WO2010076431A1

WO2010076431A1 - Method for producing a mixture of several components including a hydraulic binder

Info

Publication number: WO2010076431A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/001457
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnaud Schwartzentruber; Günther Walenta; Sébastien Georges
Original assignee: Lafarge
Priority date: 2008-12-19
Filing date: 2009-12-18
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Also published as: EP2379213A1; FR2940277B1; FR2940277A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a mixture of at least a first and a second component, at least the first or second component being a hydraulic binder, wherein the method includes the following steps: (i) allocating, on the production site of the first component, and to at least one portion of the first component, a data storage device in which at least one identifier of the portion of the first component is stored; (ii) determining the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first component; (iii) storing the identifier and the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first component; (iv) determining, on the mixture production site, the identifier by reading the data storage device; (v) providing a formulation of the mixture depending on the stored physical and/or chemical characteristics corresponding to the identifier; and (vi) producing said mixture with said formulation, at least partially with said portion of the first component.

Description

PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A MIXTURE OF SEVERAL CONSTITUENTS INCLUDING A HYDRAULIC BINDER

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a mixture of several constituents including a hydraulic binder. In particular, the subject of the present invention is a process for manufacturing a mixture of at least first and second constituents, at least the first or second constituent being a hydraulic binder and whose formulation is determined in particular as a function of characteristics. physical and / or chemical components of the first component.

An example of a mixture comprising a hydraulic binder is cement, concrete, cement-based glue, cementitious plaster, etc.

A concrete is composed of aggregates (ie sand, gravel, gravel, pebbles) which are linked together by a hydraulic binder, for example a cement. When the hydraulic binder is exposed to water, it hydrates and sets. Adjuvants are optionally added to improve the characteristics of the hydraulic binder.

A cement consists of clinker and possibly additives and mineral additives, for example fly ash, pozzolans, filler materials of a mineral nature, slag.

A concrete or cement is defined in particular by its formulation, which corresponds to the list of constituents, with the proportion of each constituent, to be used during the manufacture of concrete or cement. In general, the formulation of a concrete includes the type and quantity of cement, the quantity of water, the type and quantity of aggregates and, if necessary, the amount of admixtures to be used to make a cubic meter of concrete fresh. The concrete formulation is determined to obtain the desired rheological and mechanical properties of the concrete. As the rheological property of concrete, it may be desirable to obtain a determined slump of the concrete measured with an Abrams cone. As a mechanical property, it may be desirable to obtain a precise value of compressive strength achieved by the concrete after a specified time, for example 28 days. The formulation of a cement includes the type and amount of clinker, the amount of mineral additions and the amount of admixtures to be used to make a ton of cement. The formulation of the cement is determined to promote the achievement of chemical and physical properties are within specific ranges, for example by EN 197-1.

There are many methods of formulation that provide the quantities to be expected for each component of the concrete to obtain specific rheological and mechanical properties of concrete depending on the nature of its constituents. In general, the concrete manufacturer selects, from the cements available on the market and generally produced near the concrete manufacturing site, the one or more cements most suited to the concrete he wants to produce. The concrete formulation used is then established according to the selected cement (s).

The cement manufacturer produces a cement whose chemical and physical characteristics are within specified ranges, for example by the EN 197-1 standard. It is not currently possible for a cement manufacturer to produce a cement whose chemical and physical characteristics are perfectly constant over time. Indeed, many parameters, such as the nature of the raw materials used, the manufacturing process implemented by the cement manufacturer, etc., can cause a variation in the chemical and physical characteristics of the cement over time while remaining within the ranges of values stipulated by the EN 197-1 standard.

A difficulty arises from the fact that the mechanical and rheological properties of concrete are relatively sensitive to these variations in the physical and chemical characteristics of the cement. When variations in the physical and chemical characteristics of the cement cause a variation in the rheological properties of the concrete, the concrete manufacturer may be aware of these variations as soon as the concrete is made, for example by modifying the workability of the concrete. He can then immediately modify the concrete formulation to adapt it to the variations of the physical and chemical characteristics of the cement. However, when variations in the physical and chemical characteristics of the cement cause a variation in the mechanical properties of the concrete, the concrete manufacturer can not be aware of these variations as soon as the concrete is manufactured. Indeed, to do this, it is necessary to perform analyzes of cement or concrete that require means and / or time that are not available to the concrete manufacturer. For example, for a mechanical property such as compressive strength at 28 days, tests lasting 28 days must be carried out. As a result, the concrete manufacturer may be aware of variations in concrete properties while concrete structures have already been realized. This may necessitate reinforcements or even the demolition of some structures, which is undesirable.

The concrete manufacturer does not generally have the means to perform an analysis of the physical and chemical characteristics of the cement delivered by the cement manufacturer, which would allow him to adapt the concrete formulation according to the actual physical and chemical characteristics of the concrete. cement it will use to make a mess.

It would be desirable to obtain a method of manufacturing a concrete or a cement whose implementation is particularly simple and to adapt in real time the formulation of concrete or cement for each batch of concrete or cement performed according to the actual physical and / or chemical characteristics of at least one of the constants to be used for that batch. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a mixture of at least first and second components, at least the first or second component being a hydraulic binder, the process comprising the following steps:

(i) assigning at least a portion of the first component a data storage device at which at least one identifier of the portion of the first constituent is stored; (ii) determining physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent;

(iii) storing the identifier and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent;

(iv) determining the read identifier of the data storage device;

(v) providing a formulation of the mixture that depends on the stored physical and / or chemical characteristics corresponding to the identifier; and

(vi) producing said mixture with said formulation, at least in part with said portion of the first component.

The invention has the advantage of allowing the formulation of a mixture, for example a concrete or a cement, to be adapted to the actual physical and / or chemical characteristics of a first constituent, in particular the hydraulic binder, from which the mixture is actually manufactured and may vary over time.

In addition, the invention advantageously makes it possible to use as a data storage device a radio frequency identification tag. This has the added advantage of allowing labels to be inserted directly into the first component. This advantageously makes it possible to easily produce an automated method of inserting the labels on the production line or the storage site of the first constituent and / or an insertion of an RFID tag, or of several labels.

RFID, only in the first component portions transported to one or more mixing production facilities implementing the method according to the present invention.

The invention also advantageously makes it possible to use a medium provided with a barcode as a data storage device. This advantageously allows the present invention to be implemented without modifying the existing hydraulic binder and / or mixing production installations by using a low-cost support, the reading of which can be performed by a barcode reader.

By the term "hydraulic binder" is meant according to the present invention any compound having the property of hydrating in the presence of water and whose hydration makes it possible to obtain a solid having mechanical characteristics. The hydraulic binder according to the invention may in particular be a cement as defined in the EN 197-1 standard. The hydraulic binder can be clinker.

By the term "cement" is meant a mixture of hydraulic binder, including clinker, and at least one mineral addition and optionally adjuvant. It is for example portlant cement type CEM I with mineral additions, CEM II, CEM III, CEM IV or CEM V according to the standard "Cement" NF EN 197-1.

