Concrete carbonation curing system, carbonation curing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a concrete carbonation curing system, a carbonation curing method, and a program capable of suppressing an electricity rate in carbonation curing.SOLUTION: A concrete carbonation curing system S includes a curing tank T in which concrete C to be subjected to carbonation curing can be placed, a measurement unit 20 capable of measuring at least one of temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T, an adjustment unit 10 capable of supplying carbon dioxide into the curing tank T and adjusting a state measurable by the measurement unit 20 among states inside the curing tank T, and a control unit 310 that controls the adjustment unit 10 based on a measurement result of the measurement unit 20, and the control unit 310 acquires supply and demand related information based on power supply and demand and controls the adjustment unit 10 based on the supply and demand related information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a concrete carbonation curing system, a carbonation curing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Carbonation curing techniques for fixing carbon dioxide in concrete are known. Patent Document 1 is an example of this type of technology. Patent Document 1 describes a carbonation curing system used to produce carbonated concrete, which uses a thermal power plant as a carbon dioxide gas supply source for carbonation curing a material contained in a carbonation curing tank whose interior is a shielded space, and is equipped with an exhaust gas supply means for supplying exhaust gas emitted from the thermal power plant into the carbonation curing tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-126623 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in order to carry out carbonation curing efficiently, it is preferable to maintain at least one of the temperature and humidity in the curing tank at an appropriate level, and there has been a problem in that a large amount of electricity is consumed for temperature and humidity adjustment, which increases the electricity bill for carbonation curing. Also, it has been virtually impossible to distinguish whether the electricity is derived from natural energy sources such as solar power generation or from other sources such as thermal power generation or nuclear power generation.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a concrete carbonation curing system, a carbonation curing method, and a program that can reduce electricity costs for carbonation curing and can operate using electricity derived from natural energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The concrete carbonation curing system of the present invention comprises a curing tank in which concrete to be carbonated cured can be placed; a measurement unit capable of measuring at least one of the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank; an adjustment unit capable of supplying carbon dioxide into the curing tank and adjusting at least one of the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank; and a control unit that controls the adjustment unit based on the measurement results of the measurement unit, wherein the control unit acquires supply and demand related information based on electricity supply and demand and controls the adjustment unit based on the supply and demand related information.

[0007] (1) The concrete carbonation curing system can reduce electricity costs for carbonation curing and can be operated using electricity derived from natural energy sources.

[0008] (2) In the concrete carbonation curing system described in (1), the measurement unit includes a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature inside the curing tank and a humidity measurement unit that measures the humidity inside the curing tank. The adjustment unit includes a carbon dioxide supply unit that supplies carbon dioxide into the curing tank, a temperature adjustment unit that can heat or cool the inside of the curing tank, and a humidity adjustment unit that can humidify or dehumidify the inside of the curing tank. The control unit includes a measurement result acquisition unit that acquires the measurement results by the temperature measurement unit and the measurement results by the humidity measurement unit, a supply and demand related information acquisition unit that acquires the supply and demand related information, and a temperature and humidity control unit that controls the operation of the temperature adjustment unit and the humidity adjustment unit based on the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit. If the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit are not within a range suitable for carbonation curing, the temperature and humidity control unit is capable of executing an adjustment mode that controls the adjustment unit to bring the measurement results within the range. The adjustment mode is executed based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition unit.

[0009] (2) The concrete carbonation curing system can reduce electricity costs while performing carbonation curing more efficiently. It can also be operated using electricity derived from natural energy sources.

[0010] (3) In the concrete carbonation curing system described in (2), the supply and demand related information includes information on the market price of electricity, and the temperature and humidity control unit executes the adjustment mode when the market price of electricity is lower than a predetermined value.

[0011] (3) The concrete carbonation curing system can perform carbonation curing more efficiently while reducing electricity costs for carbonation curing.

[0012] (4) In the concrete carbonation curing system described in (2), the supply and demand related information includes information on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power, and the temperature and humidity control unit executes the adjustment mode when the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power is lower than a predetermined value.

[0013] (4) The concrete carbonation curing system can perform carbonation curing more efficiently while reducing carbon dioxide emissions and electricity costs during carbonation curing.

[0014] (5) In the concrete carbonation curing system according to the present invention described in any one of (2) to (4), the measurement unit further has a carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit that measures the carbon dioxide concentration inside the curing tank, the measurement result acquisition unit is capable of acquiring the measurement results by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit, and the control unit has a carbon dioxide supply control unit that is capable of executing a carbon dioxide concentration adjustment mode that controls the operation of the carbon dioxide supply unit based on the measurement results measured by the measurement result acquisition unit, and the carbon dioxide supply control unit executes the carbon dioxide concentration adjustment mode based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition unit.

[0015] (5) The concrete carbonation curing system can perform carbonation curing more efficiently while reducing electricity costs for carbonation curing.

[0016] (6) In the concrete carbonation curing system described in (5), the control unit has a material age information acquisition unit capable of acquiring material age information of the concrete, and a quality determination unit that determines the quality of the concrete based on the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit, the humidity measured by the humidity measurement unit, the carbon dioxide concentration measured by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit, and the material age information of the concrete acquired by the material age information acquisition unit inside the curing tank.

[0017] (6) The concrete carbonation curing system can reduce electricity costs for carbonation curing while ensuring the required quality of the concrete to be carbonated.

[0018] (7) In the concrete carbonation curing system according to any one of (1) to (6), the curing tank is a tent capable of containing the concrete.

[0019] (7) The concrete carbonation curing system can form a curing tank at low cost and also reduce electricity costs for carbonation curing.

[0020] (8) In the concrete carbonation curing system according to any one of (1) to (6), the curing tank is formed below in the vertical direction with respect to a reference plane and has a concave shape in which the concrete can be placed.

[0021] In the concrete carbonation curing system (8), the carbon dioxide supplied above the reference surface has a higher specific gravity than air, so it descends to the curing tank located below the reference surface. This reduces the energy required to send carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide supply source and also reduces the electricity costs for carbonation curing.

[0022] (9) The concrete carbonation curing system according to the present invention further includes a supply and demand related information database that stores the supply and demand related information, and the supply and demand related information acquisition unit acquires the supply and demand related information stored in the supply and demand related information database.

[0023] (9) The concrete carbonation curing system can reduce electricity costs for carbonation curing.

[0024] (10) The carbonation curing method of the present invention is a carbonation curing method using the concrete carbonation curing system described in (1), and includes a placement step of placing the concrete in the curing tank, a supply and demand related information acquisition step of acquiring the supply and demand related information by the control unit, and a temperature and humidity control step of controlling the adjustment unit based on the supply and demand related information acquired in the supply and demand related information acquisition step.

[0025] The carbonation curing method (10) can reduce electricity costs for carbonation curing. In addition, it can be operated using electricity derived from natural energy.

[0026] (11) The program according to the present invention is a program executed by the control unit of the concrete carbonation curing system described in (1), and executes a measurement result acquisition function to acquire the measurement results of the measurement unit, a temperature and humidity determination function to determine whether the temperature and humidity measured by the measurement unit acquired by the measurement result acquisition function are within a predetermined range, a temperature and humidity control function to control the operation of the adjustment unit based on the determination result of the temperature and humidity determination function, and a supply and demand related information acquisition function to acquire the supply and demand related information, and the measurement result acquisition function, the temperature and humidity determination function, and the temperature and humidity control function are executed based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition function.

