Ready-mixed concrete recycling system

Abstract

This article describes the technological diagram and equipment required for establishing a Ready-Mixed Concrete Recycling System, which allows to divide concrete into separate components, such as cement milk, crushed stone and sand. The waste from demolished concrete structures can be reused to reduce the environmental burden during their life cycle and ensure economic use of the construction resources. The recycled aggregate concrete is a sustainable concrete waste which in the long term can replace the demand for natural aggregate, a process which would, in turn, lead to its preservation. Most concrete industries have been observed to be reluctant in the production of recycled aggregate concrete and utilization in its maximum potential. Industries are yet to embrace it not only due to its uncertain material performance but also due to its unexplored manufacturing plant operations which are yet to be established. The system is using wireless communication technologies and data exchange between sensors and data acquisition devices. The raw materials obtained by the showcased recycling process could be reused in subsequent production cycles of ready-mixed concrete preparation. The following process could help reduce the growing amount of industrial waste generated with constant infrastructure improvements, which could be beneficial both from an environmental and economical standpoint.

Beneficial use of recycled aggregates from concrete sludge using a new dry washing technology

“…Any wash water must therefore be processed before being emitted back into nature or public waterways. One of the most used methods today is the type described by Maksimychev et al [14] where returned concrete is discharged into the feed hopper of the screw reclaimer. The coarse aggregates and sand are separated from cement paste by washing with water.…”