Abstract: Apparatus for mixing aqueous foam with a slurry of gypsum and water. A cylindrical housing includes, in its upper end, an inlet for a slurry and a helical diverter for directing the slurry in a downward spiral flow path. An inlet for aqueous foam in located in said diverted and directs the foam into the incoming slurry. An annular flow restrictor is located in the lower end of the housing. Turbulence resulting from diversion of the incoming slurry from linear flow to a downward spiral flow path and from changes in spin diameter and speed through the flow restrictor uniformly mix foam with the slurry.

Abstract: Producing both colored and noncolored lightweight aggregates. The processes involve mixing a lightweight fine material such as ash with cement, and optionally pigment, then agglomerating the mixture, curing, and sizing the lightweight aggregate. Calcium stearate is added to the lightweight aggregate for reducing the moisture permeability of the lightweight aggregate end product. The colored and noncolored lightweight aggregate may be used in a variety of ways such as to provide a lightweight concrete mix with the same exterior and interior color, and for other asphalt pavement, geotechnical, horticulture, and specialty uses.

Abstract: A process and equipment for producing multi-color concrete products, including architectural concrete blocks, concrete bricks, modular concrete products that are suitable for use in landscaping applications, such as retaining wall blocks, concrete pavers, and concrete slabs. The invention includes a hopper that is divided into separate sections, with each section intended to contain a differently colored concrete. Each hopper section includes a controllable discharge opening that permits precise control of the amount of each concrete color that is discharged from the hopper. The colored concrete is then transported to and dumped into a hopper of a concrete product production machine, where the concrete is blended into a multi-color concrete blend for use in producing the concrete products.

Abstract: A continuous preparation of calcium hydroxide slurry can be made on a mobile apparatus that uses an eductor to initially combine metered flows of calcium oxide and water. The calcium hydroxide slurry is retained in a deaerating sump and then pumped into a serpentine centrifugal mixer so that the reaction of the calcium oxide and the water is safely complete. Because the apparatus allows the calcium hydroxide slurry to be recirculated into the deaerating sump, the slaking process can continue even when it is necessary to pause the discharge of slurry to change transport tankers.

Abstract: Packeted fibers comprise a plurality of fibers arranged in side-by-side manner, said plurality of fibers being cut perpendicularly to obtain terminal cut ends, and said terminal cut fiber ends being separably-binded together by a binding material along a plane defined by said fiber ends, whereby said plurality of fibers form a collated packet that facilitates introduction of the fibers into a castable composition, such as a concrete mix, and also facilitates dispersal and substantially uniform distribution of the fibers within the castable composition. Methods for packeting fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A first mixer trailer forms the plant frame foundation around a twelve-yard compulsory mixer. The compulsory mixer is mounted for elevation relative to plant frame foundation by hydraulic lifting columns. In system erection, a cement silo trailer is first mounted to the top of the compulsory mixer when the compulsory mixer is at ground level. Thereafter, both the mounted silo and the compulsory mixer are raised and pinned in place by the hydraulic lifting columns so that gravitational discharge of mixed concrete can occur directly from the compulsory mixer to an underlying transporting apparatus, usually a truck.

Abstract: A first mixer trailer forms the plant frame foundation around a twelve-yard compulsory mixer. The compulsory mixer is mounted for elevation relative to plant frame foundation by hydraulic lifting columns. In system erection, a cement silo trailer is first mounted to the top of the compulsory mixer when the compulsory mixer is at ground level. Thereafter, both the mounted silo and the compulsory mixer are raised and pinned in place by the hydraulic lifting columns so that gravitational discharge of mixed concrete can occur directly from the compulsory mixer to an underlying transporting apparatus, usually a truck.

Abstract: A method for delivering concrete to a construction site comprises charging concrete ingredients into a concrete delivery mixing truck, mixing the ingredients, to form concrete of a slump, monitoring the slump of the concrete, adding water to the concrete to adjust the slump, storing the slump in a memory device on the concrete delivery mixing truck at least a plurality of times during delivery of the concrete, displaying the slump on a display device on the concrete delivery mixing truck, substantially repeating the method, unloading the concrete at the construction site, and downloading contents of the memory device to a computer located at a dispatch site for the concrete delivery mixing truck via a wireline transfer.

