Modular Concrete Mixing Units for Continuous On-Site Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large, stationary concrete plants are inefficient and costly due to the need for transporting batches of concrete to remote sites, and mobile plants are expensive and time-consuming to set up, leading to increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular concrete production system comprising portable units, including a concrete mixing unit, power supply unit, and water supply unit, which can be individually transported and connected on-site to produce continuous concrete supply, utilizing modular cement and aggregate bins for continuous material feed and reducing dust emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large stationary concrete plants are used, then high-quality concrete can be produced efficiently, but transportation costs and time increase when delivering to remote sites
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete plant is divided into modular units (cement storage, aggregate storage, mixing, control) that can be independently transported and assembled at the construction site, enabling on-site production while maintaining production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed stationary plant to a mobile modular plant that can be relocated to different construction sites, dynamically adapting to project locations to eliminate transportation time while maintaining production capabilities
2Loss of time
If mobile concrete plants are used at remote sites, then transportation time is reduced, but setup cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plant is segmented into standardized modular units that can be independently transported on trailers and quickly assembled using simple connection mechanisms, reducing setup complexity compared to traditional mobile plants
Solution Approach 2:
All necessary components and materials are pre-assembled into modular units at the factory before transport, so that on-site assembly requires only connecting pre-prepared modules rather than assembling individual components
3Productivity
If traditional batch plants are used, then large quantities of concrete can be produced, but material handling complexity and dust emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Cement and aggregate are extracted into separate sealed storage modules with controlled dispensing, isolating the materials from the environment and preventing dust generation during storage and transfer operations
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical material handling systems (open conveyors, manual loading) are replaced with sealed modular gravity-fed dispensing systems that eliminate exposed material transfer points and associated dust generation
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 system enables efficient on-site production of high-quality concrete up to 80 cubic yards per hour, reduces material handling, and minimizes dust emissions, eliminating the need for settling ponds and height permits.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing auger that mixes the ingredients to form wet concrete slurry
Implementation Method 2
conveys the wet concrete slurry from the mixer to a discharge point
Implementation Method 3
The power supply unit comprises a generator for supplying power to the concrete mixing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A modular concrete production system includes individual units for the production of concrete that may be individually transported to a construction site and set up for on-site concrete production. The system includes a portable concrete mixing unit, a portable power supply unit, and a portable water supply unit. The system also includes modular bins for cement and aggregate. The bins are pre-loaded with cement and aggregate off-site and then transported to the work site for use. The bins can be stacked onto hoppers to supply cement and aggregate to a concrete mixer on the concrete mixing unit and then replaced when the contents of the bins are depleted to operate the mixer continuously.