By the term "concrete" is meant a mixture of hydraulic binders, aggregates, water, possibly additives, and possibly mineral additives such as high performance concrete, very high performance concrete, self-compacting concrete , self-leveling concrete, self-compacting concrete, fiber concrete, ready-mix concrete or colored concrete. The term "concrete" includes mortars. In this case, the concrete comprises a mixture of hydraulic binder, sand, water and possibly additives. The term "concrete" according to the invention denotes indistinctly fresh concrete or hardened concrete. According to the invention, the term "aggregates" refers to chippings and / or sand.

According to the invention, the term "mineral additions" denotes a finely divided mineral material used in concrete or cement in order to improve certain properties or to give it particular properties. For concrete, it is, for example, fly ash (as defined in EN 450), silica fumes (as defined in the standard prEN 13263: 1998 or NF P 18-502), dairy products (as defined in standard NF P 18-506), calcareous additions (as defined in standard NF P 18-508) and siliceous additions (as defined in standard NF P 18-509). For cement, it is, for example, slags (as defined in the standard "Cement" NF EN 197-1 paragraph 5.2.2), pozzolanic materials (as defined in the standard "Cement" NF EN 197-1 paragraph 5.2.3), fly ash (as defined in the "Cement" standard NF EN 197-1 paragraph 5.2.4), calcined schists (as defined in the "Cement" standard NF EN 197- 1 paragraph 5.2.5), limescale (as defined in the "Cement" NF EN 197-1 paragraph 5.2.6) or fumed silica (as defined in the standard "Cement" NF EN 197-1 paragraph 5.2.7) or their mixtures.

By the term "portion of the first constituent" is meant according to the invention a quantity, possibly variable, of the first constituent. It may be a certain single volume, possibly variable, of the first constituent or of several distinct volumes, possibly variable, of the first constituent. It can be a batch of the first constituent extracted from a storage silo.

By the term "formulation" is meant according to the invention the list of constituents involved in the manufacture of a mixture and the amount of each of these constituents. The expression "physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent" means, according to the present invention, characteristics that make it possible to define the physical and chemical structures of the first constituent.

By the term "data storage device" is meant according to the present invention any device for storing data. It can be a physical medium on which data are written by any symbolic representation process. It can also be an electronic circuit comprising a non-volatile memory on which data are stored, for example in the form of binary signals. By the term "identifier" is meant according to the invention, any type of data, for example a numerical or alphanumeric data, which makes it possible to differentiate the element to which the identifier is assigned from another element.

By the term "installation of manufacture of the first constituent" is meant according to the invention any facility for the manufacture of the first component, in the form of a finely ground mineral material, ready to be used for the manufacture of a mixture containing the first constituent.

By the term "mixing production plant" is meant according to the invention any facility for the manufacture of a mixture from a hydraulic binder and other constituents, such as, for example, aggregates, water, etc. In the case where the mixture corresponds to concrete, it may be a concrete manufacturing plant, a site installation, a prefabrication plant, etc. In the case where the mixture corresponds to an adhesive or a coating, it may be a facility for manufacturing the mixture in the form of a mixture of dry powders, generally called dry premix. In the case where the mixture corresponds to a cement, it may be a mixing station or a cement plant.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a mixture of at least first and second components, at least the first or second component being a hydraulic binder. The method comprises the following steps:

(i) allocating at least a portion of the first component a data storage device at which at least one identifier of the portion of the first constituent is stored; (ii) determining physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent;

(iv) determining the read identifier of the data storage device; (v) providing a formulation of the mixture that depends on the stored physical and / or chemical characteristics corresponding to the identifier; and

According to an exemplary embodiment, the data storage device is a radio frequency identification tag, or RFID tag, inserted in the portion of the first constituent. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first constituent is in the form of a powder during the insertion of the storage device. This offers the additional advantage of not modifying the usual transport operations of the portion of the first component from the manufacturing facility of the first component to the mixing plant, since the data carrier device is disposed of at the same time. inside the portion of the first constituent.

According to an exemplary embodiment, step (i) is carried out on the manufacturing site of the hydraulic binder. According to an exemplary embodiment, step (iv) is carried out at the manufacturing site of the mixture.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the mixture is a cement. According to an exemplary embodiment, the mixture is a concrete. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first constituent is the hydraulic binder. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises a step of storing the first component. In step (i), data storage devices are introduced into the first component before the storage step.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first component is manufactured at least in part continuously, the manufacturing step of the first component being followed by a step of storing the first component on the manufacturing site of the first component.

This offers the additional advantage of allowing automatic insertion of the RFID tags on the production line or on the storage site of the first constituent. In addition, during the storage of the first component, the ground material constituting the first component can partially mix. The distribution of the RFID tags in the first constituent makes it possible to follow the evolution of this mixture.

According to an exemplary embodiment, step (ii) comprises the following steps: taking samples of the first constituent before the storage step; determining, by analysis of each sample, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of the sample; and storing in a database, for each identifier, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of one of the samples or a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of several samples. This offers the additional advantage of allowing automatic sample collection on the production line or the storage site of the first component and taking into account the relative positions between the sampling positions and the insertion positions of the labels. RFID. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises a step of storing the first component. The storage step is followed by a step of forming the portion of the first component from the first stored component. The step of forming the portion of the first constituent is followed by the step of inserting at least one data storage device into the portion of the first constituent. This has the additional advantage of allowing insertion of a RFID tag, or multiple RFID tags, only in the first component portions transported to one or more mixing manufacturing facilities implementing the method according to the present invention.

According to an exemplary embodiment, step (ii) comprises the following steps: taking a sample of the portion of the first constituent; determining, by sample analysis, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent; and storing, in a database, the identifier and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of the sample. This offers the additional advantage of allowing samples to be taken only for the portions of first component transported to one or more manufacturing facilities of the mixture implementing the method according to the present invention.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the data storage device is a support provided with a barcode.

The data storage device then advantageously has a particularly simple structure. In addition, the manufacture of the support provided with a barcode and the reading thereof can be implemented at low cost.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises a step of storing the first component. The storage step is followed by a step of forming the portion of the first component from the first stored component. The step of forming the portion of the first constituent is followed by the step of assigning a data storage device to the portion of the first constituent.

This offers the additional advantage of allowing an allocation of supports provided with bar codes to portions of first component transported to one or more manufacturing facilities of the mixture implementing the method according to the present invention. The invention also proposes a system for manufacturing a mixture of at least first and second components, at least the first or the second constituent being a hydraulic binder. The system includes: a system for assigning to at least a portion of the first manufactured component of a data storage device at which at least one identifier of the portion of the first constituent is stored; a system for determining physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent; a device for memorizing the identifier and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent; a read device of the data storage device; a system for providing a formulation of the mixture that depends on the physical and / or chemical characteristics associated with the identifier read by the reading device; and an installation for manufacturing the mixture with said formulation, at least in part with said portion of the first component.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the reading device is a radio frequency identification tag reader.

This offers the additional advantage of allowing easy reading of the identifier stored on the radio frequency identification tag.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the reading device is a barcode reader.