Abstract: The method of adding migrating corrosion inhibitors to a raw concrete mix by loading a migrating corrosion inhibitor in powder form within a container fabricated from a water soluble film, and thereafter depositing the container into a hydrated concrete mix for blending. The container is preferably fabricated from a film consisting of polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A four trailer portable concrete batching and mixing plant has production volumes of up to 600 cubic yards of concrete per hour of paving concrete meeting exacting modem paving standards. A first mixer trailer with a mounted water tank forms the plant frame foundation at a twelve-yard compulsory mixer. A second silo trailer having 900 barrel capacity has cantilever support from a steered towing wheel set at the bottom of the silo. The silo trailer is backed at the steered towing wheel set to the side of the compulsory mixer trailer and pinned at its cantilevered connection for pivotal erection. Once pinned to the side of the compulsory mixer trailer, a silo trailer contained jacking system self erects the silo utilizing the compulsory mixer and trailer as a foundation. With the silo erected, a third aggregate trailer occupies the footprint vacated by the erected silo.

Abstract: An improved oil and gas well servicing apparatus for blending and delivering a slurry of fracturing fluid and particulate matter at constant flow rate and pressure to a downhole pump is disclosed. Multiple blending tubs are mounted on a trailer or skid and are manifolded together in a slurry discharge manifold. The slurry discharge manifold combines the slurry discharged by the blending tubs and incorporates pipe sections of equal length to connect the blending tubs to the manifold. It is believed that the slurry discharge manifold and equal length piping provide balanced pressure drop between the individual blending tubs and creates a constant outlet pressure from the slurry discharge manifold. A fluid intake manifold may also be included to distribute fracturing fluid to the blending tubs. Hose connectors on each of the manifolds are provided on both sides of the apparatus for convenient operation from either side.

Abstract: An improved oil and gas well servicing apparatus for blending and delivering a slurry of fracturing fluid and particulate matter at constant flow rate and pressure to a downhole pump is disclosed. Multiple blending tubs are mounted on a trailer or skid and are manifolded together in a slurry discharge manifold. The slurry discharge manifold combines the slurry discharged by the blending tubs and incorporates pipe sections of equal length to connect the blending tubs to the manifold. It is believed that the slurry discharge manifold and equal length piping provide balanced pressure drop between the individual blending tubs and creates a constant outlet pressure from the slurry discharge manifold. A fluid intake manifold may also be included to distribute fracturing fluid to the blending tubs. Hose connectors on each of the manifolds are provided on both sides of the apparatus for convenient operation from either side.

Abstract: A method and system operable with a front discharge transit mixer to facilitate multiple deliveries of concrete materials from a single batch of concrete material. The system includes an interactive weight system which is utilized by the transit mixer operator to quantify the amount of material discharged at each delivery point. The front discharge transit mixer has a plurality of fluid springs in which the pressure is sensed and thereafter interpreted to obtain the initial weight of the truck and concrete material prior to delivery of a first quantity of concrete. After the discharge of the first quantity of concrete, the pressure within the plurality of fluid springs is sensed and thereafter interpreted to determine the quantity of concrete remaining in the front discharge transit mixer. The discharging of concrete can continue with the determination of the quantity of concrete for each discharge.

Abstract: Molding sand of a used greensand mold is recycled by adding water and binder to sand particles fatigued by heating applied by a molten metal during molding and segregated from vigorous molding sand not directly heated by the molten metal and mixing the refreshed molding sand particles with the vigorous molding sand.

Abstract: Methods and articles for reinforcing castable compositions through the use of reinforcing elements maintained in a close-packed alignment in a dispersible containment means.

Abstract: A materials mixer, suitable for mixing concrete, comprises a generally cylindrical housing (10) which houses a mixing chamber (15) consisting of an upper, dry mixing chamber portion (2), a central, wet mixing chamber portion (3) and a lower, discharge chamber portion (4). The materials mixer has an entrance (20) for materials to be mixed and an exit (25) for the complete mixture, between which are a plurality of rotating members (30, 40, 50, 60) which disrupt the flow of materials through the chamber (15) causing mixing of the materials. The shape of the mixing chamber is defined by a plurality of baffle plates (11, 12, 16) which help determine the path of the materials though the chamber.

Abstract: Methods and articles for reinforcing castable compositions through the use of reinforcing elements maintained in a close-packed alignment in a dispersible containment means.

