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Application of Flake Ice in Concrete Mixing Temperature Control
Application of Flake Ice in Concrete Mixing Temperature Control
Mass concrete placements for dams and high-rise foundations globally require temperature-controlled concrete. During curing, hydration heat release increases concrete strength – a negligible factor for small structures but critical for dams. This heat can raise concrete temperature by 25°C, causing thermal expansion. Subsequent cooling induces contraction, typically resulting in structural cracks.
To prevent this, the initial concrete temperature must be minimized (typically 7°C–15°C) to ensure peak curing temperatures stay within design limits. All such projects demand integrated concrete cooling systems.
Traditional Cooling Limitations
Conventional dam systems embed evaporator coils connected to ammonia refrigeration units. Post-placement, coils extract heat before removal, with cavities grout-filled. While partially effective, this method has critical flaws:
Non-uniform cooling distribution
Oversized refrigeration requirements
High complexity/cost
Core issue: Limited coil-concrete contact area necessitates excessive installations with diminishing returns.
Flake Ice: The Advanced Solution
Major projects (hydropower dams, HSR bridges, nuclear foundations) now use flake ice mixing to overcome traditional drawbacks, offering:
Highest efficiency: 10kg ice ≈ 1.2°C–1.4°C drop per m³
Optimal heat transfer: Direct particle-aggregate contact
Cost reduction: 40%+ lower vs. embedded systems
Immediate cooling: Integrated during mixingPrecision Implementation
Ice dosage requires strict calculation:
❌ Under-dosing: Incomplete cooling → thermal cracks
❌ Over-dosing: Voids → structural weakness
Standard dosage: 60kg/m³ counters:
Solar heat in aggregates
Hydration heat
Mixing friction heat
Delivery Systems
✅ SICECOLD Containerized Units
All-in-one: Ice production/storage/raking
Advantages: Plug-and-play, mobility, centralized control
Ideal for mega-projects
✅ Ice Maker + Slurry System
Ice → Water tank → Pumpable slurry
Direct injection into mixer
Advantages: Instant activation, simplified piping
Supplementary systems:
Aggregate spray cooling
Chilled-air precooling tunnels
Application of Flake Ice in Concrete Mixing Temperature Control
Application of Flake Ice in Concrete Mixing Temperature Control
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