IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Preliminary study of the behaviour of silo gas and ventilation in a scale model of a forage silo

Abstract

The Regulation respecting occupational health and safety classifies as enclosed areas the feed silos used in an agricultural environment. Serious and often fatal accidents occur in these silage reservoirs. To take into account the risks posed by conventional tower silos, the researchers considered using scale models for their study. Their report of this preliminary research describes how they developed in the laboratory a specimen of a scale model for estimating the feasibility of using such miniature versions and of modifying them as needed. By measuring gases and other parameters, they followed the silage fermentation process in this experimental structure. Basing themselves then on data from prior ventilation tests on corn silage fermentation gases, they improved the design of the scale model silo.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0099-6130
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2008
Team:
  • Chantal Dion (IRSST)
  • Brigitte Roberge (IRSST)
  • Meryem Saadani Hassani (Polytechnique Montréal)
  • Rodrigue Gravel (IRSST)
  • Pierre Drouin (IRSST)