Abstract: An apparatus for high capacity production of high-fluidity, colloidally mixed cement slurry. Water and cement dust are combined at metered rates by a premixing assembly which discharges into a mixing tub. The high-speed, high-shear pump recirculates the material through the tub to produce the colloidally-mixed slurry. The high-fluidity slurry may be provided to a second pump, preferably of the positive-displacement, progressive-cavity, rotor-stator type, for supplying the slurry at a metered rate. Finished foam material may also be provided to the slurry metering pump at the metered rate, so the materials are mixed to form a foamed cement grout in which the weight and quality of the material is precisely adjustable.

Abstract: An automatic cementing system and method are disclosed for precisely controlling the density of a slurry during a continuously mixed cement application. The system includes an input water line and a dry cement hopper for supplying water and cement, respectively, to a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes two chambers, Chamber A and Chamber B, for thoroughly mixing the water and cement together to form a cement slurry. Chamber B includes a level sensor for measuring the change in slurry level. The input line includes a pump for supplying the water to the mixing chamber, and a flow meter for measuring the rate at which the water is supplied. Similarly, the hopper includes a slide-gate valve for regulating the rate at which the dry cement is supplied to the mixing chamber. A discharge line with a discharge pump and a discharge flow meter receives and discharges cement slurry. A recirculation line is included for density control during initialization.

Abstract: An automatic cementing system and method are disclosed for precisely controlling the density of a slurry during a continuously mixed cement application. The system includes an input water line and a dry cement hopper for supplying water and dry cement, respectively, to a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes two chambers, Chamber A and Chamber B, for thoroughly mixing the water and cement together to form a cement slurry. Chamber B includes a level sensor for measuring the change in slurry level. The input line includes a pump for supplying the water to the mixing chamber, and a flow meter for measuring the rate at which the water is supplied. Similarly, the hopper includes a rotary valve for regulating the rate at which the dry cement is supplied to the mixing chamber and a speed sensor for measuring the speed of the rotary valve. A discharge line with a discharge pump and a discharge flow meter receives and discharges cement slurry.

Abstract: A system and method for mixing particulate cement with mineral aggregate(s) so as to minimize the formation and escape of dust. The system involves dispensing aggregate(s) downwardly from a hopper and simultaneously dispensing the cement particles from a tube within the aggregate hopper above the hopper opening. The cement particles adhere to moisture on the surface of the aggregate(s).

Abstract: A cement mixing and slurry density control system utilizes an improved eductor mixer for particular use in a cementing process for an oil or gas well.

Abstract: Mixing material around an inner agitator in a mixing vessel is urged upward and outward by rotating the inner agitator in one direction. Simultaneously, mixing material around or adjacent an outer agitator is urged downward and inward by rotating the outer agitator in the opposite direction. Consequently, the mixing materials urged upward and downward are caused to be circulated by convection in the mixing vessel and the mixing materials urged outward and inward are caused to collide between the inner and outer agitator, thus forming a high-pressure region between the inner and outer agitator. The mixing materials are mashed in the high-pressure region and well mixed in a short time at high efficiency without being agglutinated to the inner agitator.

Abstract: An automatic cementing system and method are disclosed for precisely controlling the density of a slurry during a continuously mixed cement application. The system includes an input water line and a dry cement hopper for supplying water and dry cement, respectively, to a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes two chambers, Chamber A and Chamber B, for thoroughly mixing the water and cement together to form a cement slurry. Chamber B includes a level sensor for measuring the change in slurry level. The input line includes a pump for supplying the water to the mixing chamber, and a flow meter for measuring the rate at which the water is supplied. Similarly, the hopper includes a rotary valve for regulating the rate at which the dry cement is supplied to the mixing chamber and a speed sensor for measuring the speed of the rotary valve. A discharge line with a discharge pump and a discharge flow meter receives and discharges cement slurry.

Abstract: A method of producing activated construction mixture composed of cement, sand, water and additive introduced at an end of mixing, the method includes the steps of mixing components in a mixer with a specific consumed power of 30-600 watt/kg of mixture, using for the mixing an impeller, determining a consumed power and energy spent for mixing and establishing it within 5.0-400.0 kilo joule/kg of mixture, introducing an admixture after increase in a temperature of the mixture to 40.degree.-75.degree. C.

