Silo, Tank & Vessel Weighing Systems

Reliable level-by-weight measurement, process control and inventory visibility — designed, installed and supported by MWS.

When you can’t confidently answer “how much material is actually in that vessel?”, the knock-on effects are immediate: rushed re-orders, interrupted production, inconsistent batches, overfilling to stay safe, and avoidable waste.

Process weighing solves that problem at the source. By weighing the equipment itself (rather than estimating levels), you get live, trustworthy mass data you can use to plan, control and prove your process — day after day, shift after shift.

At Micro Weighing Solutions (MWS) we deliver silo, tank and vessel weighing systems that work in real-world production environments — where vibration, pipework forces, washdown, temperature changes and movement can destroy accuracy if the system isn’t engineered properly.

If you want stable readings you can act on, speak to an MWS process weighing specialist. We’ll listen first, then recommend the most reliable and maintainable route forward.

What silo, tank and vessel weighing gives you (in practical terms)

This isn’t “nice-to-have” instrumentation. Done properly, weighing becomes a control point that improves output and reduces risk.

Typical outcomes customers come to us for:

  • Accurate inventory visibility by weight (not guesswork) for better purchasing and production planning

  • Fewer stock-outs and fewer emergency deliveries

  • Improved batch consistency because the process is measured and repeatable

  • Reduced giveaway and overfill (especially on high-value materials)

  • Stronger traceability and reporting for audits, customers and internal QA

  • More dependable automation because the weight signal is stable enough to control from

If you already have load cells fitted but don’t trust the readings, we can help with that too. Many silo and vessel projects start with a simple brief: “make it reliable.”

Where silo, tank and vessel weighing works best

MWS designs systems for both bulk solids and liquids, across storage and process equipment, including:

  • Raw material storage silos (powders, granulates, ingredients, pellets)

  • Day bins and hoppers feeding production lines

  • Mixing and blending tanks

  • Reactors and process vessels

  • Intermediate storage vessels between process stages

  • Tank farms and bulk liquid storage

Whether you need a straightforward level-by-weight solution or a fully integrated control system, the objective is the same: measurement you can confidently base decisions on.

Why “silo weighing” is rarely just a load cell swap

On paper, silo and vessel weighing looks simple: fit load cells, connect an indicator, read the weight. In practice, most “unreliable weighing” issues come from mechanics and installation — not the sensor.

Common causes of unstable or drifting readings include:

  • Pipework forces (rigid inlet/outlet pipework pushing or pulling on the vessel)

  • Thermal expansion and contraction introducing side loads

  • Vibration from motors, agitators, conveyors or nearby plant

  • Wind load and movement on tall outdoor silos

  • Load introduction problems (the vessel isn’t loading the cells consistently)

  • Side-load, lift-off or rocking that the mounting arrangement can’t control

  • Poor signal integrity (cabling, junctioning, earthing/shielding, moisture ingress)

  • Filtration and response issues where the display looks “busy” or the control loop hunts

This is exactly why customers bring MWS in. We take an engineering-led approach so the system is designed to stay stable when the plant is running, not only when everything is static.

The MWS approach: stable readings first, then useful integration

A silo weighing project succeeds when the weight data is:

  1. mechanically valid, 2) electrically clean, and 3) configured for the real process.

1) Understand the process and constraints

We start with how you actually run the plant:

  • What material is being stored or processed?

  • Are you filling, dosing, batching, or simply monitoring inventory?

  • What accuracy and repeatability do you genuinely need?

  • What’s the environment (washdown, dust, chemicals, temperature, hazardous area)?

If something isn’t worth doing, we’ll tell you early. If it is, we’ll explain the options in plain terms.

2) Engineer the mechanics, not just the electronics

For silos, tanks and vessels, mechanics decide whether the system will behave:

  • Load cell type and capacity selected for the real loads (including dynamic effects)

  • Correct mounting arrangement to manage movement, side load and lift-off

  • Consideration of supports, base frames, anchor points and structural behaviour

  • Practical solutions for pipework, flexible connections and thermal movement

If you’re retrofitting, we can assess what’s already there and advise whether you need a rework of mounts/pipework, or a more targeted upgrade.