[0027] Program (11) can reduce electricity costs for carbonation curing and can be operated using electricity derived from natural energy sources. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a concrete carbonation curing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration around a curing tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a graph showing supply and demand related information according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a supply and demand related information server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a supply and demand related information server according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a carbonation curing method using a concrete carbonation curing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart for explaining a concrete quality determination process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature and humidity adjustment process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a carbon dioxide supply process according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration around the curing tank according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control device according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device according to a modified example. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a carbon dioxide supply process according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] <Concrete carbonation curing system> A concrete carbonation curing system S according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The concrete carbonation curing system S is a system for storing and carbonating concrete C, such as manufactured precast concrete. The concrete C is not limited to precast concrete. For example, the concrete C may be concrete poured on-site. For convenience of explanation in this specification, the concrete C will be described as including a plurality of concrete pieces stacked together, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the concrete carbonation curing system S includes a curing tank T, an adjustment unit 10, a measurement unit 20, a control device 30, and a supply and demand related information server 40 serving as a supply and demand related information database.

[0030] The curing tank T is a structure for placing concrete to be carbonation cured. The curing tank T is a tent that is placed on the ground G as shown in FIG. 2 and can contain concrete C. Because the curing tank T according to this embodiment is a tent, it is easy to set up, which reduces initial costs. Furthermore, because the curing tank T according to this embodiment is a tent, it is easy to dismantle, so it can also be used for temporary carbonation curing. For example, the curing tank T according to this embodiment can be used when curing concrete to be poured on site at a construction site or the like.

[0031] The network N is realized by, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a mobile phone network, or a combination of these. The network N connects the control device 30 and the supply and demand related information server 40 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0032] <Adjustment part> The adjustment unit 10 is configured to be able to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, humidity, etc. inside the curing tank T. The adjustment unit 10 according to this embodiment is capable of supplying carbon dioxide into the curing tank T and adjusting the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T. In the following description, humidity includes relative humidity and absolute humidity. However, in carbonation curing, it is more preferable to maintain the relative humidity within an appropriate range. The appropriate range of relative humidity is preferably, for example, 20% to 50%. The configuration of the adjustment unit is not limited thereto, and the adjustment unit 10 may be capable of supplying carbon dioxide into the curing tank T and adjusting at least one of the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T. The adjustment unit 10 includes, for example, a temperature and humidity adjustment unit 11, a carbon dioxide supply unit 12, a gas circulation device 13, and a circulation flow path F. The circulation flow path F is configured by piping or the like and is capable of circulating gas between the inside of the curing tank T and the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 11.

[0033] The circulation flow path F in this embodiment connects the curing tank T and the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 11, the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 11 and the carbon dioxide supply unit 12, the carbon dioxide supply unit 12 and the gas circulation device 13, and the gas circulation device 13 and the curing tank T so that gas can flow therethrough.

[0034] The temperature and humidity adjusting unit 11 is capable of performing a temperature and humidity adjusting operation to adjust either the temperature or humidity inside the curing tank T. More specifically, the temperature and humidity adjusting unit 11 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a known temperature adjusting device 11a and a known humidity adjusting device 11b shown in FIG. 3 . The temperature adjusting device 11a is a device that can heat or cool the inside of the curing tank T. The humidity adjusting device 11b is a device that can humidify or dehumidify the inside of the curing tank T.

[0035] The carbon dioxide supply unit 12 is a device capable of supplying carbon dioxide for carbonation curing of the concrete C into the curing tank T via a circulation flow path F. The carbon dioxide supply unit 12 is placed on the ground G and has, for example, a supply flow rate adjustment unit (not shown) and a carbon dioxide cylinder and a gas cylinder for concentration adjustment (not shown). The gas for concentration adjustment is, for example, nitrogen gas. The supply flow rate adjustment unit has an internal valve (not shown) that adjusts the flow rate from the carbon dioxide cylinder and the flow rate from the gas cylinder for concentration adjustment by opening and closing the valve, thereby making it possible to adjust the carbon dioxide concentration.

[0036] 1 and 2, the gas circulation device 13 is a device that circulates the gas inside the curing tank T through the circulation flow path F. The gas circulation device 13 has, for example, a fan, and circulates the gas inside the curing tank T through the circulation flow path F by blowing air with the fan. The configuration of the gas circulation device 13 is not limited to this.

[0037] The adjusting unit 10 according to this embodiment adjusts the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T by using the temperature adjusting device 11a and the humidity adjusting device 11b to adjust the temperature and humidity of the gas circulated in the circulation flow path F by the gas circulation device 13. The configuration of the adjusting unit 10 is not limited to this.

[0038] <Measurement section> The measurement unit 20 is configured to be able to measure the internal state of the curing tank T. More specifically, the measurement unit 20 is able to measure the carbon dioxide concentration and at least one of the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T. The measurement unit 20 according to this embodiment is able to measure the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity inside the curing tank T. The measurement unit 20 has at least one of a temperature sensor 20a as a temperature measurement unit and a humidity sensor 20b as a humidity measurement unit, and a carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20c. The measurement unit 20 according to this embodiment has the temperature sensor 20a, the humidity sensor 20b, and the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20c.

[0039] The temperature sensor 20a is a known temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature inside the curing tank T.

[0040] The humidity sensor 20b is a known humidity sensor capable of measuring the humidity inside the curing tank T.

[0041] The carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 20c is configured to measure the carbon dioxide concentration for carbon dioxide supply control that supplies carbon dioxide to the inside of the curing tank T. The carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 20c has a known carbon dioxide concentration meter (not shown).

[0042] <Control device> The control device 30 is configured to perform various controls of the concrete carbonation curing system S. For example, the control device 30 controls the adjustment unit 10 based on the measurement results of the measurement unit 20. An example of the hardware configuration of the control device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 30 includes a processor 300, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 301, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302, a bus 303, an input / output interface 304, an input unit 305, an output unit 306, an auxiliary storage device 307, a communication unit 308, and a power supply 309.

[0043] The processor 300 is a central part of a computer that performs various calculations, controls, and other processes required for the operation of the control device 30. The processor 300 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 300 may be a combination of two or more of these. The processor 300 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator or the like.

[0044] The processor 300 controls each unit to realize various functions of the control device 30 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 301, RAM 302, etc. The processor 300 executes processing based on the programs. Note that part or all of the programs may be incorporated into the circuitry of the processor 300.

[0045] The processor 300, ROM 301, and RAM 302 are connected to one another via a bus 303. An input / output interface 304 is also connected to this bus 303. An input unit 305, an output unit 306, an auxiliary storage device 307, a communication unit 308, and a power supply 309 are connected to the input / output interface 304.

[0046] The input unit 305 and output unit 306 are user interfaces electrically connected to the input / output interface 304 via wire or wirelessly. The input unit 305 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and inputs various information in response to user instructions. The output unit 306 is composed of, for example, a display for displaying images and a speaker for amplifying audio, and outputs images and audio.

[0047] The auxiliary storage device 307 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The auxiliary storage device 307 stores various information such as programs and setting values ​​related to various processes. The auxiliary storage device 307 stores various information such as judgment reference values ​​for concrete quality judgment processing, temperature and humidity judgment processing, carbon dioxide supply judgment processing, etc., as well as programs.

[0048] The communication unit 308 is a device that allows the processor 300 to communicate with other devices (for example, the adjustment unit 10, the measurement unit 20, and the supply and demand related information server 40) via a network N. The communication unit 308 may also be able to communicate with an administrator terminal (not shown) for an external administrator via a network (not shown).

[0049] The power supply 309 is configured to be connected to an external power supply so as to be able to supply power to each unit of the control device 30. Note that the configuration capable of supplying power to the power supply is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a battery.

