An apparatus for sterilising material comprising a first pressure vessel, in which the pressure vessel has a vessel infeed and a vessel outlet. The vessel infeed and vessel outlet are adapted to form respective seals with the pressure vessel such that a desired pressure can be maintained in the pressure vessel, and wherein pressure vessel is depressurised such that the material deposited in the pressure vessel is sterilised and at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the pressure vessel are sterilised, such that the material deposited into the pressure vessel can be stored therein for a predetermined period.

A system of connecting a stiffener to the sidewall of a grain bin using a stud bolt having a first threaded end, a second threaded end and a feature positioned between the first end and a second end. A sealing member is positioned over the first end of the stud bolt, which in one case is a metallic washer with an affixed compressible sealing member. The first end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the sidewall and an inner nut is placed over the first end inside the sidewall. As the inner nut is tightened, the feature is pulled toward the exterior surface of the grain bin thereby causing the sealing member to form a seal with the exterior surface of the grain bin. The second end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the stiffener which is tightened onto the stud bolt.

A system of connecting a stiffener to the sidewall of a grain bin using a stud bolt having a first threaded end, a second threaded end and a feature positioned between the first end and a second end. A sealing member is positioned over the first end of the stud bolt, which in one case is a metallic washer with an affixed compressible sealing member. The first end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the sidewall and an inner nut is placed over the first end inside the sidewall. As the inner nut is tightened, the feature is pulled toward the exterior surface of the grain bin thereby causing the sealing member to form a seal with the exterior surface of the grain bin. The second end of the stud bolt is inserted into a hole in the stiffener which is tightened onto the stud bolt.

A commercial hopper grain bin shell can be assembled on a concrete pad using jacks to successively support previously coupled side-wall panel rings above the concrete pad. The assembled shell can be supported above the concrete pad with the jacks while coupling a horizontal support beam around a bottom of the assembled commercial hopper grain bin shell. An uppermost ring of vertical support legs can be coupled to the horizontal support beam. An uppermost ring of hopper panels can be coupled to the horizontal support beam. The assembled shell and the vertical support legs previously coupled to the horizontal support beam can be successively supported above the concrete pad with jacks while coupling an additional ring of vertical support legs to the bottom of the previously coupled vertical support legs. An additional ring of hopper panels can be successively coupled to the bottom of the previously coupled hopper panels.

A bulk storage bin is provided for grain and particulate material and includes a hopper bottom formed by a plurality of trapezoidal panels, each having upper and lower edges and opposite side edges. Flanges extend outwardly along each edge of each panel to provide a bolted flanged joint for adjacent panels. Plate assemblies extend along the upper edge of each panel to form a continuous 360 compression ring when the panels are assembled. Each flange has a portion extending behind the plate assemblies, with interior bolt holes. An access hole is provided at each end of each plate assembly for access to the interior bolt holes.

A bulk storage bin is provided for grain and particulate material and includes a hopper bottom formed by a plurality of trapezoidal panels, each having upper and lower edges and opposite side edges. Flanges extend outwardly along each edge of each panel to provide a bolted flanged joint for adjacent panels. Plate assemblies extend along the upper edge of each panel to form a continuous 360 compression ring when the panels are assembled. Each flange has a portion extending behind the plate assemblies, with interior bolt holes. An access hole is provided at each end of each plate assembly for access to the interior bolt holes.

A bulk storage bin is provided for grain and particulate material and includes a hopper bottom formed by a plurality of trapezoidal panels, each having upper and lower edges and opposite side edges. Flanges extend outwardly along each edge of each panel to provide a bolted flanged joint for adjacent panels. Plate assemblies extend along the upper edge of each panel to form a continuous 360 compression ring when the panels are assembled. Each flange has a portion extending behind the plate assemblies, with interior bolt holes. An access hole is provided at each end of each plate assembly for access to the interior bolt holes.

A bulk storage bin is provided for grain and particulate material and includes a hopper bottom formed by a plurality of trapezoidal panels, each having upper and lower edges and opposite side edges. Flanges extend outwardly along each edge of each panel to provide a bolted flanged joint for adjacent panels. Plate assemblies extend along the upper edge of each panel to form a continuous 360 compression ring when the panels are assembled. Each flange has a portion extending behind the plate assemblies, with interior bolt holes. An access hole is provided at each end of each plate assembly for access to the interior bolt holes.

A modular logistics system (10) including: a container (12) having a top (14), a base (16), side walls (18) and end walls (20); and a storage frame (23) housed within the container (12) in an operationally ready state, wherein in a first configuration the side walls (18) and end walls (20) are fixed to form an enclosure around the storage frame (23) for transport of the storage system (10), and in a second configuration the end panels (20) are removable to allow extension of the storage frame (23), and at least a portion of one of the side walls (18) is removable to provide access to the storage frame (23) during use, so that the container (12) and the storage frame (23) are transported and installed as a single unit.

A modular logistics system (10) including: a container (12) having a top (14), a base (16), side walls (18) and end walls (20); and a storage frame (23) housed within the container (12) in an operationally ready state, wherein in a first configuration the side walls (18) and end walls (20) are fixed to form an enclosure around the storage frame (23) for transport of the storage system (10), and in a second configuration the end panels (20) are removable to allow extension of the storage frame (23), and at least a portion of one of the side walls (18) is removable to provide access to the storage frame (23) during use, so that the container (12) and the storage frame (23) are transported and installed as a single unit.