Fresh Concrete Cooling Control for Transport Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cooling fresh concrete during transportation are limited in cooling capacity, time, and cost, and fail to ensure the concrete is delivered within a prescribed temperature range, which affects its quality and strength.
Innovation Solution
An automated control unit that optimizes cooling steps by considering the length of the transport route, expected transport time, weather conditions, and temperature changes during transport, using data from previous batches to determine the required temperature of the fresh concrete at the start of transport, and controlling cooling devices such as cement, aggregate, and mixing water cooling to maintain the concrete within a predetermined temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling methods are applied to reduce fresh concrete temperature, then the concrete temperature can be reduced, but the cooling capacity is limited and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by cooling the cement, aggregate, and mixing water before they are combined to form fresh concrete. The control unit determines the required cooling extent in advance based on transport route length, expected transport time, and weather conditions, then controls the cooling devices to achieve the target temperature before mixing occurs. This approach allows temperature control to be built into the production process rather than added as a separate cooling step.
2Temperature
If cooling steps are performed at the production location, then temperature control is improved, but transport time and route considerations are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using an automated control unit that receives real-time data about transport route length, expected transport time, and weather conditions (including temperature, wind speed, and humidity). The control unit processes this information to determine the optimal cooling extent and adjusts the cooling devices accordingly. This closed-loop system ensures that cooling time is minimized while still achieving the required temperature control based on actual transport conditions.
3Temperature
If multiple cooling methods are used (cement cooling, aggregate cooling, water cooling), then cooling capacity increases, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling system adaptable and flexible through automated control. The control unit can dynamically adjust which cooling methods are applied (cement cooling, aggregate cooling, mixing water cooling) and to what extent, based on real-time assessment of transport route length, expected transport time, and weather conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to use only the necessary cooling methods for each specific situation, optimizing both effectiveness and efficiency.
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 approach ensures that fresh concrete is delivered at the point of use within a specified temperature range, optimizing cooling costs and time, and maintaining the quality and strength of the concrete by accounting for temperature changes during transport.
Implementation Method 1
the pulverulent cement is surrounded by a jet of cooling medium, for example nitrogen, as it enters a mixing/storage silo. The pulverulent cement then mixes with the cooling medium, so that the cooling medium cools the cement.
Implementation Method 2
the use of a fluidizing screw cooler for a substream of the aggregates, with the fluidizing screw cooler being cooled by means of liquid nitrogen so that the aggregate conveyed through the fluidizing screw cooler is cooled therein
Implementation Method 3
It is likewise known to cool the mixing water before it is mixed with the other fresh concrete constituents in order to reduce the temperature of the fresh concrete mixture.
Implementation Method 4
fresh concrete can be cooled by adding liquid nitrogen (LIN) to the fresh concrete in a vehicle with which the fresh concrete is transported
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and installation (100) for providing a batch of fresh concrete having a temperature in a predetermined temperature range at a remote point of use, whereby a control unit (140) controls at least one step of cooling of cement and/or aggregate and/or mixing water before mixing and/or of the fresh concrete, during the production of the batch.