[0050] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the control device 30. The control unit 310, which is a functional component of the control device 30 that executes various controls of the control device 30, is realized by the processor 300 that executes arithmetic processing by executing programs stored in the ROM 301, RAM 302, auxiliary storage device 307, etc. Programs related to carbonation curing executed by the control unit 310 include a concrete quality determination process, a temperature and humidity determination process, and a carbon dioxide supply process. Details will be given later.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 310 of this embodiment has a supply and demand related information acquisition unit (supply and demand related information acquisition function) 311, a supply and demand situation determination unit (supply and demand situation determination function) 312, a measurement result acquisition unit (measurement result acquisition function) 313, a temperature and humidity determination unit (temperature and humidity determination function) 314, a temperature and humidity control unit (temperature and humidity control function) 315, a material age information acquisition unit (material age information acquisition function) 316, a concrete quality determination unit (concrete quality determination function) 317, a carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318, and a carbon dioxide supply control unit 319.

[0052] The supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311 executes a process of acquiring supply and demand related information held by the supply and demand related information server 40 (described later) via the communication unit 308. The supply and demand related information is information based on the supply and demand of electricity. The supply and demand related information includes information on the market price of electricity that fluctuates based on the supply and demand of electricity as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the market price of electricity that fluctuates based on the supply and demand of electricity over a one-month period, and shows, for example, the market prices of electricity at two electric power companies. The vertical axis indicates the market price (yen / kWh), and the horizontal axis indicates the date. Also shown is a predetermined value as a reference value for determining the supply and demand situation (described later).

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the market price of electricity is not constant but fluctuates depending on the demand for electricity. Therefore, the cost of carbonation curing can be reduced by consuming electricity for carbonation curing when the market price of electricity is low. The concrete carbonation curing system S according to this embodiment is configured to determine the timing when the demand for electricity is low and the market price of electricity is low, based on the electricity market price information included in the supply and demand related information, and to control carbonation curing accordingly.

[0054] Furthermore, when the market price of electricity is low, the proportion of electricity generated from renewable energy sources increases in the electricity transmitted and distributed. Renewable energy sources include wind power and geothermal power, which are baseload sources unaffected by seasons and weather, as well as solar power and wind power, which are affected by seasons and weather. Therefore, renewable energy sources can be affected by seasons and weather. Meanwhile, normal electricity demand is supplied by baseload sources such as thermal power, nuclear power, the aforementioned hydroelectric power, and geothermal power. Therefore, there may be periods of time when renewable energy sources are oversupplied, depending on seasons, weather, and other factors. During these periods, electricity generated from solar power and other sources becomes surplus electricity. For example, when a solar power plant starts operating, there is an oversupply, and electricity rates fall due to the supply-demand balance. In other words, if electricity rates fall, it can be said that the electricity is generated from solar power.

[0055] Therefore, the concrete carbonation curing system S according to this embodiment is configured to control carbonation curing using electricity derived from natural energy, based on the electricity market price information included in the supply and demand related information. The electricity derived from natural energy is not limited to electricity generated by solar power generation, but may also be electricity generated by wind power, for example.

[0056] The determination of whether the electricity demand is low and the market price of electricity is falling is performed by the supply and demand situation determination unit 312, which will be described later. For example, the predetermined value shown in Fig. 5 is determined in advance, and the determination is made based on whether the price is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The predetermined value is, for example, 0.01 yen / kWh. However, the determination of whether the market price of electricity is falling and the predetermined value for the determination are not limited to this.

[0057] The supply and demand related information may include information on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power of electricity supplied based on power demand. In this case, the system may be configured to determine, based on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power, when the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power is low, and perform control for carbonation curing. Also, the system may be configured to determine, based on the market price of electricity and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power, when the market price and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power are low, and perform control for carbonation curing.

[0058] The determination of whether the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power is decreasing is performed by the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 (described later), which determines whether the amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The predetermined value is, for example, 0.1 kg / kWh. However, the determination of whether the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power is decreasing and the predetermined value for the determination are not limited to this.

[0059] The supply and demand situation determination unit 312 executes a process of determining the supply and demand situation based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311. Specifically, the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 determines whether the market price of electricity based on the power supply and demand is lower than a predetermined value, based on a determination value related to the above-mentioned electricity market price information as shown in Fig. 5.

[0060] When the supply and demand related information is information on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power of electricity supplied based on the electricity supply and demand, the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 may determine whether the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power of electricity supplied based on the electricity supply and demand is lower than a predetermined value based on the determination value related to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power described above, or may determine whether the market price of electricity and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit power are lower than their respective predetermined values.

[0061] The measurement result acquisition unit 313 executes a process of acquiring the measurement results measured by the measurement unit 20 via the communication unit 308. For example, the measurement result acquisition unit 313 executes a process of acquiring temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 20a of the measurement unit 20 via the communication unit 308. The measurement result acquisition unit 313 executes a process of acquiring humidity information measured by the humidity sensor 20b of the measurement unit 20 via the communication unit 308. The measurement result acquisition unit 313 executes a process of acquiring carbon dioxide concentration information measured by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20c of the measurement unit 20 via the communication unit 308.

[0062] The temperature and humidity determination unit 314 determines whether the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 20a of the measurement unit 20 is within a preset range. The temperature and humidity determination unit 314 determines whether the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 20b of the measurement unit 20 is within a preset range.

[0063] The temperature and humidity control unit 315 executes the adjustment mode based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311. The adjustment mode is executed by the temperature and humidity control unit 315, and when the measurement result acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit 313 is not within a range suitable for carbonation curing, the adjustment mode controls the temperature and humidity adjustment operation of the adjustment unit 10 so that the measurement result is within the range. When executing the adjustment mode, the temperature and humidity control unit 315 may perform temperature adjustment and humidity adjustment simultaneously, or may perform one adjustment first and then the other adjustment.

[0064] For example, when the supply and demand related information includes information on the market price of electricity, and the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 determines that the market price of electricity based on the power supply and demand is lower than a predetermined value, the temperature and humidity control unit 315 executes the adjustment mode.

[0065] When the temperature and humidity determination unit 314 determines that the measurement result by the temperature sensor 20a of the measurement unit 20 is a temperature lower than a preset range during execution of the adjustment mode, the temperature and humidity control unit 315 controls the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 11 of the adjustment unit 10 to heat the inside of the curing tank T. For example, when the temperature and humidity determination unit 314 determines that the measurement result by the humidity sensor 20b of the measurement unit 20 is a humidity higher than a preset range during execution of the adjustment mode, the temperature and humidity control unit 315 controls the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 11 of the adjustment unit 10 to dehumidify the inside of the curing tank T.

[0066] When the supply and demand related information includes information on the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit of power and the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 determines that the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit of power is lower than a predetermined value, the temperature and humidity control unit 315 may execute the adjustment mode. Also, when the supply and demand related information includes information on the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit of power and the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 determines that the market price of electricity and the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit of power are lower than their respective predetermined values, the temperature and humidity control unit 315 may execute the adjustment mode.

[0067] The material age information acquisition unit 316 executes a material age information management process for managing material age information and a material age information acquisition process for acquiring concrete age information. In the material age information management process, the material age information acquisition unit 316 executes a process for storing the timing when carbonation curing started, acquiring the time since the start of carbonation curing as the material age, and storing it in the auxiliary storage device 307. The material age information acquisition unit 316 executes the material age information acquisition process during the concrete quality determination process by the concrete quality determination unit 317, which will be described later, and acquires the material age information stored in the auxiliary storage device 307.

[0068] The concrete quality determination unit 317 executes a process for determining the quality of the concrete C placed inside the curing tank T. For example, the concrete quality determination unit 317 calculates an estimated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete, and determines whether the estimated amount exceeds a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount can be an amount according to the quality required for the concrete C.