This offers the additional advantage of allowing the use of a low cost reading device. Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become clear from reading the description and examples given purely by way of non-limiting example, which will follow in relation to the following figures, of which: FIG. 1 very schematically represents an embodiment of a cement and concrete manufacturing system according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a block diagram illustrating the steps of a concrete manufacturing process by the system of Figure 1; FIG. 3 very schematically shows another embodiment of a cement and concrete manufacturing system according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a block diagram illustrating the steps of a concrete manufacturing process by the system of Figure 3; FIG. 5 very schematically represents another embodiment of a cement and concrete manufacturing system according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a block diagram illustrating the steps of a concrete manufacturing process by the system of Figure 5; FIG. 7 very schematically represents an exemplary embodiment of a cement manufacturing system according to the invention; Figure 8 shows a block diagram illustrating the steps of a cement manufacturing process by the system of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows, very schematically, another embodiment of a cement manufacturing system according to the invention; and FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the steps of a cement manufacturing process by the system of FIG. 9.

In the remainder of the description, like references will refer to the same elements in the different figures. In addition, in the following description, embodiments will be described in connection with Figures 1 to 6 for the manufacture of a concrete whose hydraulic binder is cement. However, it is clear that the present invention applies to any type of hydraulic binder and any type of mixture of several components including a hydraulic binder.

Figure 1 shows, in a partial and schematic manner, an embodiment of a system 5 for manufacturing cement and concrete. In FIG. 1, a arrowed line connecting two elements of the system 5 illustrates a physical or functional link between these two elements.

The system 5 includes a cement manufacturing facility 10. The installation 10 is called cement plant in the following description. The conventional elements of the cement plant not participating in the present invention are not shown in detail. The cement plant 10 comprises a cement production plant 12 which may include means for extracting raw materials, crushing means for extracted raw materials, means for screening the crushed raw materials, means for prehomogenizing the raw materials, means for preparing the raw material, cooking means for obtaining clinker, drying means and a grinding workshop, comprising, for example, a ball mill or a grinding mill in which the clinker is finely ground. Additional elements may be added to the clinker during or after the grinding operation. In particular, a mixing workshop can be provided at the output of the grinding workshop. The cement production plant 12 supplies cement in the form of a finely ground mineral material which is transported to a storage means 14 corresponding, for example, to a cement silo. By way of example, the installation 10 may correspond to a grinding center. In this case, the cement production plant 12 then consists essentially of the grinding workshop. In this case, the clinker used by the grinding workshop comes from another installation. The system 5 further includes a concrete manufacturing facility. This is, for example, a concrete batching plant, a prefabrication plant or a concrete site manufacturing facility. By way of example, the installation 20 may comprise a cement storage means 22, for example a cement silo, a concrete weighing device 24 and a kneading system 26. The kneading system 26 is used for mixing and kneading concrete constituents, especially cement, water, aggregates and possibly additives, mineral additions, etc. This is, for example, a mixer or a mixer truck mixer. The weighing device 24 makes it possible to determine by weighing the quantity of cement that will be introduced into the kneading system 26 for producing a mix of concrete. The concrete plant 20 may be automated in part or in whole. The weighing device 24 and the kneading system 26 are then controlled by production automatons.

In the present embodiment, the cement must be conveyed from the storage silo 14 of the cement plant 10 to the storage silo 22 of the concrete manufacturing plant 20. In the remainder of the description, the batch of cement 30, a quantity of the cement produced by the cement plant 10 which is transported from the silo 14 to the silo 22. Different cement batches can correspond to different amounts of cement. The transport of the cement batch 30 is carried out by a transport means 32 which corresponds, for example, to tanks or tanks transported by truck, by train, etc. For example, a batch of cement 30 may correspond to ten tons of cement.

In the present embodiment, there is shown a single concrete plant associated with the cement plant 10. However, it is clear that the same cement plant can deliver batches of cement to several concrete manufacturing facilities, a manufacturing facility. concrete, for example, to a concrete batching plant, another concrete plant corresponding, for example, to an on-site concrete manufacturing facility, etc.

The system 5 comprises a module 34 for inserting radiofrequency identification tags or RFID tags 35 (acronym for radio frequency identification) into the cement before it is stored in the silo 14. An RFID tag (in English RFID tag or RFID transponder) consists of an antenna connected to an integrated circuit and can receive and answer queries sent remotely from a transmitter / receiver. A description of the structure and operation of RFID tags can be found in V. RFID: A guide to Radio Frequency Identification by V. Daniel Hunt (publisher John Wiley). These are, for example, RFID tags sold by Symbol Technology, R & V Group or Avery Dennison. Advantageously, the present exemplary embodiment implements so-called passive RFID tags insofar as each tag does not include a source of energy of its own and uses the energy provided by the signals transmitted by the transmitter / receiver. This advantageously makes it possible to use RFID tags at low cost. The integrated circuit of each RFID tag 35 comprises a non-volatile memory in which is stored an identifier of the RFID tag 35. Advantageously, the identifier is unique and makes it possible to differentiate one RFID tag 35 from another. The identifier corresponds, for example, to an alphanumeric code. The RFID tag 35 may, in addition, allow the storage of data corresponding to the type of the cement and an identifier of the cement plant 10. The dimensions of the RFID tags correspond to a compromise to meet in particular two opposite constraints. The first constraint is that RFID tags must be small enough to reduce the risk of segregating RFID tags during cement storage and transportation. The second constraint is that the RFID tags must be large enough to have the largest antenna possible to increase the minimum detection distance of the RFID tag. Advantageously, each RFID tag is a few millimeters to a few centimeters on the side. Advantageously, these are RFID tags using the high frequencies, for example frequencies of several megahertz, for example ten megahertz, for example 13.6 MHz. This provides a detection of the RFID tag several tens of centimeters when the label is in the cement.

By way of example, the module 34 is adapted to insert an RFID tag 35 for 100 kg of cement. Advantageously, the insertion of the RFID tags is carried out automatically during the transport of the cement from the cement production workshop 12 to the silo 14. The system 5 further comprises a sample collection module 40 which is adapted to take, for example at regular intervals, a sample of the cement transported from the cement production plant 12 to the silo 14. For example, a sample is taken every 10 to 20 tons of cement. By way of example, a sample may correspond to 500 grams of cement. The RFID tag insertion module 34 is connected to the sample collection module 40 and is adapted to supply the module 40 with the identifiers of the labels inserted into the cement as they are inserted.

The system 5 further comprises an analysis center 42 allowing the realization of a physical and / or chemical analysis of the cement contained in each sample supplied by the module 40. The module 40 is, furthermore, adapted to provide the analysis center 42 the identifiers of the RFID tags inserted in the cement, the instants of insertion of the RFID tags 35 in the cement and the times of sampling. The analysis center 42 may be located at the cement plant 10 or outside thereof. By way of example, for each sample, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement determined by the analysis center 42 may correspond to one or more of the following characteristics: "fineness of grind, or Blaine finesse, expressed in m ² / kg (or in cm ² / g).

