Factors that Influence the Efficiency of a Concrete Cooling System

When you purchase any type of machine or equipment, you want it to be efficient. You want it to fulfill the role that you need it for well. When you’re looking at concrete cooling systems, you need to know what factors affect their efficiency. This will help you get the system that is best for you and your business. At SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC you can build your own customized concrete cooling system. In order to better understand what you need and what influences efficiency, you have to know why concrete cooling systems are important and how different components of the system work.

Why Concrete Cooling Systems Are Important

If you’re a member of the construction industry and you pour concrete regularly, you need a concrete cooling system. This type of system is important because it helps you provide your customers with the highest quality concrete. SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC wants to provide you with the highest quality equipment and services so that you can provide high quality products and services to your customers. If you don’t have a concrete cooling system, your concrete is susceptible to cracking, low tensile strength, and non-uniformity.

These negative side effects happen when concrete is poured and it is too hot. When you mix cement aggregates with water, the process of making concrete, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction is largely exothermic, that means that it releases heat. If you have to pour large amounts of concrete, the temperature can exceed 200F. Thus, you need to have dependable, effective concrete cooling systems in place in order to leave your customers with high quality concrete that isn’t weak, crack-prone, non-uniform.

How Different Components of the System Works

Since SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC offers customizable concrete cooling systems there are of course different variables in these systems. Some main components that can be included in a concrete cooling system are:

• Water Chilling Plant – Most concrete cooling systems have a water chilling plant. This is used to cool the water that hydrates the cement. The cooler the water used the cooler the concrete’s temperature. That means that using cool water is an efficient way to cool concrete. Not only does this component efficiently cool water, but it is also much more power efficient than it has been in the past.
• Cold Water Tank – This component is used to store the water that is to be used in the hydration process. Once you have chilled the water in the chilling plant, you don’t want it to warm back up. That means that in order to keep the system efficient you have to have a cold water tank to store the cold water in. To increase the efficiency of this component, you can choose to have it insulated.
• Ice Plant – Beyond adding cold water in the hydration process, you can also add ice into the mixing drum to help keep the concrete cool. The type of ice used in this part of the system affects the efficiency. The most efficient type of ice is flake ice because it has the largest surface area, so it cools the best. It also melts quickly which helps keep the concrete uniform. The ice plant makes the ice that is used in the cooling process.
• Ice Storage Bin – Just as the cold water has to be stored, the ice also has to be stored. In order to increase the efficiency of the concrete cooling system, SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC allows you to choose to add an ice storage bin. This means you can make large quantities of ice and store it until it is needed in the concrete process.
• Ice Delivery and Weighing – This part of the system effects the efficiency to a high degree. The ice delivery and weighing component delivers a predetermined amount of ice to the mixing drum. In order to be highly efficient it has to deliver the ice in a consistent, reliable way. It may possibly use a blower, rotary valve and/or cyclone receiver.
• Aggregate Cooling With Water – When you need to keep the mixture extremely cool, you have to use an aggregate cooling system. Aggregate cooling with water is sometimes considered the less efficient method. You have to make sure that the water is at the perfect temperature for the size of the aggregate. It’s also considered less efficient because it can take up a lot of space.
• Aggregate Cooling With Air – Aggregate cooling with air is more efficient because it can continuously cool the aggregate through valves located at the bottom of the silo. It doesn’t require extra machinery. It also helps maintain a uniform amount of moisture in the aggregate.
• Sand Cooling – Sand cooling is only used when needed. It is a much more demanding cooling process than any of the aforementioned processes. It requires a highly customized system which SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC does offer.
• Post-Cooling – Another uncommon part of a concrete cooling system is post-pour cooling. It runs chilled water through a network of pipes in the poured concrete. This can be effective if done exactly right, but it can also cause irreparable damage if not done properly.

The components you use in your concrete cooling system affect the efficiency of the overall system.

How SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC Can Help You Customize Your Concrete Cooling System

You may not need or want every single component listed. Each business has its own requirements. We realize that and that is why we are able to help you customize your own concrete cooling system. We’ll help you meet your temperature goals with a high level of efficiency while having only the components that you need. Contact us to discuss the particulars of your concrete cooling system.