Abstract: An automated density and chemical controller automatically controls the density and chemical proportions of a slurry that is injected into a well during a well fracturing operation. The automated density controller receives from the operator the parameters of the fracturing operation and automatically controls the addition of a proppant to water to produce a slurry with a desired density. The automated density controller measures the incoming flow of water into a blender tub and regulates the delivery of proppant in the blender tub to produce a slurry of the desired density. The performance characteristics of the mechanism used to deliver the proppant are programmed into the controller to enable the controller to regulate the quantity of proppant delivered by controlling the operational speed of the delivery mechanism. The automated chemical controller regulates the addition of chemicals based on the incoming flow rate.

Abstract: This invention discloses a high rate, cement slurry mixing system and method which produces a highly dispersed slurry with the lowest possible viscosity in respect to the water cement ratio and the type and amount of chemical dispersant used in the slurry formulation. The slurry so produced is used in soil-cement construction operations and has the advantage of delayed hydration to allow reasonable time for slurry transport, spreading, intermixing with the soil, plus time for grading, shaping and compaction before a significant amount of cement hydration (setting) occurs.

Abstract: There is provided in a pressure feed pipe for feeding cement paste under pressure a wall panel assembly formed of a plurality of wall panels having collision surfaces and through holes and arranged at predetermined intervals. High-strength or superhigh-strength mortar or concrete is produced by kneading a designed amount of binder material comprising cement or cement and a pozzolan material together with a predetermined amount of water, passing this cement paste through the abovementioned pressure feed pipe to crush the cement balls contained in the cement paste and thus to homogenize the paste, and kneading the thus homogenized cement paste together with fine aggregate or fine and coarse aggregates.

Abstract: A cement mixing and pumping simulator comprises actual and virtual equipment. In response to an operator controlling this equipment, signals representing operating characteristics of a cement mixing system realistically represented by the actual and virtual equipment are generated. These signals are communicated for displaying the operating characteristics to the operator so that the operator obtains real-time responses to the operator's control of the actual and virtual equipment.

Abstract: A portable system for on-site batch mixing of cementitious materials, such as mortar and grout, includes a batch mixing machine for metering and mixing cement, sand and water, a cement storage silo sized to hold at least one commercial delivery truckload of cement, and a pair of sand supporting ground pads. The large cement storage silo significantly reduces the manpower and equipment costs associated with the overall batch mixing process, and the sand support pads operate to prevent dirt contamination of the cementitious mixture. A specially designed pressurized shaft bearing/seal structure provided on the batch mixer portion of the mixing machine reduces grease seal and bearing maintenance by essentially precluding entry of cementitious material into the seal and bearing. The pressurized system utilizes either a spring or air under pressure to establish a higher pressure in the grease supply than that in the mortar.

Abstract: A surge bin for continuously collecting material such as conditioned ash from a nearby, non-contiguous ash conditioning pug mill and loading a haulage vehicle. The conditioned ash surge bin comprises a collection bin having walls and a door assembly forming the floor for collecting the conditioned ash. A support frame supports the collection bin above the height of the haulage vehicle so that the door assembly can unload the material into the haulage vehicle. The door assembly has two plates slidably mounted on the collection bin for movement between open and closed positions In order to transport the ash conditioning surge bin between different locations, the support frame of the conditioning ash surge bin houses a plurality of hydraulic jacks which can raise and lower the conditioned ash surge bin so that the haulage vehicle, supporting a conditioned ash surge bin carrier frame, can transport the conditioned ash surge bin to a new loading site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved concrete additive product comprising synthetic concrete reinforcing fibers packaged in a closed paper package, whereby under the influence of mechanical action in a concrete mixer, the packaging material disintegrates and the fibers are uniformly distributed throughout the fresh concrete mixture. The synthetic fibers may additionally be coated with a dispersant. The present invention also relates to the methods of using the above improved concrete additive product.

Abstract: A method of mixing materials includes a fluid medium, such as an aqueous fluid or a gas, continuously introduced into a mixing column for a time sufficient to allow the fluid to at least substantially fill the column. A predetermined amount of at least one primary material is introduced into the upper end of the mixing column. The primary material is permitted to descend through the fluid medium at a predetermined rate. Secondary materials are introduced into the mixing column through at least one end or through at least one position along the side of the mixing column at an angle and velocity sufficient to cause the secondary materials to intimately contact the primary material along its path of descent through the fluid medium so that the primary and secondary materials are continuously mingled as they descend through the fluid medium until they reach the lower end of the mixing column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for modifying the properties of a concrete by introducing a solid admixture, contained in a paper package, into a fresh concrete, said solid admixture being selected from the group consisting of air-entraining admixtures, air detrainer admixture, accelerating admixture, alkali-reactivity reducer, superplasticizer, pumping aids, water-reducing admixture, corrosion inhibitor, permeability reducer, fibers, and mixtures thereof; and mixing the fresh concrete in a batch type mixer for sufficient time to cause the packaging material to disintegrate and distribute the admixture relatively uniformly throughout the fresh concrete.