[0069] The estimated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete is calculated using the relational expression described below. For example, the concrete quality determination unit 317 calculates the estimated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete C inside the curing tank T based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 20a, the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 20b, the carbon dioxide concentration measured by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20c, and the concrete age information acquired by the age information acquisition unit 316. The concrete quality determination unit 317 determines the quality of the concrete C based on the calculated estimated amount.

[0070] In this embodiment, the interior of the curing tank T is used as a curing space, and the carbonation depth of the concrete C is calculated using the following relational equation between the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and age of the concrete in the curing space, and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete. In the following explanation, relative humidity is used as humidity in the following equation, but absolute humidity may also be used.

number

number

number

number

number

[0071] In the formula 1, d represents the carbonation depth (mm). hum represents the humidity correction coefficient, which is calculated using Equation 2. In Equation 2, H represents the humidity (%) of the curing space. temp represents the temperature correction coefficient, which is calculated using Equation 3. In Equation 3, T represents the temperature (°C) of the curing space. CO2 represents the carbon dioxide concentration correction coefficient, which is calculated using Equation 4. C in Equation 4 represents the carbon dioxide concentration (%). K age represents the material age correction coefficient, and is calculated using Equation 5. A in Equation 5 represents the material age (days). t in Equation 1 represents the curing period (days). K in Equation 1 r indicates the carbonation rate at a temperature of 50°C, humidity of 40%, and carbon dioxide concentration of 15%. r is measured in advance.

[0072] The carbonation rate is measured by measuring the carbonation depth and dividing the measured value by the 1 / 2 power of the curing period. The carbonation depth is measured in accordance with JISA1152 "Method for measuring the carbonation depth of concrete."

[0073] The estimated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in concrete C is calculated by multiplying the carbonation depth d of carbon dioxide fixed in concrete C calculated using the above relational expression by the surface area of ​​concrete C. However, the method of calculating the estimated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in concrete C is not limited to this.

[0074] Therefore, the measurement results of the internal state of the curing tank T by the measurement unit 20 include the temperature measurement results by the temperature sensor 20a, the humidity measurement results by the humidity sensor 20b, and the carbon dioxide concentration measurement results by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20c inside the curing tank T.

[0075] The concrete quality determination unit 317 determines the quality of the concrete C based on whether the calculated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete C exceeds a predetermined amount. More specifically, if the amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete C is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the concrete quality determination unit 317 determines that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable. If the amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete C is less than the predetermined amount, the concrete quality determination unit 317 determines that the quality of the concrete C is unacceptable. The concrete quality determination process will be described later.

[0076] When the concrete quality determination unit 317 determines that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable, it executes a process of outputting the result. For example, when the concrete quality determination unit 317 determines that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable, it may output information that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable to the display or speaker of the output unit 306. The display or speaker of the output unit 306 notifies the user that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable.

[0077] Furthermore, when the concrete quality determination unit 317 determines that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable, it may output and store quality acceptance information of the concrete C in the auxiliary storage device 307. In the temperature and humidity control process and carbon dioxide amount determination described below, the control unit 310 can check the quality acceptance information of the concrete C stored in the auxiliary storage device 307 and end the process when the quality of the concrete C is accepted.

[0078] The carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 determines whether or not to start supplying carbon dioxide into the inside of the curing tank T based on the measurement result acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit 313. Specifically, the carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 according to this embodiment determines that supplying carbon dioxide into the inside of the curing tank T should be started when the measurement result of the carbon dioxide concentration by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20c becomes less than the first concentration.

[0079] The carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 determines whether or not to terminate the supply of carbon dioxide into the curing tank T based on the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit 313. The carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 according to this embodiment determines that the supply of carbon dioxide into the curing tank T should be terminated when the measurement result of the carbon dioxide concentration by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20c becomes equal to or higher than the second concentration. The first concentration is set to a carbon dioxide concentration suitable for carbonation curing. The first concentration may be, for example, 20%. The second concentration is set to a concentration higher than the first concentration. The second concentration may be, for example, 30%. Note that the higher the carbon dioxide concentration, the faster the carbonation rate.

[0080] The carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 controls the carbon dioxide supply unit 12 based on the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit 313. More specifically, the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 can execute a carbon dioxide concentration adjustment mode in which it controls the operation of the carbon dioxide supply unit 12 based on the measurement results measured by the measurement result acquisition unit 313. For example, when the carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 determines, based on the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit 313, that the supply of carbon dioxide into the inside of the curing tank T should be started, the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 controls the carbon dioxide supply unit 12 to start supplying carbon dioxide. When the carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 determines that the supply of carbon dioxide into the inside of the curing tank T should be stopped, the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 controls the carbon dioxide supply unit 12 to stop supplying carbon dioxide.

[0081] Furthermore, the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 may execute the carbon dioxide adjustment mode based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311. Specifically, when the supply and demand related information includes information on the market price of electricity and the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 determines that the market price of electricity based on the power supply and demand is lower than a predetermined value, the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 may execute the carbon dioxide concentration adjustment mode. When the supply and demand related information includes information on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power and the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 determines that the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power is lower than a predetermined value, the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 may execute the carbon dioxide concentration adjustment mode.

[0082] <Supply and demand related information server> The supply and demand related information server 40 will be described below with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Components that are common or similar to those already described will be given the same names and detailed descriptions will be omitted. The supply and demand related information server 40 is an information processing device for managing the above-mentioned supply and demand related information. The supply and demand related information server 40 provides supply and demand related information to the control device 30 for executing a control mode based on the power supply and demand related information in the concrete carbonation curing system S.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 6, the supply and demand related information server 40 includes a processor 400, a ROM 401, a RAM 402, a bus 403, an input / output interface 404, an input unit 405, an output unit 406, an auxiliary storage device 407, a communication unit 408, and a power supply 409.

[0084] The auxiliary storage device 407 is configured with a HDD, SSD, etc. The auxiliary storage device 407 stores various information such as programs related to various processes and setting values, etc. The auxiliary storage device 407 stores, for example, various information such as supply and demand related information, and programs for reading and outputting supply and demand related information.

[0085] The communication unit 408 is a device that allows the processor 400 to communicate with other devices (for example, the control device 30) via a network N or the like. The communication unit 408 may also be able to communicate with an administrator terminal (not shown) for an external administrator via a network (not shown).

[0086] Next, we will explain the functional configuration of the supply and demand related information server 40. The control unit 410, which is a functional configuration of the supply and demand related information server 40 that executes various controls of the supply and demand related information server 40, is realized by the processor 400 that executes arithmetic processing by executing programs stored in the ROM 401, RAM 402, auxiliary storage device 407, etc.

[0087] As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 410 of this embodiment has an inquiry information acquisition unit (inquiry information acquisition function) 411, a supply and demand related information reading unit (supply and demand related information reading function) 412, and an inquiry result output unit (inquiry result output function) 413.

[0088] The inquiry information acquisition unit 411 executes a process of acquiring inquiry information transmitted from an external source via the communication unit 408. The inquiry information is information for inquiring about supply and demand related information held in the supply and demand related information server 40, and is generated by the supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311 described above. The inquiry information includes, for example, information about the electric power company for which the supply and demand related information is to be inquired, the date and time, etc. As shown in FIG. 5, the market price of electricity differs for each electric power company because supply and demand differ depending on the area under the jurisdiction of the electric power company, and also differs depending on the time of day even for the same electric power company. Therefore, the inquiry information includes information for specifying the electric power company to be inquired about and the date and time.

[0089] The supply and demand related information reading unit 412 executes a process of reading the supply and demand related information as shown in FIG. 5 stored in the auxiliary storage device 407 based on the inquiry information acquired by the inquiry information acquiring unit 411 .

[0090] The inquiry result output unit 413 executes a process of transmitting the supply and demand related information read by the supply and demand related information reading unit 412 to the control device 30 via the communication unit 408 .

