Chaotropic Ion Salt Co-Fluidifier for SCM Concrete Rheology

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water reducing polymers are less effective in improving fluidity and workability of mortars and concretes containing supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) due to incompatibility with activating agents, leading to suboptimal fresh state rheology and early-age mechanical properties.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a salt with a chaotropic ion as a co-fluidifier with water reducing polymers and kosmotropic ion-containing accelerators in wet concrete or mortar compositions, enhancing the fluidifying effect and maintaining fluidity longer than usual.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If water reducing polymers are added to improve fluidity and workability, then fluidity is improved, but effectiveness is reduced when SCMs and activating agents are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluidity and workabilityVSAvoideffectiveness of water reducing polymer

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mediator substance that is compatible with both the activating agents and water reducing polymers, enabling them to work together effectively in the presence of SCMs. This mediator resolves the incompatibility between accelerators and water reducing polymers, allowing the water reducing polymer to maintain its fluidifying effect without being rendered less soluble or less efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the binder composition by adjusting the types and concentrations of activators and water reducing polymers used. This allows optimization of the composition to achieve both early-age strength development and improved fluidity, overcoming the limitation where water reducing polymers become less effective in SCM-containing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If activating agents are added to accelerate strength development, then early-age mechanical properties are improved, but fluidity and workability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly-age mechanical propertiesVSAvoidfluidity and workability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration and type of activating agents in the binder composition to achieve a balance between early-age strength development and fluidity maintenance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system attains both accelerated strength gain and adequate workability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite binder system combining hydraulic binders, SCMs, and optimized activating agents that work synergistically. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both early strength development and maintained fluidity, as the different components complement each other's functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If SCMs are used to reduce carbon emissions, then environmental impact is reduced, but water reducing polymer effectiveness is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide emissionsVSAvoidwater reducing polymer performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mediator that bridges the gap between SCMs and water reducing polymers, enabling the latter to function effectively despite the presence of SCMs. This mediator resolves the incompatibility issue while maintaining the environmental benefits of using SCMs to replace Portland cement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts the chemical parameters of the system by selecting specific types and concentrations of water reducing polymers and activating agents that are compatible with SCM-containing binders. This allows the system to maintain both the low-carbon advantage of SCMs and the fluidifying effect of water reducing polymers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The method provides a strong fluidifying effect and extended open time, improving the fluidity and early-age strength development of SCMs-based mortars and concretes without increasing the consistency class, while being compatible with various binder compositions.

Implementation Method 1

adding at least one salt comprising a chaotropic ion which co-fluidifies with the water reducing polymer said wet concretes or mortars compositions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChaotropic ion effect:

Implementation Method 2

Activating agents are compounds which induce alkaline conditions favorable to the strength development of SCM-containing binders

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlkaline activation:

Data Source

PatentUS20230192552A1Method for accelerating and fluidifying wet concretes or mortars compositions comprising an activating agent, a water reducing polymer, consisting in using performance additive including chaotropic ions and its use in low carbon alternative binder compositions

Publication Date: 2023.06.22 ECOCEM MATERIALS LTD

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for fluidifying wet concrete or industrial mortar compositions comprising:(a) at least one hydraulic binder,(b) at least one water reducing polymer,(c) at least one accelerator in the form of a salt containing at least one kosmotropic ion,(d) water, and(e) possibly one or more supplementary cementitious materials, and(f) possibly one or more filler materials, the method comprising a step of adding at least one salt (ch) including at least one chaotropic ion to the concrete or industrial mortar composition.