Aerated Concrete Moulded Body with Surface Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerated concrete production faces challenges such as high energy consumption, high water absorption, limited dimensions due to autoclave constraints, and inability to integrate visible or protective surfaces during manufacturing, which restricts its application and performance as a building material.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a mixture of water, cement, and a chemical blowing agent in a mixer to create an aerated concrete mixture, which is then cured in flat molds under ambient pressure, allowing for the application of an underlayer or overlayer with higher density than the concrete for enhanced properties and surface integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If autoclave curing is used for aerated concrete production, then compressive strength and dimensional stability are improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the curing parameters from high-temperature autoclave curing (180-220°C) to low-temperature steam curing (60-80°C), thereby significantly reducing energy consumption while still achieving adequate compressive strength for building applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simple steam curing chambers instead of expensive autoclaves, accepting that the concrete achieves sufficient strength for practical purposes without the extreme conditions of autoclave curing, thus avoiding high energy input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If autoclave curing is used for aerated concrete production, then compressive strength is improved, but production cost increases due to equipment and energy requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the curing parameters from high-temperature autoclave curing (180-220°C) to low-temperature steam curing (60-80°C), thereby significantly reducing energy consumption while still achieving adequate compressive strength for building applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simple steam curing chambers instead of expensive autoclaves, accepting that the concrete achieves sufficient strength for practical purposes without the extreme conditions of autoclave curing, thus avoiding high energy input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If traditional aerated concrete production is used, then basic structural properties are achieved, but water absorption is high limiting outdoor use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural propertiesVSAvoidwater absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies a protective plaster layer during the manufacturing process itself, before the concrete is put into service, thereby preemptively protecting it from water absorption issues that would limit outdoor use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining aerated concrete core with a denser plaster layer, where the plaster provides water resistance while the concrete provides structural properties and thermal insulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Stability of the object's composition

If autoclave manufacturing constraints are followed, then dimensional stability is achieved, but product size and shape flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidproduct size and shape flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies a protective plaster layer during the manufacturing process itself, before the concrete is put into service, thereby preemptively protecting it from water absorption issues that would limit outdoor use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining aerated concrete core with a denser plaster layer, where the plaster provides water resistance while the concrete provides structural properties and thermal insulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Ease of manufacture

If aerated concrete is produced without surface integration, then production simplicity is maintained, but visible and protective surfaces must be added separately increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidsurface treatment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the concrete production process with the surface application process, integrating what would otherwise be separate operations into a single manufacturing step, thereby maintaining production simplicity while eliminating separate surface treatment complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method reduces energy consumption, minimizes water absorption, and enables the production of larger, dimensionally flexible aerated concrete products with improved thermal conductivity and surface finishes, expanding its application as a building material.

Implementation Method 1

a chemical blowing agent in particulate form which generates a gas by chemical reaction, in particular by chemical reaction with water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

curing at least part of the aerated concrete mixture in a chamber at an elevated temperature above ambient temperature in a water vapor atmosphere

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal curing: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3442928B1Aerated concrete moulded body comprising an overlayer and/or underlayer
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 MEGAPORE R&D GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing aerated-concrete moulded bodies with a volumetric weight of 100 kg/m3 to 1600 kg/m3 using chemical expanding agents.