Return Cement Suspension Measurement Setup for Jet Grouting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The jet grouting method generates a return cement suspension with high cement and soil fractions, which is often disposed of unused, and existing methods for reusing this material are not cost-effective, reliable, or easy to implement.

Innovation Solution

A measurement set-up that includes a feeding device for the return cement suspension and an additive to change its rheological properties, a mixing device to create a test suspension, and a measurement path for assessing the suspension's quality index, allowing for real-time measurement and feedback into the jet grouting process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the return cement suspension is reused in the jet grouting method, then disposal costs are reduced and material efficiency is improved, but the reliability of the reuse process is insufficient due to lack of quality control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal of return cement suspensionVSAvoidreliability of reuse process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a measurement setup that continuously monitors the cement fraction in the return cement suspension and feeds this information back to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of the mixing ratio between fresh cement suspension and return cement suspension, ensuring consistent quality and reliable reuse of the return material in the jet grouting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or mechanical quality assessment methods with optical measurement technology. A measurement device determines the cement fraction in the return cement suspension by analyzing optical properties, providing automated and reliable quality control without requiring physical sampling or laboratory analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual quality assessment methods are used for return cement suspension, then the measurement process is simple, but the productivity and efficiency of the jet grouting process are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of measurement processVSAvoidproductivity of jet grouting process

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual quality assessment with automated optical measurement. The measurement device continuously monitors the cement fraction in the return cement suspension without requiring manual sampling or laboratory analysis, enabling real-time quality control that maintains process simplicity while significantly improving productivity and efficiency of the jet grouting operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the mixing ratio of fresh cement suspension and return cement suspension is not controlled, then the operation process is simpler, but the manufacturing precision of the cement-soil mixture bodies is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of mixing operationVSAvoidprecision of cement-soil mixture bodies

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives continuous feedback from the measurement device about the cement fraction in the return cement suspension and automatically adjusts the mixing ratio between fresh cement suspension and return cement suspension. This closed-loop control system maintains precise and consistent quality of the cement-soil mixture bodies while keeping the operation simple through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing ratio is made dynamically adjustable based on the measured quality of the return cement suspension. The control unit automatically modifies the mixing parameters in real-time according to the actual cement fraction, ensuring optimal and precise quality of the final cement-soil mixture bodies while adapting to varying conditions in the return material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient and reliable estimation of the cement fraction in the return cement suspension, reducing disposal costs and allowing its reuse in the jet grouting method, with the additive changing rheological properties in a controlled manner to ensure the suspension is ready for use.

Implementation Method 1

a second feeding device (15b) for feeding an additive, wherein the additive is designed to change the rheological properties of the return cement suspension by reacting with the cement fraction of the return cement suspension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRheological property change through chemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a measurement device (26) for measuring at least one main measured variable of the test suspension, in particular in the measuring path section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical measurement of cement fraction: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS11774438B2Measurement set-up for a return cement suspension, construction site arrangement having a measurement set-up as well as method and use

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 KELLER HOLDING GMBH

AI summary

The disclosure provides a measurement set-up for a return cement suspension, a construction site arrangement with a measurement set-up, and a method which can be carried out inexpensively, reliably, and easily.