--- title: Improving Silo Performance and Safety with Air Cannon Technology description: Air cannon systems prevent the buildup of materials in transfer chutes, storage vessels, and process equipment such as preheater towers and clinker coolers. image: https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/aircannonshurricaneapplicationhightempsmartseriesnozzlescementplant.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/improving-silo-performance-and-safety-with-air-cannon-technology#main-content) [![Martin Engineering](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/Martin%20Engineering%20Logos/martin-sig_white.png "Martin Engineering")](https://www.martin-eng.com/) ## Problem Solved Paper call 800.544.2947 # Improving Silo Performance and Safety with Air Cannon Technology [Martin Engineering](https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/author/martin-engineering) May 15 2026 [Air Cannons](https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/tag/air-cannons) ### PROBLEM ![TyphoonPSP_1](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TyphoonPSP_1.jpg?width=250&height=190&name=TyphoonPSP_1.jpg)The Vedanta facility in Lanjigarh currently produces approx. 2 million tons of alumina each year. To feed the ball mill, bauxite bulk material is stored in four large bunker silos, which were experiencing accumulation issues and blockages. Maintenance personnel had turned to manually hammering on the vessel walls and poking the material in an attempt to dislodge it, but their efforts were largely ineffective, while causing damage to the silo walls. The situation was taking valuable manpower away from more productive tasks, slowing down production and introducing potential safety hazards. The company needed to find a solution to prevent future silo damage and [improve material flow](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/465/bulk-material-flow-aids).   ### SOLUTION ![TyphoonPSP_2](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TyphoonPSP_2.jpg?width=265&height=172&name=TyphoonPSP_2.jpg)Technicians from Martin Engineering India conducted a thorough review of the process and recommended a series of air cannons to facilitate material flow and minimize accumulation. The team installed ten 150-liter [Typhoon Air Cannons](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product/149/typhoon-air-cannon) in strategic locations on each silo, plus an additional 20 on transfer chutes, for a total of 60 units. The low-maintenance designs feature low compressed air usage and eliminate stress on the silos and support structures caused by manual cleaning. The centrally-located valve can be removed in one easy step and replaced within minutes, eliminating the need to remove the tank from the vessel for service. The design features the simple one-line plumbing of a traditional solenoid operation.   ### RESULTS ![typhoon3](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/typhoon3.jpg?width=320&height=159&name=typhoon3.jpg)After 7 months of operation, the air cannons have proven themselves by dramatically reducing material buildup and eliminating blockages. The manpower previously needed to address the accumulation has been reassigned to more productive work, improving overall efficiency. Further damage to the silo structures from hammering on the exteriors is prevented by the powerful blast of air from each cannon, fired in sequence for maximum effect. The low air consumption is a significant benefit in this challenging application, meeting the plant's needs while staying within budget. Operators report that they're very satisfied with Martin Engineering products and services.  [![Learn More About Improving Material Flow](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5156573/interactive-212960330623.png)](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL10xEZvzJrgwi4j%2B3MkFMbprGHV7YP9nIQxMcR%2FSQHTvZQxxczhUXbJAw4XkWADYgkEwS4%2FYYPVVHNzTBJ%2BrHHmJOEgL9F1pv2IzpE%2FfSPi%2BVOX2iD7FYyd3IUMj72xEAKotZqU0y6OKu3Yg8WPwCyMN3YgcKEJQcJE0d1fX2%2BW150fZAcV%2BPOnVpdmarUMXyHjLYfi1%2Bq5swK%2FhqzvCeWZd2LUJk6TSjdaBsQU%2BdMN0Q%3D&webInteractiveContentId=212960330623&portalId=5156573) [![Martin Engineering](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/Martin%20Engineering%20Logos/martin-sig-rgb_300px-wide.png "Martin Engineering")](https://www.martin-eng.com/) Martin Engineering is the world leader in making bulk materials handling cleaner, safer, and more productive since 1944. © 2025 Martin Engineering Company. All rights reserved. ###### SOLUTIONS [Belt Cleaners](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/463/conveyor-belt-cleaners) [Transfer Point Products](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/469/conveyor-transfer-point-solutions) [Air Cannons](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/465/bulk-material-flow-aids) [Vibration](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/468/industrial-vibration-solutions) ###### RESOURCES [Learning Center](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/learningcenter?hsLang=en) [Training](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en-us/training-options?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://blog.martin-eng.com/?hsLang=en) [Videos](https://www.youtube.com/@martinengineering) ###### CONTACT US 800.544.2947 [info@martin-eng.com](mailto:info@martin-eng.com) [martin-eng.com](https://www.martin-eng.com/)   ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Martin Engineering", "url" : "https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/author/martin-engineering" }, "dateModified" : "2026-05-15T18:14:01.388Z", "datePublished" : "2026-05-15T18:09:35.000Z", "headline" : "Improving Silo Performance and Safety with Air Cannon Technology", "image" : [ "https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/aircannonshurricaneapplicationhightempsmartseriesnozzlescementplant.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/improving-silo-performance-and-safety-with-air-cannon-technology", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB-1.png" }, "name" : "Martin Engineering" } } ```