Different Types of Concrete Cooling System

1. Different Types of Concrete Cooling System One of the more important aspects of concrete production is the cooling system. It is important to note that concrete is different from cement, as cement is the base material while concrete is the finished product. Cement is combined with water, and hydration is a central part of the process. The main traits of concrete are its strength and hardness, and without hydration, the concrete would not have those. This is where the concrete cooling system sets in. Cement hydration is an exothermic chemical process, which means that it releases heat as it dries and raises the temperature of its immediate environment.

2. When the temperature is raised, the molecules expand, reducing the bond between them. In other words, the concrete will not bind tightly enough and will not be as strong as it was intended. This phenomenon occurs more often in Industrial settings, so concrete plants must utilize a certain type of cooling system. This is especially important for projects that require high grades of concrete to be achieved such as dam projects. Types of Cooling System Flake Ice Plants One of the common and effective equipment used for concrete cooling is a flake ice plant. Ice will cool any mixture, so an ice plant for concrete cooling will achieve the same effect. Flake ice is preferred because it has a small size and high surface area. This will result in even melting time and cooling effect throughout the mixture. Also, the small size means it will melt quickly and thoroughly, and this is important since the texture of the cement mixture needs to be consistent. The low surface moisture in flake ice will feel dry when touched, and it will not stick or form blocks when stored or transported. The cooling capacity of flake ice is higher than other forms of ice, and can even reach 100% cooling energy at the right temperatures. This is important because uneven melting causes voids and leads to rejected concrete. Chilling Water Plants Aside from flake ice, another way to cool the water is by using chilled water. If the water used in cement hydration is well-chilled, then the cement temperature will be kept under control. This is why a chilled water plant is one of the most effective concrete cooling systems. It functions by lowering the water temperature from the temperature in the natural environment. The chilled water plant can reduce temperature all the way to freezing level. The best chiller water plant for concrete mixers can cool from 46°C down to 0.5°C.

3. The main components of a water chiller plant are compressors, a gauge and control panel for monitoring. They may incorporate evaporative condensers and heat exchangers depending on the system they use to lower temperature. Cooling Aggregate There are also many different concrete plants that use cooling aggregates. Projects with limited space use air cooling of the aggregates since it eliminates the need for a dewatering system. For this process, cold air is blown in a continuous system throughout the aggregate bins. This will moisten the aggregates but it will eventually evaporate, so it will not raise the moisture level of the aggregate.