It represents the specific surface or developed surface of a mass of 1 kg (or 1g) of cement. It can be determined by the test methods described in standard NF EN 196-6 entitled "Methods for testing cement - Determination of fineness"; The diameter D10 (by volume) corresponds to the ^10th percentile of the particle size distribution, ie 10% of the particles are smaller than D10 and 90% are larger than D10. It can be determined by laser granulometry;

• concentration in different elements, for example calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), sulfur (S) ), phosphorus (P), expressed as the concentration of the oxide of this element. The concentrations of the various elements can be obtained by analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry of the sample according to the methods described in the standard P15-467 entitled "Hydraulic binders - Practical instrumental method of analysis of cements by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry" or draft standard PR NF EN ISO 29581-2 entitled "Methods of testing cements - Chemical analysis of cements - Part 2: X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis"; • the concentration of free lime (CaO). It can be determined according to the methods described in standard NF EN 459-2 "Building lime - Part 2: test methods"; and

• Concentration of alkali sulphate, especially potassium hydroxide (K ₂ O) and sodium oxide (Na ₂ O). The analysis can be done by atomic emission spectrometry.

The analysis center 42 may furthermore use the result of analyzes carried out during the manufacture of the clinker, that is to say before the grinding operation.

The system 5 comprises a memory 43 at which a database is stored which maps to each identifier of an RFID tag 35 physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained from the analysis of one or more samples . According to one example, each RFID tag identifier 35 is made to match the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained from the analysis of the sample taken at the instant closest to the insertion instant of In another example, each RFID tag identifier 35 is matched with a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained from the analysis of samples taken before and after the insertion of the RFID tag. the RFID tag. For example, if it is considered that an RFID tag 35 has been inserted at time t 1, samples have been taken before and after the insertion of the RFID tag 35 respectively at times t ₂ and t ₃ , that A ₂ corresponds to the value of a chemical or physical characteristic of the sample taken at time t ₂ , that A ₃ corresponds to the value of this same characteristic for the sample taken at time t ₃ , then the value A ₁ of this same characteristic associated with the identifier of the RFID tag 35 inserted at time U can be given by the following relation:

A ₁ = ((t ₃ -t ₁ ) ^* A ₂ + (t ₁ -t ₂ ) ^* A ₃ ) / (ta-ia) (1)

The memory 43 corresponds, for example, to a memory of a computer 44, for example a server. The server 44 comprises at least one processor adapted to implement a concrete formulation program. A concrete formulation program is a program the implementation of which, based on determined values of physical and / or chemical characteristics of a cement, characteristics of aggregates, characteristics of adjuvants, etc., of obtain the concrete formulation to be used to obtain the desired rheological and / or mechanical properties of the concrete. Such a program may be based on empirical, statistical, physical, and other laws. The concrete formulation program can implement several parameters for the formulation determination, these parameters can be modified over time, for example to take into account control tests carried out on the concrete manufactured by the manufacturing facility. The concrete manufacturing plant 20 comprises an RFID reader 50 which corresponds to a transmitter / receiver adapted to detect the presence of an RFID tag 35 and to exchange data with the RFID tag 35 to obtain the RFID tag 35. identifier stored in the memory of the RFID tag 35. The reader 50 is connected to a computer 52 provided with a graphical interface 54, comprising, for example, a display screen. The computer 52 is adapted to exchange data with the server 44 via a data exchange link 56, for example the Internet network. The exchange of data between the computer 52 and the server 44 may implement a secure data exchange protocol, for example a protocol of the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) type. The computer 52 is connected to the production machines that control the weighing device 24 and the mixing system 26.

According to a variant of the present embodiment, the concrete formulation program is provided at the level of the computer 52 rather than at the level of the server 44. FIG. 2 illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, a method of manufacturing concrete according to an example embodiment of the present invention adapted to the system 5 of FIG.

In step 60, the cement is produced, for example continuously, at the cement plant 10. The process continues in step 62.

In step 62, during the manufacture of the cement, for example during the transport of cement from the cement production plant 12 to the silo 14, RFID tags 35 are inserted by the module 34 into the cement, for example at regular intervals. For example, an RFID tag is inserted every 100 kilos of cement. The module 34 transmits the identifiers of the RFID tags 35 successively inserted into the cement to the module 40 as well as the instants of insertion of the RFID tags 35. The method continues in step 64.

In step 64, a batch of cement 30 is extracted from the contents of the silo 14, which corresponds, for example, to the filling of a tank or a tank 32 that can be transported by truck, by train, etc. The process continues in step 66.

In step 66, the batch of cement 30 is transported from the cement plant 10 to the cement manufacturing plant 20. The batch of cement 30 can then be stored in the plant 20, for example in the silo 22 .

Simultaneously with steps 62, 64 and 66 are performed steps 70, 72 and 74. In step 70, during the manufacture of the cement, for example during the transport of cement from the cement production plant 12 to in silo 14, cement samples are taken by the module 40. This operation can be performed entirely automatically. The module 40 transmits the samples to the analysis center 42 as well as the list of successive identifiers of the RFID tags inserted in the cement and the instants of insertion of labels and sampling. The process continues in step 72.

In step 72, each sample is analyzed by the analysis center 42 to determine the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement contained in the sample according to the analysis methods described above. The process continues at step 74.

In step 74, the identifier of each RFID tag 35 is stored at the server 44. At this identifier, the values of physical and / or chemical characteristics of a cement obtained from a database are matched in a database. the analysis of one or more samples. According to one example, each identifier of an RFID tag 35 is made to match the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained from the analysis of the sample taken at the moment closest to the insertion time. of the RFID tag 35. According to another example, each identifier is matched with cement characteristics that correspond to a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained from the analysis of samples taken before and / or after the insertion of the RFID tag 35. The method continues in step 76.

In step 76, when a portion of the batch of cement 30, which was delivered and stored in the silo 22, is used to produce a concrete, the reader 50 is searched for at least one RFID tag 35 present in the cement. When an RFID tag 35 is detected, its identifier is read by the reader 50 and then transmitted to the computer 52. When several RFID tags are detected by the reader 50, the identifiers of all the RFID tags detected are transmitted to the computer. 52. In the case where no RFID tag is detected by the reader 50, for example after a determined period of time, the reader 50 transmits a message of absence of detection to the computer 52. The process continues to step 78.

In step 78, the computer 52 transmits a request to the server 44, by the link 56, for example by implementing a secure data exchange protocol. The request includes in particular the identifier of the detected RFID tag or the identifiers of the RFID tags detected. The process continues at step 80.

In step 80, upon receipt of the identifier, the server 44 determines, by means of the concrete formulation program, the actual formulation (quantity of cement, quantity of water, quantity of each class of granulate, quantity and nature admixtures, etc.) to be provided for the manufacture of the concrete from the physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement associated with the identifier and stored in the memory 43 of the server 44. More detailed examples of determination of concrete formulations are described later. The actual formulation is transmitted by the server 44 to the computer 52 and is transmitted by the computer 52 to the production automatons of the concrete manufacturing plant 20. The data exchanges between the computer 52 and the server 44 and the operation of the server 44 may be performed, in whole or in part, automatically.

