The Mechanical Handling and Storing of Material

THE WAREHOUSING OF GRAIN 675 stored in the silos, is spouted to the longitudinal band conveyor, of which the upper strand runs from north to south, while the lower strand runs in an opposite direction The strands are so far apart that both can be simultaneously used for conveying. Thus the grain can be taken from the barges either to the northern or southern cross conveyor, by spouting either to the lower or to the upper strand of a longitudinal band conveyor. In the same way grain may be taken from either end of the silos to any one of the fifteen grain wells, as may be most convenient for the loading of ships moored at either end of the quay. Grain is distributed to the silos as soon as it is received by any one of the three band conveyors, while for discharging there are three similar bands in three of the nine tunnels below the silos. The northern section of the receiving machinery, which is shown in the cross section (Fig. 947), contains four elevators in iron casings, the diameter of the internal pulleys being 4 ft. by 28 in. The northern cross conveyor terminates in the basement of this annexe; here, too, terminates the second cross conveyor, by means of which the grain is removed from one silo to another for ventilating purposes. On the upper floor in this same annexe is a further cross band conveyor, which distributes the grain raised by the elevators to any of the longitudinal bands which lead to the silos. There are also two short longitudinal bands for feeding the grain to the wheat-cleaning department. The same annexe contains two centrifugal pumps for the purpose of removing any water which may find its way through the foundations. Provision is also made for sacking off the impurities removed from the grain in the adjoining cleaning department. Some of the motive power is also distributed from this section, the main shaft receiving 270 H.P. from the engine-house, giving off its power to the third floor above the ground by means of two wire ropes. This is the whole of the power with the exception of the 80 H.P. which is required for driving the grain-cleaning plant, and which is conveyed to this department by a separate rope. A portion of the 270 H.P. is conveyed from the main shaft just mentioned to the other end by means of another steel rope. The grain- cleaning plant is very complete, and is fitted with cockle and barley cylinders to free the grain from all intermingled seeds. The whole of this plant is divided into two sections, each of a capacity of 150 tons per hour. There are also facilities for weighing the grain as it enters and leaves the cleaning department, so as to ascertain the exact percentage of impurities removed during the cleaning. The deliveries from the band, etc., are connected with a strong exhaust, the function of which is to eliminate the dust. Some provision is made for dust rooms at the top of the building, in which the dust so removed can settle. The southern annexe is driven by separate wire ropes, as mentioned, and contains the terminus of the southern transverse conveyor, as well as a short cross conveyor similar to those on the other side which connect the elevators with the conveyors. It also contains the staircase and the hydraulic lift and appliances for sacking off the grain. There are four pits for the reception of grain arriving by rail, one at each corner of the building. These pits are each provided with two automatic weighing machines, which, in their turn, discharge the grain to the corner elevators which deliver it to the top bands. The granary at Braila contains 334 silos which have a capacity of 377,560 hl. ■(129,879 qrs.), whilst that at Galatz contains the same number of silos with a capacity •of 346,080 hl. (119,050 qrs.). The new granary at Constanza will shortly be opened for public use, and this will make the third granary which will be operated and owned by the Roumanian Government. '1'he capacity of this new granary is 441,320 hl. (151,813 qrs.). The Alexandra Grain Warehouse, Liverpool.—This is of special interest,