The Parrish and Heimbecker case for DomeSiloTM storage
The advantages of choosing ‘dome’ style storage and handling facilities compared to common concrete and steel silos are numerous. Canadian grain handler Parrish and Heimbecker’s (P&H), which moves 3mt (million metric tonnes) of grain to export and domestic markets, settled on these advantages after exhaustive comparison with the aforementioned.
Dome Technology’s reinforced concrete DomeSilosTM are extremely strong and durable. In an industry where traditional concrete and steel silos have a history of multiple failures, Dome Technology’s structures have withstood earthquakes, hurricanes, and the test of time with a zero failure history.
Dome offers 100% waterproof and low maintenance by using continuous single-ply PVC waterproofing membrane, which ensures complete waterproof protection for the reinforced concrete shell and consequently the material stored within. A mould-resistant UV protective resin coats both sides of the membrane providing long-term protection from these two common sources of degradation. No other silo option offers this type of water-proof protection.
Adding to moisture protection is insulation sandwiched between the exterior waterproofing membrane and the reinforced concrete shell, a continuous layer of polyurethane foam insulates the entire shell structure from extreme temperature fluctuations, preventing structural fatigue and long- term damage. The continuous layer of insulation keeps the product dry by eliminating condensation problems.
Compared with the storage limitations of a traditional silo with a cylindrical wall and conical or flat roof, the entire interior of the DomeSiloTM can be used to contain the stored product, thereby increasing overall storage capacity for any given diameter and height. P&H operations worked with Dome engineering to create a unique conveyer system to maximize performance handling at its Hamilton, Ontario facility.
P&H realized considerable financial savings with the elimination of deep foundations required for other storage types. The superior strength of the DomeSiloTM provides a high tolerance for differential settlement. Additionally the reinforced concrete DomeSiloTM uniquely maintains structural integrity in extreme heat and fire conditions. Its designed strength provides superior explosion containment.
The DomeSiloTM building process is extremely efficient. Inflation of the DomeSiloTM membrane takes just a few hours, after which all construction processes continue inside the inflated dome, safe from outside weather conditions. This protected environment allows construction in adverse weather and enhances safer, faster completion of the project. Adding to this is a positive environmental impact. The efficient double- curvature structure of a DomeSiloTM conserves construction materials by using less materials to enclose more storage volume than any other comparative structure. During construction, as well as during operation, the DomeSiloTM more efficiently contains potentially harmful environmental contaminants.
To mark the official opening of Parrish and Heimbecker’s (P&H) new terminal on the Hamilton Port Authority’s (HPA) Pier 10 the company held a reception and facility tour on 4 August last year. Twin storage domes capable of housing more than 60,000 tonnes of agricultural products are set to boost grain volumes in the Port of Hamilton. The new Parrish and Heimbecker (P&H) terminal on Pier 10 will be its primary centre for moving grains and other agricultural commodities. The facilities will primarily be used for export purposes, but will also handle shipments from the US and Western Canada destined for local processors.
In addition to handling the traditional coarse grains that move through the port, the 90 foot high by 190 foot diameter domes have the flexibility to handle protein meals, sugar, salt and granular fertilizer. An integral part of the terminal design is the specialized under floor conveyor system connecting the two domes, which, in conjunction with other on-site conveyor systems, will dramatically increase loading and discharge speed for trucks, rail cars and ships, making the 380,000ft2 terminal one of the most efficient on the Great Lakes.
P&H, with over 100 years of agribusiness experience, has committed over $30 million to the fully secured terminal, which has direct access to marine, road and rail including full Seaway draught, truck scale staging and a 25-unit railcar capacity. The terminal also has considerable available space to accommodate future expansion.
The domes, which were constructed by Dome Technology of Idaho Falls, ID, incorporate a floor level high-speed conveyor system that, compared to any other Canadian export elevator in the Great Lakes, will improve loading and discharge times for all modes of transportation by as much as 20–25%, according to
P&H. In addition, the flat storage allows P&H to handle proteins that do not work that well through a silo and, since the facility is designed to be less harsh on product handling, it has attracted new customers.
“This facility is probably the most efficient on the east coast,” said Bruce Wood, president and CEO of the Hamilton Port Authority. “With direct dockage and the slip, four ships can be accommodated at once.”
The domes are constructed by inflating fabric airforms and subsequently spraying the inside fabric with polyurethane foam to develop the initial rigidity, then applying rebar and continuous spray concrete to form the completed structure. Compared with large conventional free span structures the domes’ construction costs are lower. Other benefits include high energy efficiency, rapid construction and better space utilization as bearing walls and columns are not required. During the past 30 years hundreds of similar domes have been built around the world.
Bruce Hodgson, director of market development at St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation said,“Parrish and Heimbecker has recognized the efficiencies of the marine mode with the opening of their state-of-the-art facility in the Port of Hamilton. By including our system in their supply chain they are well positioned to work closely with their suppliers and to increase their market share by providing their customers with a consistent and reliable service while adding value. We look forward to working with them in the future.”
Bill Parrish Jr., president and CEO, P&H paid tribute to Rob Bryson, director of Eastern Canadian Grain Operations for bringing the facility in on time and budget in a two- to three- year time frame. Parrish told the audience,“We’ve been around a long time, we’ve seen a lot and learned a lot. I think our stability is a key point in our success. Our key management team has been together for over ten years and most of us closer to twenty. We’re old but we’re not rusty and this is a vibrant time for the agribusiness. Over the past five years P&H have purchased or constructed five flour mills and now have seven mills. The seven mills consume 1mt of wheat per year equalling 33 of the newly constructed dome’s capacity.”