In the variant of the present embodiment according to which the concrete formulation program is provided at the level of the computer 52, in the step 80, the server 44 supplies the computer 52 with the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement associated with the identifier and stored in the memory 43. The computer 52 then determines by means of the concrete formulation program, the actual formulation to be provided for the manufacture of concrete from the cement having the physical and / or chemical characteristics received . When several identifiers are provided to the server 44, the server 44 can determine the actual formulation to be provided for the manufacture of the concrete from a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement associated with each identifier. In the case of failure to detect an RFID tag, the The formulation used to make the concrete batch may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement as those of the last cement used to make a mix of the same type of concrete and for which an RFID tag had been detected. Similarly, in the case where the link 56 between the computer 52 and the server 44 does not work, the formulation used to carry out the concrete batch may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement as those of the last cement used to make a batch of the same type of concrete and for which an RFID tag had been detected and a connection between the computer 52 and the server 44 could be established. Alternatively, in the case where the link 56 between the computer 52 and the server 44 does not work and when the cement type and the identifier of the cement plant are also stored on the detected RFID tag, the formulation used to achieve the mix of concrete may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical properties of cement as those of the last cement used of the same type and produced by the same production plant to make a mix of the same type of concrete and to which an RFID tag had been detected and a link between the computer 52 and the server 44 could be established.

When making a batch of concrete, cement is transported from the silo 22 to the weighing device 24 until reaching the desired amount of cement. The reading of the RFID tags can be performed at the silo 22, during the transfer of the cement from the silo 22 to the weighing device 24 or at the weighing device 24. As a result, the amount of cement required for the mix can be determined just before the start of weighing or at the very beginning of weighing. The transfer of cement from silo 22 to weighing device 24 is then interrupted when the desired quantity of cement is obtained. Alternatively, when several batches of the same type of concrete are carried out successively, the first batch can be made with a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical properties of cement as those of the last cement used to make a mess. of the same type of concrete and for which an RFID tag had been detected. During the weighing of the cement to carry out the first batch, an RFID chip is detected and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement are determined by interrogation of the server 44. For the realization of the second batch, the formulation used takes into account the characteristics physical and / or chemical cement obtained from the detection of the identifier of an RFID chip inserted in the cement used to make the first batch, this formulation can be adapted to take into account the formulation used for the first batch. Similarly, for the realization of each subsequent batch, the formulation used takes into account the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement obtained from the detection. the identifier of an RFID chip inserted into the cement used to make the previous batch. The process continues in step 82.

In step 82, the concrete is made, for example by means of the kneading system 26, using the actual formulation of the concrete. Figure 3 shows, in a partial and schematic manner, another embodiment of a system 90 for manufacturing cement and concrete. The elements common to the system 5 are designated by the same references.

According to the present embodiment, one or more RFID tags 92 are inserted into each batch of cement 30, once it is constituted. An identifier is stored at each RFID tag 92. The identifier can be unique and can differentiate one RFID tag from another. Alternatively, the identifiers of all RFID tags 92 inserted in the same batch of cement 30 may be identical. In addition, additional data may be stored at each RFID tag 92, for example, a cement type identifier and an identifier of the cement plant that produced the cement.

The system 90 further comprises a module 94 adapted to take a cement sample from each batch of cement 30. The module 94 corresponds, for example, to a specimen manipulated by an operator and used to collect a sample of the cement batch Once it is placed in the tank or in the transport tank 32.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, a method of manufacturing concrete according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention adapted to the system 90 of FIG.

In step 100, the cement is produced, for example continuously, at the cement plant 10, the cement produced being stored progressively in the silo 14. The process continues in step 102.

In step 102, a batch of cement 30 is extracted from the silo 14, which corresponds, for example, to the filling of a tank or a tank 32 that can be transported by truck, by train, etc. The process continues in step 104. In step 104, at least one RFID tag 92 is inserted into the cement batch 30 obtained in step 102. Advantageously, several RFID tags 92 are inserted into the batch This improves the probability of detection of at least one label. The process continues in step 106.

In step 106, a cement sample is taken from the batch of cement 30 by the cement sampling module 94. This operation can be carried out in whole or in part by an operator who fills the contents of one or more test pieces with cement taken from the tank or the transport tank 32. The same identifier as that of the RFID tag 92 is attributed to the sample taken. In case several RFID tags 92 are inserted in the batch of cement 30, the identifiers of these tags 92 are assigned to the sample taken. The process continues at step 108.

In step 108, the cement batch 30 is transported from the cement plant 10 to the concrete manufacturing plant 20. The batch of cement 30 can then be stored in the plant 20, for example in the silo 22 .

After step 106, and independently of step 108, the method comprises steps 110 and 112. In step 110, the sample is analyzed by the analysis center 42 to determine the physical and / or chemical characteristics. cement contained in the sample according to the methods of analysis described above. The process continues at step 112.

In step 112, the identifier of the cement batch 30 is stored at the server 44. At this identifier, the values of the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained in step 110 are matched in a database. , cement of the sample to which the same identifier is assigned. Steps 110 and 112 can be performed simultaneously with the transport of batch of cement 30 to step 108. The process continues in step 114.

At step 114, when the batch of cement 30 that has been delivered is used to make a concrete, the reader 50 is searched for at least one RFID tag present in the cement. When an RFID tag is detected, its identifier is read by the reader 50 and is transmitted to the computer 52. When several RFID tags are detected by the reader 50, the identifiers of these RFID tags are transmitted to the computer 52. In the case where no RFID tag is detected by the reader 50, for example after a determined period of time, the reader 50 transmits a message of absence of detection to the computer 52. The process continues with the step 116.

In step 116, the computer 52 transmits a request to the server 44, for example by the link 56, by implementing a secure data exchange protocol. The request includes in particular the identifier of the detected RFID tag or the identifiers of the RFID tags detected. The method continues in step 118. In step 118, upon receipt of the identifier, the server 44 determines, by means of the concrete formulation program, the actual formulation (quantity of cement, quantity of water, quantity of each class of granulate, quantity and nature of the admixtures, etc.) to be provided for the manufacture of the concrete from the physical and / or chemical cement characteristics associated with the identifier and stored in the memory 43 of the server 44. actual formulation is transmitted by the server 44 to the computer 52 and is transmitted by the computer 52 to the production automatons of the concrete manufacturing facility 20. In an alternative embodiment of the present embodiment in which the concrete formulation program is provided at the computer 52, in the step 118, the server 44 provides the computer 52 with the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement associated with the identifier and stored in the memory 43. The computer 52 then determines by means of the concrete formulation program, the actual formulation to be provided for the manufacture of concrete from the cement having the physical and / or chemical characteristics received .