Abstract: A portable system for on-site batch mixing of cementitious materials, such as mortar and grout, includes a batch mixing machine for metering and mixing cement, sand and water, a cement storage silo sized to hold at least one commercial delivery truckload of cement, and a pair of sand supporting ground pads. The large cement storage silo significantly reduces the manpower and equipment costs associated with the overall batch mixing process, and the sand support pads operate to prevent dirt contamination of the cementitious mixture. The water storage portion is provided with a simplified, floatless fill level control system and an improved water heating system which significantly reduces water temperature stratification. A specially designed pressurized shaft bearing/seal structure provided on the batch mixer portion of the mixing machine reduces grease and seal maintenance and functions to essentially preclude entry of cementitious material into the shaft bearing.

Abstract: The present invention aims to evenly and surely knead a concrete material comprising less water amount. Concrete material layer entered into a kneading tank is cut in an up-and-down direction and divided into a plurality of layer sections arrayed side by side along a right-and-left direction, and one of the divided layer sections is piled up another one of the divided layer sections in the up-and-down direction, then piled up concrete layer sections are compacted, in other words are pressed in the up-and-down direction and extended in a horizontal direction, and further these steps are repeated.

Abstract: A process for producing micropellets of lightweight aggregate having a substantially spheroidal configuration which includes continuously mixing ceramic clay and liquid in a high speed rotating pin mixer to encapsulate substantially all other non-volatile inorganic solid materials present in micropellets having a diameter not exceeding about six mesh. The spheroidal micropellets are then fired at a temperature of at least 2,000.degree. F. to oxidize all volatile organic compounds present. The lightweight aggregate of micropellets can advantageously be used to replace sand in a cement or concrete matrix, as a well as for numerous other uses.

Abstract: A system and method for reclaiming unused portions of mixed concrete by adding a chemical agent to retard the hydration state of the concrete for up to several days. When the stored concrete is again desired for use, a chemical accelerating agent is added to the mixed concrete which returns the hydration state to normal, once again allowing the concrete to set. The concrete can then be poured at a construction site or alternatively, the stored concrete can be added to a new batch of newly mixed concrete before pouring.

Abstract: A method is described for mixing a difficult to wet, finely divided powder, e.g. alumina dust, with an aqueous liquid, e.g. Bayer process spent liquor. In the method, the liquor is introduced into a cylindrical mixing zone having a conical bottom zone, the liquor being continuously introduced into the mixing zone as a high velocity stream tangentially immediately above the conical zone to thereby form a rapidly moving vortex within the mixing zone. The dust is caused to fall into the center of the vortex whereby the dust is rapidly engulfed by the liquor with little or no dusting. The thus formed slurry is continuously removed from the bottom of the conical zone and may be processed through a classification circuit, to be separated as fine seed and returned to the precipitation circuit where the fine particles are agglomerated and grown to larger particles of alumina by contact with Bayer process pregnant liquor.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for mixing water from a pressurized source and an additive or admixture for a cementitious composition in a mixing chamber comprising introducing, in the form of a jet, water under a first pressure, which is above atmospheric pressure, and introducing the additive under a second pressure between atmospheric pressure and the first pressure, the amount of the additive that is introduced to the mixing chamber being controlled by means regulated by the pressure of water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing, transporting, disposing and distributing a load of cement slurry, especially for highway and similar construction work. This method is particularly adapted to be used to reconstruct old road beds, which already have a surface material thereon, but which surface has deteriorated to such an extent that a new road surface is required. This method and apparatus provide a greatly improved safety means to the construction industry, which heretofore has relied on the "dry cement powder" process, which generates a toxic dust cloud that is harmful to humans, animals and vegetation, to obtain the widely used "cement treated base" for construction or renovation of roads, streets and highways.