[0091] <Carbonation curing method> Next, the carbonation curing method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The carbonation curing method is a method for carbonation curing of concrete using the above-mentioned concrete carbonation curing system S, and includes a placement step (step S10), a concrete carbonation curing step (step S11), and a removal step (step S12).

[0092] The placing step (step S10) is a step of placing the concrete C, on which the manufactured precast concrete or the like has been placed, inside the curing tank T.

[0093] The concrete carbonation curing process (step S11) is a process in which the concrete carbonation curing system S carbonates and cures the concrete C placed inside the curing tank T by the temperature and humidity adjustment operation and carbon dioxide supply operation of the adjustment unit 10, which are controlled based on supply and demand related information. Furthermore, in the concrete carbonation curing process (step S11), the concrete carbonation curing system S determines the quality of the concrete C to be carbonated and cured.

[0094] Therefore, the control device 30 of the concrete carbonation curing system S executes a concrete quality assessment process, a temperature and humidity adjustment process, and a carbon dioxide supply process, which will be described later, in the concrete carbonation curing step (step S11). As a result, the inside of the curing tank T becomes an environment suitable for carbonation curing, and the placed concrete C is efficiently carbonated and cured.

[0095] The removal step (step S12) is a step of removing the concrete C placed in the curing tank T. In this embodiment, the removal step (step S12) is performed, for example, when the quality of the concrete C passes the concrete quality assessment process in the concrete carbonation curing step (step S11). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the concrete C may be removed after a preset storage period has elapsed, or may be removed according to a delivery date.

[0096] <Concrete quality assessment process> Next, the concrete quality determination process will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 9. When the concrete quality determination process is executed, a measurement result acquisition unit 313, a material age information acquisition unit 316, and a concrete quality determination unit 317 function in the processor 300 as shown in Figs.

[0097] The concrete quality determination process is executed in the concrete carbonation curing step (step S11). The concrete quality determination process is executed periodically at predetermined intervals from the start of the concrete carbonation curing system S. The predetermined time is, for example, one hour.

[0098] First, the measurement result acquisition unit 313 acquires the measurement results measured by the measurement unit 20 via the communication unit 308 (step S20). Next, the material age information acquisition unit 316 acquires material age information of the concrete C, and the concrete quality determination unit 317 determines the quality of the concrete C based on the information on the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration inside the curing tank T acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit 313 and the material age information acquired by the material age information acquisition unit 316 (step S21).

[0099] If the determination by the concrete quality determination unit 317 is unsatisfactory (step S21: NO), the control unit 310 waits for a predetermined time (step S23) and proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, if the determination by the concrete quality determination unit 317 is satisfactory in step S21 (step S21: YES), the concrete quality determination unit 317 outputs information on the quality determination of the concrete C to the auxiliary storage device 307 for storage, and outputs it to the display or speaker of the output unit 306 (step S22), and ends the concrete quality determination process.

[0100] <Temperature and humidity adjustment processing> Next, the temperature and humidity adjustment process will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 10. When the temperature and humidity adjustment process is executed, the measurement result acquisition unit 313, the temperature and humidity determination unit 314, and the temperature and humidity control unit 315 function in the processor 300 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The temperature and humidity adjustment process is executed in the concrete carbonation curing step (step S11).

[0101] First, the supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311 acquires supply and demand related information from the supply and demand related information server 40 via the communication unit 308 (step S30). For example, the supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311 transmits inquiry information for supply and demand related information to the supply and demand related information server 40 via the communication unit 308. The supply and demand related information server 40 reads the supply and demand related information stored in the auxiliary storage device 407 based on the transmitted inquiry information, and transmits the information to the control device 30 via the communication unit 308. The supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311 acquires the supply and demand related information transmitted from the supply and demand related information server 40 via the communication unit 308.

[0102] Next, the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 reads a predetermined value stored in the auxiliary storage device 307 as a determination value for the market price of electricity, and checks whether the market price of electricity as power demand is less than the predetermined value based on the acquired supply and demand related information (step S31). If the supply and demand related information includes the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity, the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 may check whether the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity is less than the predetermined value instead of or in addition to the market price of electricity.

[0103] If the market price of electricity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S31: NO), the process proceeds to step S35. If the market price of electricity is less than the predetermined value (step S31: YES), the measurement result acquisition unit 313 acquires the measurement results from the measurement unit 20 via the communication unit 308 (step S32). Next, the temperature and humidity determination unit 314 determines whether the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T are within a preset humidity range (step S33).

[0104] If the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T are outside the preset humidity range (step S33: NO), the temperature and humidity control unit 315 starts temperature and humidity adjustment control (step S34) and continues until the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T fall within the preset temperature and humidity range, and then proceeds to step S35. On the other hand, if the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T are within the preset temperature and humidity range in step S33 (step S33: YES), the temperature and humidity control unit 315 acquires information on the quality assessment of the concrete C by the concrete quality assessment unit 317, which is stored in the auxiliary storage device 307 (step S35).

[0105] The temperature and humidity control unit 315 checks the information on the quality assessment of concrete C by the concrete quality assessment unit 317 stored in the auxiliary storage device 307, and checks whether the quality of concrete C is acceptable in step S22 of the concrete quality assessment process (step S36).

[0106] If the concrete quality determination unit 317 has determined that the quality of the concrete C is not acceptable in step S22 of the concrete quality determination process (step S36: NO), the control unit 310 waits for a predetermined time (step S37), transitions the process to step S30, and repeats the above process until the concrete quality determination unit 317 has determined that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable. On the other hand, if the concrete quality determination unit 317 has determined that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable in step S36 of the concrete quality determination process (step S36: YES), the control unit 310 ends the temperature and humidity adjustment process.

[0107] Note that, instead of steps S35 and S36 for confirming the results of the concrete quality assessment process, the temperature and humidity adjustment process may include a step for confirming whether a certain time has elapsed since the start of the temperature and humidity adjustment process, and the temperature and humidity adjustment process may be terminated after the certain time has elapsed. Also, instead of steps S35 and S36 for confirming the results of the concrete quality assessment process, the temperature and humidity adjustment process may include a step for confirming whether an operator has input command information to terminate the temperature and humidity adjustment process into the input unit 305 of the control device 30, and the temperature and humidity adjustment process may be terminated when the operator has input command information to terminate the temperature and humidity adjustment process into the input unit 305 of the control device 30.

[0108] <Carbon dioxide supply treatment> Next, the carbon dioxide supply process will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 11. When the carbon dioxide supply process is executed, a measurement result acquisition unit 313, a carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318, and a carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 function in the processor 300 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The carbon dioxide supply process is executed in the concrete carbonation curing step (step S11).

[0109] First, the supply and demand related information acquisition unit 311 acquires supply and demand related information from the supply and demand related information server 40 via the communication unit 308 (step S40). Next, the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 reads a predetermined value as a determination value for the market price of electricity stored in the auxiliary storage device 307, and checks whether the market price of electricity as power demand is less than the predetermined value based on the acquired supply and demand related information (step S41). If the supply and demand related information includes the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity, the supply and demand situation determination unit 312 may check whether the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity is less than the predetermined value instead of or in addition to the market price of electricity.

[0110] If the market price of electricity is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S41: NO), the process proceeds to step S45. If the market price of electricity is less than the predetermined value (step S41: YES), the measurement result acquisition unit 313 acquires the measurement results from the measurement unit 20 via the communication unit 308 (step S42). Next, the carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 determines whether the carbon dioxide concentration inside the curing tank T is equal to or greater than a preset first concentration (step S43).

