Chemithon Corporation - Karn Silos

Holland, MI

Quantum provided structural design for a steel structure to support four 36′ tall by 12′-8″ diameter cylindrical silos with their bottoms elevated 26′ above grade. Also included was the support of associated controls, equipment and conveyors. Each silo has a capacity to store 60 tons of dry urea prills. The urea is used as a feed stock to the plant to produce ammonia. The goal is to produce the ammonia on demand, rather than have large quantities of ammonia stored on site and deal with the possibility of storage or other leakage during the accompanying fill process. In considering this alternative to produce the ammonia on demand the plant at Karn looked at what was referred to as the kill zone in the Bay City area and mitigation measures that would be required to prepare for a catastrophic leak if anhydrous ammonia was stored on the site.