When several identifiers are provided to the server 44, the server 44 can determine the actual formulation to be provided for the manufacture of the concrete from a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement stored in the memory 43 and associated with each identifier. In the case of non-detection of an RFID tag, the formulation used to carry out the concrete batch may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement as those of the last cement used to make a batch of the same type of concrete and for which an RFID tag had been detected and a connection between the computer 52 and the server 44 could be established. Similarly, in the case where the link 56 between the computer 52 and the server 44 does not work, the formulation used to carry out the concrete batch may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement as those of the last cement used to make a mix of the same type of concrete and for which an RFID tag had been detected. Alternatively, in the case where the link 56 between the computer 52 and the server 44 does not work and when the cement type and the identifier of the cement plant are also stored on the detected RFID tag, the formulation used to achieve the mix of concrete may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical properties of cement as those of the last cement used of the same type and produced by the same production plant to make a mix of the same type of concrete and to which an RFID tag had been detected and a link between the computer 52 and the server 44 could be established. The process is continued in step 120. In step 120, the concrete is made, for example by means of the mixing system 26, using the actual formulation of the concrete.

In the embodiments described above, the RFID tags are read before actual manufacture of the concrete from the cement. It is therefore not necessary that the labels are resistant to the concrete manufacturing process (kneading with aggregates) or the physical and chemical stresses present in the concrete (basic and wet medium). This makes it possible to reduce the resistance constraints that RFID tags must satisfy and to use low-cost RFID tags. As a variant, the RFID tags used can be adapted so that their operation continues once the concrete is manufactured. In this case, the labels can be read once the concrete structure is made. From the identifier read, it is then possible to find the actual formulation of concrete that was used to make the work. Figure 5 shows a partial schematic, another embodiment of a system 130 for manufacturing cement and concrete. The elements common to the systems 5 and 90 are designated by the same references.

According to the present embodiment, there is associated with each batch of cement 30 a label 132 corresponding to a support, for example paper or plastic, provided with a barcode or barcode. The barcode is a representation of numeric or alphanumeric data in the form of a symbol consisting of bars and spaces whose number and dimensions depend on the symbology used. This is, for example, an EAN (European Data Numbering) bar code according to the specifications issued by the GS1 organization. The barcode makes it possible to store various data including at least one identifier of the batch 30. Advantageously, the identifier is unique and makes it possible to differentiate one batch of cement from another. The identifier corresponds, for example, to an alphanumeric code. The barcode may, in addition, allow the storage of data corresponding to a cement type identifier and an identifier of the cement plant. The concrete manufacturing facility 20 includes a bar code reader 134 adapted to read the bar code of the label 132 associated with a batch of cement. The reader 134 is connected to the computer 52.

FIG. 6 illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, a method of manufacturing concrete according to an example embodiment of the present invention adapted to the system 130 of FIG.

In step 140, the cement is produced, for example continuously, at the cement plant 10, the cement produced being stored progressively in the silo 14. The process continues in step 142.

In step 142, a batch of cement 30 is extracted from the contents of the silo 14, which corresponds, for example, to the filling of a tank or a tank 32 that can be transported by truck, by train, etc. The process continues in step 144.

In step 144, a label 132 provided with a barcode is assigned to the cement batch 30 obtained in step 142. The label 132 is, for example, affixed to the delivery note to be presented by the customer. conveyor of the cement batch 30 upon delivery of the batch of cement 30 to the concrete manufacturing plant 20. The process continues in step 146.

In step 146, a cement sample is taken from the cement batch 30 by the sample collection module 94. This operation can be carried out entirely or in part by an operator who fills the contents of one or more test pieces with cement taken from the tank or the transport tank 32. A duplicate of the label 132 provided with the same barcode is assigned to the sample taken . The process is continued at step 148. In step 148, the batch of cement 30 is transported from the cement plant 10 to the concrete manufacturing plant 20. The batch of cement 30 can then be stored in the cement plant. plant 20, for example in silo 22.

After step 146, and independently of step 148, the method comprises steps 150 and 152. In step 150, the sample is analyzed by the analysis center 42 to determine the physical and / or chemical characteristics. cement contained in the sample according to the methods of analysis described above. The process continues in step 152.

In step 152, the identifier of the cement batch 30 is stored at the server 44. At this identifier, the values of the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained in step 150 are matched in a database. , cement of the sample to which the same identifier is assigned. Steps 150 and 152 can be performed simultaneously with the transport of batch of cement 30 to step 148. The process continues in step 154.

In step 154, when the batch of cement 30 is delivered, the barcode on the label 30 assigned to the batch 30 is read through the reader 134. The process proceeds to step 156.

In step 156, the computer 52 transmits a request to the server 44, by the link 56, by implementing a secure data exchange protocol. The request includes in particular the identifier of the batch 30. The method continues in step 158. In step 158, upon receipt of the identifier, the server 44 determines, by means of the concrete formulation program, the formulation real (quantity of cement, quantity of water, quantity of each class of granulate, quantity and nature of admixtures) to be provided for the manufacture of concrete.

The cement used to make the concrete comes from the silo 22 which is filled as and when by the batch of cement 30 delivered to the concrete manufacturing plant 20. As a result, at a given moment, cement from several Different batches may be in silo 22. In this case, when cement is extracted from silo 22 to make a batch of concrete, an estimate of the contribution of each batch of cement can be made and the physical and / or chemical characteristics Cement used to determine the actual formulation of the concrete may be an average of the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement of each batch of cement contributing to the prorata of the contribution of each batch of cement. The actual formulation is transmitted by the server 44 to the computer 52 and is transmitted by the computer 52 to the production automatons of the concrete manufacturing facility 20.

According to a variant of the present embodiment in which the concrete formulation program is provided at the level of the computer 52, in the step 158, the server 44 supplies the computer 52 with the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement associated with the identifier and stored in the memory 43. The computer 52 then determines by means of the concrete formulation program, the actual formulation to be provided for the manufacture of concrete. In the case where the link 56 between the computer 52 and the server 44 does not work, the formulation used to carry out the mix of concrete may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement as those of the last cement used to make a mix of the same type of concrete and for which an identifier had been read and a connection between the computer 52 and the server 44 could be established. Alternatively, in the case where the link 56 between the computer 52 and the server 44 does not work and when the cement type and the identifier of the cement plant are also stored on the bar code read, the formulation used to achieve the tempering of concrete may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of cement as those of the last cement used of the same type and provided by the same production plant to make a mix of the same type of concrete and to which a barcode had been read and a connection between the computer 52 and the server 44 could be established. The process continues at step 120. The process continues at step 160.

In step 160, the concrete is made, for example by means of the kneading system 26, using the actual formulation of the concrete.