[0111] If the carbon dioxide concentration inside the curing tank T is less than a preset first concentration (step S43: NO), the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 starts carbon dioxide supply control (step S44) and continues until the carbon dioxide concentration inside the curing tank T reaches or exceeds a preset second concentration, and then proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if the carbon dioxide concentration inside the curing tank T is equal to or greater than the preset first concentration in step S43 (step S43: YES), the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 acquires information on the quality assessment result of the concrete C by the concrete quality assessment unit 317, which is stored in the auxiliary storage device 307 (step S45). Next, it is confirmed whether the quality of the concrete C is acceptable in step S22 of the concrete quality assessment process (step S46).

[0112] If the concrete quality determination unit 317 has determined that the quality of the concrete C is not acceptable in step S22 of the concrete quality determination process (step S46: NO), the control unit 310 waits for a predetermined time (step S47), transitions the process to step S40, and repeats the above process until the concrete quality determination unit 317 has determined that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable. On the other hand, if the concrete quality determination unit 317 has determined that the quality of the concrete C is acceptable in step S46 of the concrete quality determination process (step S46: YES), the control unit 310 ends the carbon dioxide supply process.

[0113] Note that, instead of steps S45 and S46 for confirming the results of the concrete quality assessment process, the carbon dioxide supply process may include a step for confirming whether a certain time has elapsed since the start of the carbon dioxide supply process, and may terminate the carbon dioxide supply process after the certain time has elapsed. Also, instead of steps S35 and S36 for confirming the results of the concrete quality assessment process, the carbon dioxide supply process may include a step for confirming whether an operator has input command information to terminate the carbon dioxide supply process into the input unit 305 of the control device 30, and may terminate the carbon dioxide supply process when the operator has input command information to terminate the carbon dioxide supply process into the input unit 305 of the control device 30.

[0114] The concrete carbonation curing system S according to the present embodiment described above provides the following advantages. Conventionally, a method has been known in which the concrete is surrounded by tent fabric or the like, and a carbon dioxide atmosphere is created while controlling the temperature and humidity inside the space, thereby fixing carbon dioxide from outside the concrete. To perform carbonation curing efficiently, it is preferable to maintain at least one of the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank at an appropriate level, and a lot of electricity has been consumed to adjust the temperature and humidity.

[0115] To efficiently perform carbonation curing, it is preferable to maintain at least one of the temperature and humidity in the curing tank at an appropriate level, and a large amount of electricity has traditionally been consumed for temperature and humidity adjustment. For this reason, the concrete carbonation curing system S according to this embodiment is capable of adjusting either the temperature or humidity in the curing tank using electricity generated during periods when carbon dioxide emissions are low, such as renewable energy sources like solar energy, or electricity generated during periods when market prices are low. Therefore, rather than constantly maintaining the temperature and humidity as in conventional carbonation curing methods, temperature and humidity are controlled intermittently only when the supply of electricity, such as solar power generation, is high, thereby reducing the electricity consumption required for temperature and humidity adjustment. This can also lead to reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

[0116] <Modification> In the concrete carbonation curing system S according to the above embodiment, the curing tank T is a tent, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the curing tank T may be formed vertically downward relative to a reference plane and have a concave shape in which the concrete can be placed. A concrete carbonation curing system SB according to a modified example will be described below with reference to Figures 12 to 14. Note that components similar to those in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 1, the concrete carbonation curing system SB according to the modified example includes a curing tank TB, an adjusting unit 10B, a measuring unit 20B, a control device 30, and a supply and demand related information server 40.

[0118] The curing tank TB is configured to hold concrete to be carbonation cured. As shown in FIG. 1, the curing tank TB is formed vertically downward on the ground G. The curing tank TB is formed into a concave shape by digging into the ground G. The concrete C to be carbonation cured is placed on the bottom of the concave shape. In this modified example, the specific gravity of carbon dioxide required for curing is heavier than air, and therefore no carbon dioxide leaks from above the curing tank TB. Therefore, the curing tank TB is formed so that the top of the curing tank TB is open to the outside without a cover such as a lid.

[0119] This simplifies the curing tank TB as a curing space and reduces initial costs. Furthermore, when supplying carbon dioxide, simply supplying it to one of the openings above the curing tank TB causes the carbon dioxide to descend into the interior of the curing tank TB, eliminating the need to install separate piping or other flow paths, thereby reducing initial costs. However, a cover such as a lid can be placed on top of the curing tank TB to block it from the outside.

[0120] The curing tank TB is formed so that the depth d from the ground G to the bottom surface of the curing tank TB is greater than the height hc of the concrete C. In other words, the height hc of the concrete C is set to be less than the depth d from the ground G to the bottom surface of the curing tank TB. The curing tank is not limited to being formed vertically below the ground G. For example, it may be formed vertically below the floor surface of the second or higher floor of a two or more story building.

[0121] <Adjustment part> The adjusting section 10B according to this modification includes, for example, a temperature and humidity adjusting section 11 and a carbon dioxide supplying section 12B.

[0122] The carbon dioxide supply unit 12B is capable of performing a carbon dioxide supply operation to supply carbon dioxide into the curing tank TB. The carbon dioxide supply unit 12B is placed on the ground G and includes, for example, a carbon dioxide cylinder (not shown) in which carbon dioxide is stored, and a supply flow rate adjustment device. The supply flow rate adjustment device is connected to the control device 30 via a communication unit 308 (described later), and is capable of adjusting the supply flow rate of carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide cylinder under the control of the control unit 310. The carbon dioxide supply port provided on the carbon dioxide cylinder is placed at the top of the curing tank TB.

[0123] <Measurement section> The measurement unit 20 according to this modification includes a temperature sensor 20a, a humidity sensor 20b, and a carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB.

[0124] The carbon dioxide concentration measuring unit 20cB has one or more concentration meters and is configured to measure the carbon dioxide concentration for carbon dioxide supply control to supply carbon dioxide into the curing tank TB. Here, because carbon dioxide has a specific gravity heavier than air, when carbon dioxide is immobilized in the concrete C in the curing tank T and consumed, carbon dioxide gradually decreases from the upper part of the curing tank TB, and the carbon dioxide concentration decreases. As carbon dioxide is further consumed, the carbon dioxide concentration near the upper part of the concrete C undergoing carbonation curing also gradually decreases. The lower the carbon dioxide concentration, the slower the carbonation rate, and therefore the amount of carbon dioxide immobilized from the upper part of the concrete C becomes relatively smaller.

[0125] Therefore, in order to sufficiently carbonate and cure the concrete C, it is necessary to supply carbon dioxide to the amount consumed. For this reason, carbon dioxide supply control is performed based on the carbon dioxide concentration measurement results obtained by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB. The timings for starting and ending the carbon dioxide supply are determined by the height of the concentration meter in the curing tank TB. In this modified example, the timings for starting and ending the carbon dioxide supply are determined using the measurement results of two concentration meters, a first concentration meter 20c1 and a second concentration meter, which will be described later, but they can also be determined using the measurement result of a single concentration meter.

[0126] Furthermore, since the height hc of the concrete C may vary for each concrete product, it is preferable that the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB has multiple concentration meters arranged at various heights. When the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB has multiple concentration meters, the multiple concentration meters are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction inside the curing tank TB. The more concentration meters arranged at intervals in the vertical direction inside the curing tank TB, the more precise the control of the carbon dioxide concentration. With this configuration, the amount of carbon dioxide stored inside the curing tank TB can be minimized even when concrete products of various heights are stored in the curing tank TB.

[0127] The carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB according to this modification has a plurality of concentration meters. Specifically, the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB according to this modification has a first concentration meter 20c1, a second concentration meter 20c2, and a third concentration meter 20c3 as concentration meters. The first concentration meter 20c1, the second concentration meter 20c2, and the third concentration meter 20c3 are known carbon dioxide concentration meters. The arrangement of the concentration meters in the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB will be described in more detail below.

