China has made a significant leap in agricultural technology with the official launch of its first inflatable grain silos. These advanced silos, designed to improve storage conditions, are aimed at enhancing food security in a sustainable manner.

Each of the four giant inflatable silos, towering over 36 meters in height and measuring 23 meters in diameter, is positioned at a grain reserve warehouse located in Xinjin District, Chengdu City, in the southwestern region of Sichuan Province.

According to the developer, China Grain Reserves Group (Sinograin), each silo can store an impressive 7,500 tonnes of grain, which is sufficient for feeding approximately 70,000 people for an entire year. As a demonstration of their capabilities, 30,000 tonnes of soybeans were recently placed inside these silos.

The design of these silos showcases superior insulation characteristics, evidenced by their ability to maintain an internal temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius, even when outside temperatures reach approximately 30 degrees Celsius. This data highlights the exceptional thermal insulation properties of the silos, as reported by China Media Group (CMG).

Equipped with 25 blue multifunctional cables, each silo features 14 sensors per cable to ensure optimal conditions for the grain stored inside, aiding in preserving the quality of the grains.

In terms of their performance, these inflatable silos surpass traditional models by offering enhanced thermal insulation and airtight properties, which significantly contribute to better grain preservation and quality, as noted by Xue Fei, an engineer at the Research and Design Center of Sinograin Chengdu Grain Storage Institute.

The innovative design is not entirely new; it was inspired by similar technology used in coal storage, particularly an inflatable membrane reinforced concrete spherical silo developed by the China National Coal Group. However, adaptations were necessary to suit the more stringent requirements of grain storage.

Grain storage necessitates maintaining temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius, stable humidity levels, and smooth, flat silo walls, as highlighted by Yu Pengbiao, director of the Research and Design Center of Sinograin Chengdu Grain Storage Institute. The initial coal silo design required significant technical modifications to meet these agricultural standards.

In the face of these challenges, Sinograin and China Coal formed a joint research team dedicated to the development of these air membrane silos. Their collaborative efforts over four years included consultations with experts from various research institutes and universities.

The research team adopted a dual approach to their work: they constructed smaller prototypes for testing and utilized software simulations to conduct theoretical calculations. This methodical approach led to the construction of three experimental silos, which facilitated the necessary comparisons and parameter acquisitions essential for final construction.

The pilot project of inflatable membrane reinforced concrete dome grain silos was officially initiated in March 2021, with the first completed silo being constructed in June 2022. This silo exhibited an air tightness exceeding nine times the national standard, demonstrating its exceptional thermal insulation performance as attested by Yu.