Abstract: A mixer for mortar has part of its water feed introduced between a rotating isk and the floor of the disk housing, this water being propelled outward through an annular constriction in the clearance between the disk and the housing so that the rotor is kept constantly pressured by the inflowing water. The rest of the water is introduced through inlets spaced in a ringlike arrangement in the housing cover so as to produce a continuous water film on the rotating disk, onto which the powdered plaster and any other additives are fed.

Abstract: A method is provided to generate over a confined space precisely defined distributions of the magnitude of the wall shearing stresses in a substrate/fluid boundary layer. A fluid flow is rotated around a center axis in the confined space. Simultaneously a defined fluid volume is removed in the rotational axis of the flow per unit time and recirculated or replenished through return openings in the lid or sidewall.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus for discharging, on a batch basis, cement and water as a slurry or in the form of separate discharges of slurry and cement, where the materials so discharged contain a predetermined amount of water and a predetermined amount of cement, is disclosed. A major quantity of water and all or a major quantity of the cement is mixed in a slurry mixer to produce a primary slurry. A major portion of the primary slurry is then discharged, and the remaining slurry mixed with the remaining quantity of water for discharge as a second slurry. A minor portion of the cement can optionally be added to a dry chamber for discharge therefrom. The slurry mixer and dry chamber, which are substantially closed systems, can be vented together, and then vented to atmosphere, so that air in the slurry mixer which is displaced during water and cement charging flows through the dry chamber.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for forming an encapsulation or encasement about a structural member that is particularly well suited for use in a marine environment is disclosed. A two component polymer system for protective and repair encapsulation is pumpable in two separate streams to the location of the structural member to be encapsulated. The two reactive components are combined in a static mixer immediately prior to being injected within the surrounding translucent jacket. By combining the reactive components immediately prior to use, premature set up is avoided and the resulting grout may be directed to flow upwardly in the jacket for enhancing final properties. By suitable coloring of the components, visual monitoring of the final mixing and distribution in the translucent form or jacket of the encapsulation material may be monitored. A field test for determining bond strength of the encapsulation polymer to the structural member is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the characteristics of a fluid and in particular of a cement slurry for the cementing of wells, particularly of oil wells, wherein it consists in applying to this fluid an energy of between 4.8 and 6.3 kJ/kg, by incorporating adapted pressure drops, in line, before the well head and at the outlet of a high-pressure pump, said pressure drops being substantially independent of the flowrate. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for mixing gravel materials and bitumen. The gravel material is mixed with a bitumen emulsion by causing the gravel material to fall onto an inclined screen (12) separating coarse gravel particles (G) from fine gravel particles (g) in such a manner that the coarse gravel particles and fine gravel particles follow different paths of free fall while spraying bitumen separately onto the two gravel follows which then are reunited via oppositely inclined baffles (20, 22). Preferably the reunited bituminous gravel material is then sprayed with additional bitumen and then allowed to fall freely onto further baffles (26, 28).

Abstract: A method of mixing particulate cement and water in a primary mixing vessel to form a slurry batch, includes introducing a measured quantity of water into the vessel, introducing a measured quantity of particulate cement into the vessel, agitating the water and cement in the vessel to form a slurry, and while continuing such agitating, pumping slurry from the lower interior extend of the vessel and delivering the pumped slurry to the upper interior of the vessel, at high velocity, removing slurry from the vessel for flow to an auxiliary mixing vessel for mixing with aggregate, and employing wash water to wash remanent slurry from surfaces in the primary mixing vessel for flow to the auxiliary vessel.

Abstract: A method wherein the extraction of a quantity of sand, with a granular size and distribution ratio, are subjected to a moisturing or dewatering treatment until a moisture content of a maximum of 15% m/m is attained; supplying and/or storing in bulk of an aggregate, such as fly-ash, with a smaller granular size than that of the sand fraction; and feeding and mixing the sand fraction and aggregate by means of a through-flow process, the mixture being poured or delivered so that a base material for mortar will have an optimal grain size distribution ratio and homogeneous composition.

Abstract: In a process for mixing wet molding materials, particularly wet molding sands used for foundry purposes, the dry components of the molding materials are premixed in a container and, following the premixing of the moist components of the molding materials, are added and then homogenized with the dry components by further mixing. To reduce the mixing time, improve the mixing result and prevent contamination of mixer parts above free surface level of the dry components, the moist components are added under an overpressure to the premixed dry components below the surface level of the premixed dry components.