[0128] If it is desired to sufficiently fix carbon dioxide throughout the entire concrete C, including the upper side thereof, it is preferable to start the supply of carbon dioxide before the carbon dioxide concentration at height hc of the concrete C becomes low. In this case, it is preferable that the height from the bottom of the curing tank TB of the concentration meter used to determine the start of carbon dioxide supply is higher than the height hc of the concrete C. In this modification, the height h1 from the bottom of the curing tank TB of the first concentration meter 20c1 used to determine the start of carbon dioxide supply is set higher than the height hc of the concrete C. Furthermore, the higher the height from the bottom of the curing tank TB of the concentration meter used to determine the start of carbon dioxide supply, the more reliably carbon dioxide can be fixed in the concrete C.

[0129] If it is desired to sufficiently fix carbon dioxide above the concrete C, it is preferable to end the supply of carbon dioxide after the carbon dioxide concentration near the ground G in the curing tank TB has reached a sufficient concentration. In this case, the height of the concentration meter used to determine the end of the carbon dioxide supply from the bottom surface of the curing tank TB is preferably higher than the height hc of the concrete C, and the closer it is to the ground G, the better. In this modification, the height h2 of the second concentration meter 20c2 used to determine the end of the carbon dioxide supply from the bottom surface of the curing tank TB is set to be higher than the height hc of the concrete C and closer to the ground G than the first concentration meter 20c1.

[0130] On the other hand, if it is desired to minimize the amount of carbon dioxide stored inside the curing tank TB, it is preferable to start the supply of carbon dioxide immediately before the carbon dioxide concentration at the height hc of the concrete C becomes low. In this case, it is preferable that the height of the concentration meter used to determine the start of carbon dioxide supply from the bottom surface of the curing tank TB is higher than the height hc of the concrete C and is as close as possible to the height hc of the concrete C. In this modification, the height h1 of the first concentration meter 20c1 used to determine the start of carbon dioxide supply from the bottom surface of the curing tank TB is higher than and approximately the same as the height hc of the concrete C.

[0131] When it is desired to minimize the amount of carbon dioxide stored inside the curing tank TB, it is preferable to terminate the supply of carbon dioxide at a height higher than the height hc of the concrete C and as close as possible to the height hc of the concrete C. In this case, it is preferable that the height of the concentration meter used to determine the end of the carbon dioxide supply from the bottom surface of the curing tank TB is higher than the height hc of the concrete C and as close as possible to the height hc of the concrete C.

[0132] If priority is given to reducing the frequency of carbon dioxide supply into the curing tank TB and reducing the amount of management effort, rather than the amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete C, it is preferable to start the supply of carbon dioxide when the carbon dioxide level has decreased to near the bottom of the concave portion of the curing tank TB. In this case, it is preferable that the height of the concentration meter used to determine the start of carbon dioxide supply from the bottom of the curing tank TB is lower than the height hc of the concrete C. The height h3 of the third concentration meter 20c3 used to determine the start of carbon dioxide supply from the bottom of the curing tank TB may be set lower than the height hc of the concrete C.

[0133] If priority is given to reducing the frequency of supplying carbon dioxide into the curing tank TB and reducing the amount of management work, rather than the amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete C, it is preferable to stop the supply of carbon dioxide after the carbon dioxide concentration near the ground G in the curing tank TB has reached a sufficient concentration. In this case, the procedure is the same as when it is desired to fix carbon dioxide sufficiently also in the upper part of the concrete C, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0134] The arrangement of the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB according to this modification will now be described in detail. The first concentration meter 20c1 is arranged inside the curing tank TB at a height h1 that is higher than the height h3 of the third concentration meter 20c3 and lower than the height h2 of the second concentration meter 20c2 and the ground G. The second concentration meter 20c2 is arranged inside the curing tank TB at a height h2 that is higher than the height h1 of the first concentration meter 20c1 and the height h3 of the third concentration meter 20c3 and lower than the ground G. The third concentration meter 20c3 is arranged inside the curing tank TB at a height h3 that is lower than the height h1 of the first concentration meter 20c1, the height h2 of the second concentration meter 20c2, and the ground G.

[0135] Therefore, measurement unit 20B according to this modification is capable of measuring the carbon dioxide concentration at three heights: height h1, height h2, and height h3. Measurement unit 20B is not limited to this, and may be capable of measuring the carbon dioxide concentration at four or more heights, or may be capable of measuring the carbon dioxide concentration at two or fewer heights.

[0136] As shown in Figure 14, the control unit 310 of this modified example has a supply and demand related information acquisition unit (supply and demand related information acquisition function) 311, a supply and demand situation determination unit (supply and demand situation determination function) 312, a measurement result acquisition unit (measurement result acquisition function) 313, a temperature and humidity determination unit (temperature and humidity determination function) 314, a temperature and humidity control unit (temperature and humidity control function) 315, a material age information acquisition unit (material age information acquisition function) 316, a concrete quality determination unit (concrete quality determination function) 317, a carbon dioxide supply determination unit (carbon dioxide supply determination function) 318, and a carbon dioxide supply control unit (carbon dioxide supply control function) 319.

[0137] The measurement result acquisition unit 313 executes a process of acquiring the measurement results measured by the measurement unit 20B via the communication unit 308. For example, the measurement result acquisition unit 313 executes a process of acquiring temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 20a of the measurement unit 20B via the communication unit 308. The measurement result acquisition unit 313 executes a process of acquiring humidity information measured by the humidity sensor 20b of the measurement unit 20B via the communication unit 308. The measurement result acquisition unit 313 executes a process of acquiring carbon dioxide concentration information measured by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB of the measurement unit 20B via the communication unit 308.

[0138] As described above, the carbon dioxide concentration information measured by carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit 20cB may include carbon dioxide concentration information from at least one of first concentration meter 20c1, second concentration meter 20c2, and third concentration meter 20c3.

[0139] The carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 determines whether or not to start supplying carbon dioxide into the inside of the curing tank T based on the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit 313. Specifically, the carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 according to this modification determines that supplying carbon dioxide into the inside of the curing tank T should be started when the measurement result of the carbon dioxide concentration by the first concentration meter 20c1 becomes less than the first concentration.

[0140] The carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 determines whether or not to terminate the supply of carbon dioxide into the curing tank TB based on the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit 313. The carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 according to this modification determines that the supply of carbon dioxide into the curing tank TB should be terminated when the measurement result of the carbon dioxide concentration by the second concentration meter 20c2 becomes equal to or greater than a first concentration. The first concentration is set to a carbon dioxide concentration suitable for carbonation curing. The first concentration may be, for example, 20% carbon dioxide. Note that the higher the carbon dioxide concentration, the faster the carbonation rate.

[0141] <Carbonation curing method> Next, the carbonation curing method according to this modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The carbonation curing method according to this modified example includes a placement step (step S10), a concrete carbonation curing step (step S11), and a removal step (step S12).

[0142] The placement step (step S10) is a step of placing the concrete C containing the manufactured precast concrete or the like inside the curing tank TB. Here, attention must be paid to the relationship between the height of the carbon dioxide concentration meter used to determine the amount of carbon dioxide supply in the carbon dioxide amount determination process, from the bottom of the curing tank TB, and the height of the concrete C. For example, if it is desired to set the carbon dioxide concentration around the entire concrete C to 20%, and the determination value of the carbon dioxide concentration meter is set to 20%, the height of the concrete must be lower than the height of the carbon dioxide concentration meter used for the determination, from the bottom of the curing tank TB.

