Fresh Concrete Temperature Control With Pre-Mixing Component Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cooling fresh concrete have limitations in cooling capacity, cooling time, and costs, making it challenging to ensure the supply of fresh concrete within a prescribed temperature range.
Innovation Solution
A method and installation that control one or more cooling steps, such as cooling cement, aggregate, mixing water, or fresh concrete during mixing and transport, using an automatic control unit that considers route length, transport time, weather conditions, and other factors to optimize cooling and maintain the desired temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling methods are applied to reduce fresh concrete temperature, then the temperature control is improved, but the cooling capacity and cooling time are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by cooling the cement and aggregate before they are mixed into the fresh concrete. The cement is cooled in a storage silo using cooling media such as liquid nitrogen or cold air, and the aggregate is cooled in a storage facility using similar methods. This preliminary cooling of individual components allows for greater overall cooling capacity compared to cooling the mixed concrete, as the cooling process can occur simultaneously for multiple components before mixing.
2Temperature
If cooling methods are applied to reduce fresh concrete temperature, then the temperature control is improved, but the costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using cooling media with different thermal properties and temperatures. The system can switch between using liquid nitrogen (providing intense cooling) and cold air (providing gentler cooling) depending on the required temperature reduction and cost considerations. This flexibility in changing cooling parameters allows optimization between temperature control effectiveness and operational costs.
3Temperature
If cooling steps are performed at first location, then the temperature range control is improved, but the complexity of controlling multiple cooling steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a control unit that continuously monitors the temperature of the fresh concrete and the temperatures of the cooling media (cement, aggregate, mixing water). The control unit automatically adjusts the cooling processes based on real-time temperature measurements and predicted temperature changes during transport, considering factors such as route length, transport time, and ambient temperature. This automated feedback control simplifies the management of multiple cooling steps by integrating them into a coordinated system.
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 effectively ensures that fresh concrete is supplied at a temperature within a predetermined range, optimizing cooling costs and time by considering various environmental and logistical factors.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the fresh concrete during mixing and/or in a vehicle with which the fresh concrete is to be transported
Implementation Method 2
cooling cement before mixing, cooling the aggregate before mixing, cooling the mixing water before mixing
Data Source
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.