In the embodiment previously described in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6, the label 132 associated with each batch of cement 30 corresponds to a support provided with a barcode. It is however clear that the present invention can be implemented with any alphanumeric data representation. This is, for example, a two-dimensional code using squares or dots, a sequence of numbers and / or letters, and so on. In addition, depending on the type of coding used, the use of a reader 134 may not be necessary. Indeed, the reading of the tag 132 can be performed visually by an operator who transmits the read code to the computer 52 via the interface 54. FIG. 7 represents, in a partial and schematic manner, an example implementation of a cement manufacturing facility 200, called mixing station in the following description. In FIG. 7, a arrow line connecting two elements of the system 200 illustrates a physical or functional link between these two elements. The mixing station 200 comprises storage means 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, for example silos (four silos being represented by way of example in FIG. 7) in which the raw materials, in the form of powder, are stored at from which the cement is made. Each silo 202A, 202B, 202C and 202D is assigned one of the raw materials from which the cement can be made. For example, clinker is stored in the silo 202A and different mineral additions are stored in the silos 202B, 202C and 202D, for example, fly ash in the silo 202B, a filling material (in English filler) to limestone base in silo 202C, pozzolans in silo 202D. Silos 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D are filled with successive batches 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D of the corresponding raw materials. Each batch 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D is transported from a production facility, not shown, of the corresponding raw material.

For each silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, the mixing station 200 comprises a weighing device 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D of the raw material contained in the silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D corresponding. The mixing station 200 further comprises a mixing system or mixer 205. The mixing system 205 serves to mix the constituents of the cement. It can be a dedicated mixer. As a variant, the mixing system 205 may correspond to the conveying system of the constituents of the cement, the mixing operation being ensured by the pooling of the constituents during their transport. Each weighing device 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D makes it possible to determine by weighing the quantity of the corresponding raw material which will be introduced into the mixer 205 for the production of a batch of cement 208. The mixing station 200 can be automated by part or all. The weighing devices 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D and the mixer 205 are then controlled by production automats. For example, a batch of cement 208 may correspond to ten tons of cement. A batch of cement 208 is made from clinker with one or more mineral additions. The constitutions of two batches of cement made successively may be different.

For each silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, the mixing station 200 comprises a radiofrequency identification tag insertion module 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D or RFID tags 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D in the raw material before it is stored in the corresponding silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D. Advantageously, the present exemplary embodiment implements so-called passive RFID tags insofar as each tag does not include a source of energy of its own and uses the energy supplied by the signals transmitted by the emitter. receiver. This advantageously makes it possible to use RFID tags at low cost. The integrated circuit of each RFID tag comprises a non-volatile memory in which is stored an identifier of the RFID tag. Advantageously, the identifier is unique and makes it possible to differentiate one RFID tag from another. The identifier corresponds, for example, to an alphanumeric code. Advantageously, each RFID tag corresponds to a circuit of less than a few millimeters of side. This advantageously makes it possible to reduce the risks of segregation of RFID tags during storage of the raw material.

By way of example, each module 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D is adapted to insert an RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D per 100 kg of raw material. Advantageously, the insertion of the RFID tags is performed automatically during the filling of each silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D. As variants, the RFID tags 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D can be inserted in the raw material batches 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D at the time of their production in the corresponding manufacturing facilities.

For each silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, the mixing station 200 comprises a sample collection module 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D which is adapted to take, for example at regular intervals, a sample of the raw material from the sample. lot

204A, 204B, 204C, 204D when filling silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D. For example, a sample is taken every 10 to 20 tons of raw material. For example, a sample may correspond to 500 grams of raw material.

For each silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, the RFID tag insertion module 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D is connected to the associated sample collection module 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D and is adapted to provide the 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D the identifiers of the labels inserted in the raw material as and when they are inserted.

The mixing station 200 further comprises an analysis center 216 for conducting a physical and / or chemical analysis of the raw material contained in each sample provided by each sample collection module 214A, 214B, 214C , 214D. Each sample collection module 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D is, furthermore, adapted to supply the analysis center 216 with the identifiers of the RFID tags inserted in the associated raw material, the instants of insertion of the RFID tags into the raw material and times of sampling. Alternatively, the analysis center 216 may not be located at the same location as the other elements of the mixing station 200. In addition, the same analysis center 216 may be used in common by several mixing stations. 200 or by one or more mixing stations 200 and other facilities.

By way of example, for each sample, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the raw material of the sample determined by the analysis center 216 may correspond to one or more of the characteristics listed. previously for the cement and concrete manufacturing system 5 described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.

The mixing station 200 comprises a computer 220 comprising a memory 218 at which is stored a database that matches each identifier of an RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D with the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained from from the analysis of one or more samples. According to one example, for each RFID tag identifier 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D, the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained are compared from the analysis of the sample taken at the moment closest to the insertion time of the RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D. In another example, each RFID tag identifier 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D is matched a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained from the analysis of samples taken before and after the insertion of the RFID tag. For example, considering that an RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D has been inserted at time t1, samples have been taken before and after insertion of the RFID tag 212A, 212B , 212C, 212D respectively at times t ₂ and t ₃ , that A ₂ corresponds to the value of a chemical or physical characteristic of the sample taken at time t ₂ , that A ₃ corresponds to the value of this same characteristic for the sample taken at time t ₃ , then the value A ₁ of this same characteristic associated with the identifier of the RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D inserted at time ti can be given by the relation next :

A ₁ = ((WA ₂ + (t _r t ₂ ) ^* A ₃ ) / (M ₂ ) (1)

The computer 220 comprises at least one processor adapted to implement a cement formulation program. The term "cement formulation program" is intended to mean a program whose implementation makes it possible, from determined values of physical and / or chemical characteristics of the clinker, mineral additions, additives, etc., to obtain the formulation of the cement. to be used to obtain desired physical and / or chemical properties of the cement. Such a program may be based on empirical, statistical, physical, and other laws. The computer is provided with a graphical interface 224, including, for example, a display screen

For each silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, the mixing station 200 comprises an RFID reader 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D which corresponds to a transmitter / receiver adapted to detect the presence of an RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D and exchanging data with the RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D to obtain the identifier stored in the memory of the RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D. Each reader 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D is connected to the computer 220. The computer 220 is connected to the production machines that control the weighing devices 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D and the mixer 205. FIG. 8 illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, a method of manufacturing concrete according to an example embodiment of the present invention adapted to the mixing station 200 of FIG. 7.

In step 230, a batch of raw material 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D arrives at the corresponding silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D.

In step 232, during the filling of the silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, RFID tags 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D are inserted by the insertion module 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D in the raw material, for example at regular intervals. For example, an RFID tag is inserted every 100 kilos of raw material. The insertion module 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D transmits the identifiers of the RFID tags 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D successively inserted in the raw material to the sampling module 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D as well as the instants of the samples. The method is continued in step 234. Simultaneously with step 232 are performed steps 236, 238 and 240.

In step 236 during the filling of the silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, raw material samples are taken by the sample collection module 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D. This operation can be performed entirely automatically. The module 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D transmits the samples to the analysis center 216 as well as the list of successive identifiers of the RFID tags inserted into the cement and the times of insertion of labels and sampling. The process continues at step 238.

In step 238, each sample is analyzed by the analysis center 216 to determine the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement contained in the sample according to the analysis methods described above. The process continues at step 240.

