Concrete is a mixture of aggregate (fine or coarse), cement, and water – it is a building material widely used in modern construction due to its strength, durability, and versatility. Depending on the ratio of individual components, concrete can be produced in a wide range of compressive strengths or qualities.
The concrete mixes were prepared by hand, which took a lot of time and lacked precision. With increasing demand and advancement in technology, concrete mix, even in small applications, is now being prepared using concrete mixers. Concrete mixers are devices capable of preparing concrete mixtures of various strengths precisely and quickly.
Let Us Now Understand the Different Types of Concrete Plants and Their Components.
Types Of Concrete Plants
Different types of concrete plants have been designed by manufacturers to suit individual needs. These different types will help to satisfy unique requirements.
A concrete plant is classified into two types:
- Dry mix concrete plants
- Wet mix concrete plants
As the name suggests, dry mix plants produce concrete that is dry before they are sent to the transit mixer. All the required materials, such as aggregate, sand, and cement, are weighed and then shipped to the transport mixer. Water is added to the transit mixer. On the way to the site, the concrete is mixed inside the transit mixer.
In the case of wet mix type machines, the materials are weighed individually and then added to the mixing unit, where the mixing unit mixes the materials homogeneously and then sends them to the transport mixer or pumping unit. They offer a much more consistent product because all ingredients are mixed in a central location in a computer-aided environment, ensuring product uniformity.
Components Of a Concrete Batching Plant
Aggregate feeders
One of the most important components is the power supply unit. The hoppers are placed next to each other to facilitate the feeding of coarse aggregate and sand. There are different numbers of bins that will hold various sizes of aggregate or sand in different compartments. The reason for placing each material (by size) in separate bins is that each material will be weighed separately according to the specified mixing ratio.
Air compressor
The air compressor is one of the crucial components here. It is used to control all the pneumatic operations of the concrete mixer, such as opening and sealing the cylinders that manage the feeder sluices; opening and closing the throttles fitted with hoppers; opening and closing the mixing unit sluice; etc.
Control panel
The control panel will control the operation of the machine. The latest machines are equipped with PLC panels for ease of use. It is also possible to store and print recipes of mixed materials with the new equipment. The control panel helps in measuring ingredients quickly and accurately. With the increasing demand for high-quality and precision concrete, it is essential to produce quality material without waste. Here, the control panel helps to control all components of the dosing device.
Conveyor for aggregate weigh
The weighing conveyor is usually located below the aggregate feeders. It is suspended and suspended from load cells. This involves weighing the aggregates one by one and then moving them onto the loading conveyor of the container. The full is discharged onto the weighing conveyor by opening and closing pneumatic cylinders.
Scale for weighing cement
Cement weighing scales hold the cement in small quantities, which are transferred from the cement silo/hopper using the screw conveyor. His job is to weigh the aggregate before dispatching it to the mixing unit.
Mixing unit
This is the most critical part and the heart of the concrete plant. The blender’s job is to take all the ingredients and mix them thoroughly for a set amount of time. It then discharges the contents into a transport mixer or mobile concrete pump.