[0143] Therefore, in this modification, the height hc of the concrete C is set to be lower than the height h1 of the first concentration meter 20c1, and the concrete C is placed inside the curing tank TB.

[0144] <Carbon dioxide supply treatment> Next, the carbon dioxide supply process will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 15. The carbon dioxide supply process according to this modification is the same as the carbon dioxide supply process of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 except for the processing from the timing at which it is determined in step S41 that the market price of electricity is lower than a predetermined value (step S41: YES) until step S45 begins. Therefore, in the following description, diagrams and descriptions of processing that is common to the carbon dioxide supply process of the embodiment will be omitted. When the carbon dioxide supply process is executed, a measurement result acquisition unit 313, a carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318, and a carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 function in the processor 300 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The carbon dioxide supply process is executed in the concrete carbonation curing step (step S11).

[0145] First, if it is determined in step S41 shown in Fig. 12 that the market price of electricity is lower than a predetermined value (step S41: YES), measurement result acquisition unit 313 acquires the measurement result from first concentration meter 20c1 via communication unit 308 as shown in Fig. 15 (step S50). Next, carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 determines whether the measurement result from first concentration meter 20c1 acquired by measurement result acquisition unit 313 is equal to or higher than the first concentration (step S51).

[0146] If the measurement result obtained by measurement result obtaining unit 313 using first concentration meter 20c1 is less than the first concentration (step S51: NO), carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 causes carbon dioxide supply unit 12B to supply carbon dioxide (step S52). Next, measurement result obtaining unit 313 obtains the measurement result using second concentration meter 20c2 (step S53). Next, carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 checks whether the measurement result using second concentration meter 20c2 is equal to or greater than the first concentration (step S54). If the measurement result using second concentration meter 20c2 is less than the first concentration (step S54: NO), control unit 310 transitions to step S53 and repeats the process until the measurement result using second concentration meter 20c2 is equal to or greater than the first concentration.

[0147] On the other hand, if the measurement result by the second concentration meter 20c2 is equal to or greater than the first concentration (step S54: YES), the carbon dioxide supply control unit 319 terminates the supply of carbon dioxide (step S55) and transitions the process to step S45 shown in FIG. 11.

[0148] <Modification>

[0149] The process of determining the amount of carbon dioxide inside the curing tank TB by the carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 according to the above-described modified example is merely an example and is not particularly limited. For example, the carbon dioxide supply determination unit 318 may determine whether or not to start the supply of carbon dioxide based on the measurement result of the third concentration meter 20c3, and may determine whether or not to end the supply of carbon dioxide based on the measurement result of the second concentration meter 20c2.

[0150] In the above-described embodiment, the adjusting unit 10 adjusts the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank T, but this is not limiting, and the adjusting unit 10 may adjust only either the temperature or the humidity. Even in this case, the configuration of the adjusting unit 10 can be simplified while efficiently immobilizing carbon dioxide in the concrete C, and the electricity cost for carbonation curing can be reduced.

[0151] In the above-described embodiment, the concrete quality determination unit 317 calculates an estimated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete and determines whether the estimated amount exceeds a predetermined amount. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the concrete quality determination unit 317 may calculate an estimated amount of carbon dioxide fixed in the concrete and output information about the calculated estimated amount of carbon dioxide to the display or speaker of the output unit 306 without determining the quality, or may transmit the information to an external manager's terminal or the like via the communication unit 308. A worker or the like who confirms the information about the estimated amount from the display or speaker of the output unit 306 or the manager's terminal or the like may determine whether to end the concrete carbonation curing process (step S11) and start the removal process (step S12).

[0152] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can take on various other embodiments, and various modifications such as omissions and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention described in this specification, etc., and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 10 Adjustment section 20 Measuring part 310 Control Unit C. Concrete T curing tank

Claims

1. a curing tank in which concrete to be carbonation cured can be placed; A measurement unit capable of measuring at least one of the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank; an adjusting unit capable of supplying carbon dioxide into the inside of the curing tank and adjusting at least one of the temperature and humidity inside the curing tank; a control unit that controls the adjustment unit based on the measurement result of the measurement unit, The control unit acquires supply and demand related information based on electricity supply and demand, and controls the adjustment unit based on the supply and demand related information.

2. The measurement unit includes a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature inside the curing tank and a humidity measurement unit that measures the humidity inside the curing tank, The adjustment unit includes a carbon dioxide supply unit that supplies carbon dioxide to the inside of the curing tank, a temperature adjustment unit that can heat or cool the inside of the curing tank, and a humidity adjustment unit that can humidify or dehumidify the inside of the curing tank, the control unit includes a measurement result acquisition unit that acquires the measurement results by the temperature measurement unit and the measurement results by the humidity measurement unit, a supply and demand related information acquisition unit that acquires the supply and demand related information, and a temperature and humidity control unit that controls the operation of the temperature adjustment unit and the humidity adjustment unit based on the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit, 2. The concrete carbonation curing system of claim 1, wherein the temperature and humidity control unit is capable of executing an adjustment mode to control the adjustment unit so that the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit are within a range suitable for carbonation curing when the measurement results acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit are not within the range suitable for carbonation curing, and executes the adjustment mode based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition unit.

3. The supply and demand related information includes information on the market price of electricity, 3. The concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 2, wherein the temperature and humidity control unit executes the adjusting mode when the market price of electricity is lower than a predetermined value.

4. the supply and demand related information includes information on carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity, 3. The concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 2, wherein the temperature and humidity control unit executes the adjustment mode when the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit power is lower than a predetermined value.

5. The measurement unit further includes a carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit that measures the carbon dioxide concentration inside the curing tank, the measurement result acquisition unit is capable of acquiring the measurement result by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit, the control unit has a carbon dioxide supply control unit capable of executing a carbon dioxide concentration adjustment mode that controls the operation of the carbon dioxide supply unit based on the measurement results measured by the measurement result acquisition unit, 4. The concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 2, wherein the carbon dioxide supply control unit executes the carbon dioxide concentration adjustment mode based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition unit.

6. 6. The concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit comprises: an age information acquisition unit capable of acquiring age information of the concrete; and a quality determination unit configured to determine quality of the concrete based on, inside the curing tank, the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit, the humidity measured by the humidity measurement unit, the carbon dioxide concentration measured by the carbon dioxide concentration measurement unit, and the age information of the concrete acquired by the age information acquisition unit.

7. 3. The concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 1, wherein the curing tank is a tent capable of containing the concrete.

8. 3. The concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 1, wherein the curing tank is formed below a reference plane in a vertical direction and has a concave shape in which the concrete can be placed.

9. a supply and demand related information database for storing the supply and demand related information; 4. The concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 2, wherein the supply and demand related information acquisition unit acquires the supply and demand related information stored in the supply and demand related information database.

10. A carbonation curing method using the concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 1, a placing step of placing the concrete in the curing tank; a supply and demand related information acquisition step of acquiring the supply and demand related information by the control unit; a temperature and humidity control step of controlling the adjustment unit by the control unit based on the supply and demand related information acquired in the supply and demand related information acquisition step.

11. A program executed by a control unit of the concrete carbonation curing system according to claim 1, a measurement result acquisition function for acquiring the measurement results of the measurement unit; a temperature and humidity determination function that determines whether the temperature and humidity measured by the measurement unit and acquired by the measurement result acquisition function are within a predetermined range; a temperature and humidity control function that controls the operation of the adjustment unit based on the determination result by the temperature and humidity determination function; a supply and demand related information acquisition function for acquiring the supply and demand related information; The measurement result acquisition function, the temperature and humidity determination function, and the temperature and humidity control function are executed based on the supply and demand related information acquired by the supply and demand related information acquisition function.

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