What is the difference between a Hopper and a Silo

[songkarn]

What is the difference between a Hopper and a Silo?

 

[Artisi]

Basically, a hopper is used to collect and hold material for a temporary period whereas a silo is usually used to store something for a period of time.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[MJCronin]

I believe that the difference is one of geometry.

A hopper has a tapered cross section, with a discharge at the bottom.

A silo is prismatic (no change in cross section).

Hoppers are usually found at the bottom of silos.

A hopper can function alone without a silo.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hopper

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/silo

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[drawoh]

songkarn,

This could be the bolts versus screws discussion all over again.

If you are applying terminology, the two answers above are good. If you are looking at somebody's drawing, the thing is whatever they named it.

--
JHG

 

[thaidavid40]

@songkarn,
Sawasdii Khrap,
These definitions above give good distinctions between the two words. However, they are often used interchangeably in both speech, and writing. This is especially true of non-engineers. If you are in doubt as to what a new item you are workin on should be called, Google images of that item, and use the term you see listed most frequently.
Yin Dii Maak,
Dave

Thaidavid

 

[TheTick]

Hoppers are for feeding an active process. Silos are for storage.

For instance: Resin pellets can be stored for a long time in a silo. The extruder used to process them has a hopper feeding the extruder.

 

[DerbyLoco]

Hopper open, silo closed would be my take although I would not argue with the other definitions.