Concrete pumps are machines that transport liquid concrete from one place to another, usually through pipelines or hoses. They are widely used in construction projects, such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, dams, etc. Concrete pumps consist of several components, such as a hopper, a valve system, a pumping unit, and a delivery system. One of the most important parts of a concrete pump is the boiler mixing equipment, which is responsible for mixing the concrete before pumping it. The boiler mixing equipment includes four main elements: shaft, paddle, mixer shaft, and hydraulic pump. In this article, we will briefly introduce each of these elements and their functions.
Shaft: The shaft is the rotating part of the boiler mixing equipment that connects the paddle to the mixer shaft. The shaft is usually made of steel or alloy and has a diameter of 50 mm or more. The shaft transfers the torque from the mixer shaft to the paddle and enables the paddle to rotate and mix the concrete. The shaft also supports the weight of the paddle and the concrete in the hopper. The shaft should be strong enough to withstand the stress and wear caused by the rotation and friction.
Paddle: The paddle is the part of the boiler mixing equipment that directly contacts and mixes the concrete in the hopper. The paddle is usually made of steel or alloy and has a shape of a blade or a wing. The paddle can be either left-handed or right-handed, depending on the direction of rotation. The paddle can also be hard-welded to increase its durability and resistance to abrasion1. The paddle creates a fluidized zone in the hopper, where the concrete is lifted and dispersed by the air flow generated by the rotation. The paddle also helps to prevent segregation and agglomeration of the concrete particles.
Mixer Shaft: The mixer shaft is the part of the boiler mixing equipment that connects the shaft to the hydraulic pump. The mixer shaft is usually made of steel or alloy and has a diameter of 50 mm or more. The mixer shaft transfers the power from the hydraulic pump to the shaft and enables the shaft to rotate and drive the paddle. The mixer shaft also supports the weight of the shaft and the paddle. The mixer shaft should be strong enough to withstand the stress and wear caused by the rotation and friction.
Hydraulic Pump: The hydraulic pump is the part of the boiler mixing equipment that provides the power for the rotation of the mixer shaft. The hydraulic pump is usually an electric motor or an internal combustion engine that converts electrical or mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. The hydraulic pump generates a high-pressure fluid flow that moves a piston or a cylinder in the pumping unit. The piston or cylinder then pushes a rod that is connected to the mixer shaft. The rod moves back and forth and causes the mixer shaft to rotate.
The boiler mixing equipment is a vital component of a concrete pump that ensures the quality and efficiency of concrete pumping. By understanding its elements and functions, we can better maintain and operate it in our projects.
