---
title: "Bin"
description: "A bin is a small-to-mid-size bulk-solids storage vessel — the term is used loosely in industry and overlaps with hopper and silo. Typical bin volumes range from a few cubic metres to a few hundred cubic metres; anything larger tends to be called a silo, anything smaller a hopper."
canonical_url: "https://sylio.co/glossary/bin"
last_updated: "2026-06-28T02:29:32.561Z"
---

A **bin** is a small-to-mid-size bulk-solids storage vessel — the term is used loosely in industry and overlaps with [hopper](/glossary/hopper) and [silo](/glossary/silo). Typical bin volumes range from a few cubic metres to a few hundred cubic metres; anything larger tends to be called a silo, anything smaller a hopper.

## Usage examples

- *Day bin* — holds one day's worth of feed material above a downstream process
- *Surge bin* — buffers flow variation between two process steps
- *Charging bin* — feeds reactor or kiln
- *Receiving bin* — accepts product from a pneumatic-conveying system

## Flow problems

Bins suffer the same [bridging](/glossary/bridging) and [rat-holing](/glossary/rat-holing) as larger silos and hoppers, and respond to the same range of remedies including [sonic horns](/glossary/sonic-horn). The smaller size makes [bin vibrators](/glossary/bin-vibrator) particularly competitive on bins under ~5 m³.

## Related terms

- [Hopper](/glossary/hopper)
- [Silo](/glossary/silo)
- [Bunker / coal bunker](/glossary/bunker-coal-bunker)
- [Bridging](/glossary/bridging)