A method and plant for cooling a mixture of concrete, includes: loading in a hermetically sealed tank a given quantity of ingredients to form the concrete, the ingredients including a predetermined quantity of water; regulating the pressure in the tank to obtain a transitory degree of vacuum in the tank; regulating the pressure inside a hermetically sealed condensation chamber to obtain a basic degree of vacuum in the condensation chamber that is greater than the transitory degree of vacuum, such that the pressure in the condensation chamber is lower than the pressure in the tank; operatively connecting the tank and the condensation chamber to substantially equalize the internal pressure in the tank and in the condensation chamber to a resulting degree of vacuum and to cause at least partial evaporation of the water from the tank towards the condensation chamber to lower the temperature of the ingredients in the tank.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that includes providing a liquid nitrogen storage system configured to cool a supply of liquid nitrogen to a temperature below the vapor point of liquid nitrogen; coupling a piping system with the liquid nitrogen storage system to convey a portion of the supply of liquid nitrogen from the liquid nitrogen storage system; coupling the piping system with a liquid nitrogen control valve configured to control a flow of liquid nitrogen to at least one liquid nitrogen dispensing head; disposing the at least one liquid nitrogen dispensing head above a conveyance device operable to convey an aggregate stream of a concrete batching plant during use; and disposing the at least one liquid nitrogen dispensing head in a position to dispense an output flow of liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate stream of the concrete batching plant during use.

A system and process for mixing and distributing building materials. This system and process can also include a way or a means for calibrating the mixing of these materials. This system and process can also include a system for tracking the materials that flow through the system, and for controlling the type of material used in the system.

Aspects involve an aggregate plow system that may be used in a system for cooling aggregate, such as may be found in a batch plant involved in producing concrete. The plow system generally contacts aggregate as it is conveyed by a conveyor belt to create a furrow within the aggregate prior to dispensing of liquid nitrogen or other coolant onto the aggregate. Additionally, the plow assembly may mix the ingredients of the aggregate on the belt by disputing the aggregate piled on the conveyor belt. The formation of the furrow, in place of a mound of aggregate on the belt, aids in retaining liquid nitrogen in the furrow such that it may better penetrate into the aggregate and thereby improving cooling. In either and both ways, the plow assembly improves dispersion of the coolant on and into the aggregate as it is conveyed by the conveyor belt.

A system and process for mixing and distributing building materials. This system and process can also include a way or a means for calibrating the mixing of these materials. This system and process can also include a system for tracking the materials that flow through the system, and for controlling the type of material used in the system.

Method and installation (100) for providing a batch of fresh concrete having a temperature in a predetermined temperature range at a remote point of use, whereby a control unit (140) controls at least one step of cooling of cement and/or aggregate and/or mixing water before mixing and/or of the fresh concrete, during the production of the batch.

An apparatus, system, device, and the like, for a liquid nitrogen dispensing head that may be used in a system for cooling aggregate, such as may be found in a batch plant involved in producing concrete. The dispensing head is positioned over a conveyor belt that conveys aggregate to a mixing apparatus to produce concrete. The head dispenses liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate to cool the aggregate and may include interior chambers separated by one or more baffles. The chambers may reduce the pressure of the liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate in relation to the flow pressure of the liquid nitrogen entering the dispensing head. In another example, an assembly may include sidewalls that extend to the aggregate on either side of the head to form a cooling tunnel through which the aggregate is conveyed and is exposed to the liquid nitrogen being dispensed from the head.

Aspects involve controlling application of a coolant, such as liquid nitrogen, to an aggregate on a conveyance system based on detecting the presence of the aggregate on the conveyance system. A sensor, such as a load sensor, may be located on or near the conveyance system upstream from a dispensing system of the coolant. The load sensor may detect the presence of aggregate on the conveyance device and provide an indication of the presence to a controller. The controller may, in turn, control a dispensing system to either apply or prevent application of the coolant onto the aggregate in response to the output of the load sensor. Through controlling of the dispensing system based on detection of the presence of aggregate on the conveyance device, damage to the conveyance device may be avoided or prevented, prolonging the life of the conveyance device.

Aspects involve estimating transitions in properties of a concrete mixture prior to batching and during transport of the mixture from a first location, such as a concrete batch plant, to a second location, such as a job site and controlling a mixture of ingredients for concrete in response. A tool may execute a method for estimating an initial temperature at batching and a change in temperature of the concrete mixture during transport due to the exothermic reaction of the mixture, percentages and types of ingredients of the mixture, and/or environmental factors along a transit route. A control system at the concrete batching plant may control one or more components of the concrete batch plant in response to the estimated temperature change, such as a dispenser of an ingredient of the mixture and/or a heating or cooling mechanism to adjust the temperature of an ingredient of the concrete mixture.

Aspects involve estimating transitions in properties of a concrete mixture prior to batching and during transport of the mixture from a first location, such as a concrete batch plant, to a second location, such as a job site and controlling a mixture of ingredients for concrete in response. A tool may execute a method for estimating an initial temperature at batching and a change in temperature of the concrete mixture during transport due to the exothermic reaction of the mixture, percentages and types of ingredients of the mixture, and/or environmental factors along a transit route. A control system at the concrete batching plant may control one or more components of the concrete batch plant in response to the estimated temperature change, such as a dispenser of an ingredient of the mixture and/or a heating or cooling mechanism to adjust the temperature of an ingredient of the concrete mixture.