Concrete Slip Reservoir Agitation by Optical Density Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete recycling systems consume excessive fresh water and energy due to inefficient management of the fluid phase, leading to limitations in the reuse of waste water and aggregates.
Innovation Solution
A concrete recycling system with a classifier and fluid-phase reservoir, equipped with an agitator and optical density monitoring, which optimizes the fluid phase management, allowing for automated control of the fluid phase management, allowing for automated control of the fluid phase management, allowing for automated control of the fluid phase management, and reduces energy consumption by optimizing agitator operation based on real-time density measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the agitator operates continuously or in fixed intervals to maintain fluid phase homogeneity, then the fluid phase remains evenly distributed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static fixed-interval agitation to dynamic demand-driven agitation. The control unit dynamically adjusts agitator operation based on real-time density measurements from the optical sensor, activating agitation only when density variations exceed a threshold, thus adapting the system's behavior to actual process conditions and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using an optical sensor to continuously monitor fluid phase density and feed this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares measured density values against reference values and triggers agitator operation only when deviations indicate sedimentation, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains homogeneity while minimizing energy use.
2Manufacturing precision
If fresh water is used to dilute waste water when density is high, then concrete slip grade is maintained, but fresh water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control by continuously monitoring waste water density with an optical sensor and adjusting the dilution strategy accordingly. When density is within acceptable ranges, no dilution is performed; when density exceeds thresholds, the control unit activates dilution only to the extent necessary to maintain concrete slip grade, thereby minimizing fresh water consumption while preserving manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the density threshold parameters that trigger dilution operations. The control unit compares real-time density measurements against predefined reference values and only initiates fresh water addition when measurements exceed critical thresholds, thereby optimizing the balance between maintaining concrete quality and reducing water consumption.
3Reliability
If manual density measurement is performed daily, then waste water usability is monitored, but measurement accuracy and responsiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical density measurement with an optical measurement system. An optical sensor emits light through the waste water and detects light absorption characteristics, which are converted to density values by the control unit. This substitution of mechanical/manual measurement with optical sensing provides continuous, automated, and more precise density monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous density monitoring instead of intermittent manual measurements. The optical sensor continuously measures waste water density, and the control unit continuously processes these measurements to determine when agitation or dilution is needed, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring and immediate response to quality 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
Reduces fresh water consumption and energy usage by ensuring efficient use of waste water as batching water, enhancing the recycling process's efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor configured to detect a density of the fluid phase
Implementation Method 2
an agitator (148) in said fluid phase reservoir (140) configured to mix the fluid phase
Implementation Method 3
the concrete-slip classifier is configured to separate at least a portion of aggregates comprised in concrete slip from the concrete slip to thereby obtain a first fraction of aggregates and a fluid phase
Data Source
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AI summary
A concrete slip recycling system 100 with a concrete-slip classifier for separating concrete slip in aggregates and a fluid phase comprising fines and with and with a fluid-phase reservoir 140, a first conduit 130 connecting the concrete-slip classifier 120 and the fluid-phase reservoir 140 can be operated with a reduced energy consumption if the fluid-phase reservoir 140 comprises an observable meter 145 for metering an observable indicative of the density of the fluid phase stored in the fluid-phase reservoir 140r and/or of a change of the density of the fluid-phase stored in the fluid-phase reservoir 140 and if a controller 40 operates an agitator of the fluid phase reservoir 140 in response the metered observable or a change thereof.