Technical University of Denmark relies on Eirich mixing technology
Since the introduction in 2005 of the “mixer with sequence automation and process data control,” initially known as the “mixer with university control,” more than 50 institutions around the world have utilized this technology in their mixers. The control system – currently offered as the Premium Touch Control – not only records the mixing work that has been performed, but also allows mixing tasks to be pre-selected ahead of the mixing process or its sub-steps. This helps users to discover new findings that were previously unavailable. Many diploma theses and degree dissertations have attested to the excellent results that are achieved with these mixers. Now the Faculty of Civil Engineering at DTU Danmarks Tekniske Universitet is also going to start using this technology.
Standard concrete mixers, regardless of whether single-shaft or twin-shaft mixers, whether ring trough mixers, planetary mixers or conical mixers, have mixing tools that run comparatively slowly and transport the material being mixed in a stationary mixing container, thereby mixing it in the process. To ensure that all the material is picked up and mixed, the tools need to run close to the bottom and side walls. Any material trapped between the tool and the edge will cause friction and wear, which means that part of the energy input into the mixing process is lost. Even minor changes e.g. to the grain size or moisture of the material will yield completely different figures if the performance is recorded.
Mixing procedure documented and 100 % reproducible
In an Eirich mixer, a further development of the planetary mixer, the material being mixed is transported through an inclined, rotating container. The process of mixing is performed by a rapidly rotating mixing tool, which is known as the rotor and has almost no contact to the bottom of the mixing pan and can therefore be operated with tool speeds up to more than 30 m/s. Together with the stationary wall/bottom scraper and two small bottom cleaning blades on the rotor, this significantly reduces friction and wear. Reproducibility and reliable performance recording are now possible with this setup. And since the material is fully mixed within a single rotation of the pan, these mixers perform their mixing duties without any demixing at all.
In the past it was not possible to quantitatively record and describe mixing processes. When producing simple types of concrete, approximate uniformness and homogeneity is achieved on the basis of empirical values. But, when developing new concretes, access to empirical values is limited. The “university control” system developed in close collaboration between Eirich process engineers and university employees registers and not only records all machine parameters (such as the speed of the mixing pan, the speed of the mixing tool, the power consumption of the mixing pan and the tool, and the temperatures of the mixture), but it also determines the relevant power input into the mixture. The mixing procedure is thus documented and 100 % reproducible. By monitoring the energy input it is possible to keep track visually of when the concrete is „ready.“
Green concrete developed in Copenhagen
Mixers are available with a usable volume from 40 l as laboratory mixers for construction materials, and the results can be feasibly upscaled to large production mixers. Mixer sizes between 1 l and 3,000 l only use one mixing tool (rotor). The material flow conditions in the small mixer correspond to those in a large mixer, making upscaling very straightforward.
The Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Byg) has now also started using the Eirich system. From its headquarters in Lyngby near Copenhagen, DTU is one of the best-ranked universities in the world (according to ranking lists available on the Internet), and it will be opening a new laboratory in November 2020 for concrete and material research in civil engineering. The expanded options that can be opened up for mixing technology by using an Eirich mixer of the size R09T (usable volume of 150 l) will open up a whole new world of discovery for the Materials department and will help them contribute to making Denmark more “green.” In terms of concrete, this ideally means reducing the amount of concrete used or replacing it altogether. Another research institution in Denmark – the Danish Technological Institute – is also involved in the project, and again they are also using Eirich mixers.
Among other things, the new plant being supplied by Eirich to DTU features 10 silos for aggregates and binding agents as well as an automated dosing system. A movable balance supplies both the new Eirich mixer (150 l) and another existing mixer (250 l). The dosing, weighing and mixing systems are all located on a highly-effective dedusting system. In line with the wishes of DTU, the system will also be available to external research and industry partners for joint research projects and trials.