3) Install correctly, safely, and with maintainability in mind

A good installation is one you can live with for years:

  • Correct mounting and alignment

  • Proper junctioning and protection

  • Sensible cable routing and shielding/earthing

  • Clear access for maintenance and inspection

4) Commission and prove performance under operating conditions

We don’t stop at “it reads a number.” We aim to prove:

  • Repeatability and stability during normal operation

  • Sensible filtering (stable but responsive)

  • Correct zero/tare strategy and alarm limits

  • Confidence that the data is usable for decisions and control

5) Integrate the weighing data so it improves the operation

A vessel weighing system should support action, not just observation. Depending on your needs, we can support:

  • Local indication for operators

  • Interfaces into PLC/SCADA and production systems

  • Alarms for replenishment, low level, high level and process interlocks

  • Reporting and traceability support where required

If you want weight-based control (filling to target, dosing by weight change, batching sequences), we’ll help you build it around stable measurement.

New install, retrofit or “fix what we’ve got” — we support all three

New builds

If you’re planning a new silo, vessel or tank installation, this is the best time to get weighing right. Small design decisions early (supports, pipework strategy, access, mounting layout) can make the difference between a system that “just works” and one that becomes a constant headache.

Retrofits

If the equipment already exists, we can design an approach that respects reality: limited access, tight shutdown windows, legacy controls, and the fact that production can’t stop for long.

Troubleshooting and upgrades

If your current vessel weighing is unreliable, unsupported or obsolete, MWS can help you:

  • Stabilise readings affected by movement, vibration or pipework forces

  • Replace worn or damaged load cells and mounting hardware

  • Upgrade indicators, junction boxes and cabling for signal integrity

  • Recommission, calibrate and verify performance in production conditions

If you’re currently “working around” the system because it can’t be trusted, that’s the clearest sign it needs attention.

Hazardous areas, washdown and harsh environments

Many silo and vessel weighing applications live in difficult conditions: dust, washdown, corrosive atmospheres, temperature extremes, outdoor exposure, or hazardous areas.

MWS can specify suitable equipment and installation practices aligned to your environment — including support for hazardous-area solutions where required — so you get a weighing system that survives and performs, not one that degrades quickly.

What you can expect when you contact MWS

Customers often come to us after a poor experience elsewhere — vague advice, overcomplicated proposals, or systems that looked fine on paper but failed on site.

Our process is straightforward:

  • A proper technical conversation (not a sales script)

  • Clear recommendations and a practical plan

  • Options where appropriate (good / better / best), explained in plain terms

  • A focus on long-term reliability and maintainability

If you’re not sure what you need, that’s normal. Tell us what you’re trying to achieve and what isn’t working today — we’ll guide you to the right solution.

A quick checklist to speed up your quote or technical review

If you have these details, we can typically move faster:

  • Silo/tank/vessel type and approximate capacity

  • Number of support points / legs / existing mounts

  • Material type (powder, granulate, liquid) and any process agitation/vibration

  • Filling and discharge arrangement (especially pipework and supports)

  • Environment (washdown, outdoor, temperature, hazardous area)

  • What you want to achieve (inventory only, batching, filling control, dosing)

  • Any control system requirements (PLC/SCADA, interfaces, alarms, reporting)

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything — we can work from what you do know.

Ready to get stable, trustworthy vessel weights?

Whether you’re weighing a raw material silo, a mixing vessel, a process tank or a reactor, the goal is the same: measurement you can trust and support you can rely on.

Speak to MWS about your silo, tank or vessel weighing requirement today.
Call 0845 260 2602 or use the Contact Us form and ask for a process weighing specialist.

FAQs

We have load cells already, but the readings drift — can you help?

Yes. Unstable readings are usually caused by external forces (pipework, vibration, movement, structural behaviour) or signal issues (cabling, junction boxes, moisture, configuration).

We specialise in troubleshooting and stabilising real installations.

How accurate can silo or tank weighing be?

Accuracy depends on the application, vessel mechanics, mounting design and environment. The most dependable results come from correct load cell selection, correct installation, and commissioning/calibration under real operating conditions.

Can you integrate vessel weighing into our PLC or SCADA?

Yes. Integration is often where weighing delivers the biggest operational gains. We can support the interface approach and ensure the weight data is stable, correctly filtered and meaningful for control and reporting.

Can you retrofit load cells to an existing silo or vessel?

Yes. Many projects are retrofits or upgrades. We’ll assess the structure, supports, mounts and constraints, then recommend the most reliable approach, including any fabricated components required to install correctly.