Dry Additive Dosing and Mixing for Stable Cement Admix Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cement additives separate during storage when dry and are complex to transport, while liquid additives are negatively affected by cold weather.
Innovation Solution
A dry additive mixing system comprising a dispenser, mix tank, and controller that controls the transfer of dry additives into water, ensuring precise measurement and mixing, including static mixers and valves to manage fluid flow and additive release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If dry additives are stored separately from cement, then they remain stable and prevent separation, but they are complex to transport and require additional mixing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the additive delivery process into separate components: a dry additive storage hopper, a transfer auger for moving additives, and a mixing system with multiple valves and pumps. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system stability and preventing additive separation during storage and transport.
2Ease of operation
If liquid additives are used, then mixing is simplified, but they are negatively affected by cold weather and require complex transport
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of the additive from liquid to dry form, eliminating cold weather sensitivity and simplifying transport. The dry additive is then precisely measured and mixed with water at the point of use, achieving easy mixing without the harmful effects of cold weather on liquid additives.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise measurement of dry additive is implemented, then mixing consistency is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex electronic measurement systems with a mechanical transfer auger that physically measures and transports dry additive in controlled increments. This mechanical approach achieves precise measurement through the auger's rotational mechanics and material engagement, eliminating the need for complex sensors and control systems while maintaining manufacturing precision.
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
Ensures consistent mixing of dry additives into water, preventing separation and weather-related issues, facilitating efficient cement operations.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer auger configured to move dry additive from the storage hopper into the weight batch hopper
Implementation Method 2
a static mixer fluidly placed along the piping
Implementation Method 3
mixing system also includes a static mixer fluidly placed along the piping
Implementation Method 4
an eductor connected to the weight batch hopper and the piping, wherein the controller is configured to control the eductor to selectively release the target amount of dry additive into the piping
Data Source
AI summary
A dry additive mixing system includes a dry additive dispenser, piping, a mix tank, and a controller. The dry additive dispenser includes a storage hopper, a weight batch hopper connected to the storage hopper, and a transfer auger configured to move dry additive from the storage hopper into the weight batch hopper. The piping is connected to the dry additive dispenser. The mix tank is connected to the piping. The controller is configured to control the transfer auger to move dry additive into the weight batch hopper until a target amount of dry additive in the weight batch hopper is reached, and selectively release the target amount of dry additive into the piping.