In step 240, the identifier of each RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D is stored at the memory 218 of the computer 220. To this identifier, the values of characteristics are mapped into a database. physical and / or chemical properties of a cement obtained from the analysis of one or more samples. According to one example, at each identifier of an RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D, the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained are compared from the analysis of the sample taken at the moment closest to the insertion time of the RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D. In another example, each identifier is matched with cement characteristics that correspond to a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics obtained from the analysis of samples taken before and / or after the insertion of the label. RFID 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D. The process continues at step 234. In step 234, when it is desired to produce a batch of cement containing several of the plastomer materials stored in the silos 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, one searches for each silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D used, by means of the reader 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D associated with at least one RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D present in the raw material. When an RFID tag 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D is detected, its identifier is read by the reader 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D and then transmitted to the computer 220. When several RFID tags are detected by the reader 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D, the identifiers of all the RFID tags detected are transmitted to the computer 220. In the case where no RFID tag is detected by the reader 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D, for example after a period of time determined, the reader 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D transmits an absence of detection message to the computer 220. The method continues in step 242.

In step 242, the computer 220 determines, by means of the cement formulation program, the actual formulation (quantity of clinker, quantity of each mineral addition, quantity and nature of the adjuvants, etc.) to be provided for the manufacture of the cement. cement from, for each raw material, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the raw material associated with the identifier and stored in the memory 218 of the computer 220. The actual formulation is transmitted by the computer 220 to the robots of production of the mixing station 200. For each raw material component cement, when several identifiers are provided to the computer 220, the computer 220 can determine the actual formulation to provide for the manufacture of cement from a weighting of physical and / or chemical characteristics of the raw material associated with each identifier. In the case of non-detection of an RFID tag, the formulation used to produce the batch of cement 208 may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of raw material as those of the last portion of raw material. used to make a batch of the same type of cement and for which an RFID tag had been detected.

During the production of a batch of cement, raw material is transported from each loaded silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D to the weighing device 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D corresponding to reach the quantity of material first desired. The reading of the RFID tags can be performed at the silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, during the transfer of the raw material from the silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D to the weighing device 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D or at the level of the weighing device 206A, 206B, 206C ₁ 206D. As a result, the amount of raw material needed for cement batch 208 can be determined just before the start of weighing or at the very beginning of weighing. The transfer of raw material from the silo 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D to the weighing device 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D is then interrupted when the desired quantity of raw material is obtained. Alternatively, when several batches of the same type of cement are made successively, the first batch can be made with a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of the raw materials as those of the last portions of raw materials used. to make a batch of the same type of cement and for which an RFID tag had been detected. During the weighing of each raw material to realize the first batch, an RFID chip is detected and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the raw material are determined by interrogation of the computer 220. For the realization of the second batch, the formulation used takes into account the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the raw material obtained from the detection of the identifier of an RFID chip inserted in the raw material used to produce the first batch, this formulation being able to be adapted to take account of the formulation used for the first batch. Similarly, for the production of each subsequent batch, the formulation used takes into account the physical and / or chemical characteristics of raw material obtained from the detection of the identifier of an RFID chip inserted in the raw material used to produce the previous batch. The process continues at step 244.

In step 244, the cement batch 208 is manufactured, for example by means of the mixer 205, using the actual formulation of the cement. FIG. 9 represents, in a partial and schematic manner, another embodiment of a cement manufacturing installation 246. The elements common to the installation 200 are designated by the same references. The cement manufacturing facility 246 is suitable for the continuous manufacture of cement batches 208.

According to the present embodiment, the installation comprises a clinker production system 248. By way of example, the clinker production system 248 can comprise means for extracting raw materials, crushing means for raw materials extracted, means for screening crushed raw materials, means for prehomogenizing the raw materials, means for preparing the raw material, cooking means for obtaining clinker, drying means and a grinding workshop, comprising, for example, a ball mill or a grinder in which the clinker is finely ground. The clinker production system 248 provides clinker in powder form continuously to the mixer 205. Samples of the produced clinker are produced, preferably at regular intervals, and transmitted to the analysis center 216. Stored in the memory from the computer the results of the clinker analyzes.

FIG. 10 illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, a method of manufacturing concrete according to an example embodiment of the present invention adapted to the cement manufacturing installation 246 of FIG. 9. Steps 250, 252, 254, 256, 258 are respectively identical to steps 230, 232, 234, 240, 242 described above in relation with FIG. 8.

In parallel and independently of the preceding steps, the continuous production of clinker at step 260 by the clinker production system 248 takes place. At step 254, to produce a batch of cement containing clinker and at least one of platier materials stored in the silos 202C, 202D, we search for each 202C silo, 202D used, by means of the reader 222C, 222D associated with at least one RFID tag 212C, 212D present in the raw material. When an RFID tag 212C, 212D is detected, its identifier is read by the reader 222C, 222D and then transmitted to the computer 220. When several RFID tags are detected by the reader 222C, 222D, the identifiers of all the detected RFID tags are transmitted to the computer 220. In the case where no RFID tag is detected by the reader 222C, 222D, for example after a determined period of time, the reader 222C, 222D transmits a message of absence of detection to the computer 220. The method continues in step 262.

In step 262, the computer 220 determines, by means of the cement formulation program, the actual formulation (quantity of each mineral addition, quantity and nature of the adjuvants, etc.) to be provided for the manufacture of the cement from, for each mineral addition, physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first mineral addition associated with the identifier and stored in the memory 218 of the computer 220. The actual formulation is transmitted by the computer 220 to the automatic production machines the mixing station 200. Advantageously, the actual formulation takes into account the latest clinker analysis result (s).

For each mineral addition composing the cement, when several identifiers are provided to the computer 220, the computer 220 can determine the actual formulation to be provided for the manufacture of the cement from a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement. mineral addition associated with each identifier. In the case of failure to detect an RFID tag, the formulation used to produce the batch of cement 208 may correspond to a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical mineral addition characteristics as those of the last portion of mineral addition used to make a batch of the same type of cement and for which an RFID tag had been detected.

During the production of a batch of cement, mineral addition is transported from each biased silo 202C, 202D to the weighing device 206C, 206D corresponding to reach the desired amount of mineral addition. The RFID tags may be read at silo 202C, 202D or during transfer of mineral addition from silo 202C ₁ 202D to weighing device 206C, 206D. As a result, the amount of mineral addition required for the batch of cement 208 can be determined just before the start of weighing or at the very beginning of weighing. The mineral addition transfer of the silo 202C, 202D to the weighing device 206C, 206D is then interrupted when the desired amount of mineral addition is obtained. Alternatively, when several batches of the same type of cement are made successively, the first batch can be made with a formulation using the same physical and / or chemical characteristics of the mineral additions as those of the last portions of mineral additions used to make a batch of the same type of cement and for which an RFID tag had been detected. During the weighing of each mineral addition to realize the first batch, an RFID chip is detected and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the mineral addition are determined by interrogating the computer 220. For the realization of the second batch, the formulation used takes into account the physical and / or chemical characteristics of mineral addition obtained from the detection of the identifier of an RFID chip inserted in the mineral addition used to make the first batch, this formulation being adaptable to take into account account of the formulation used for the first batch. Similarly, for the production of each subsequent batch, the formulation used takes into account the physical and / or chemical characteristics of mineral addition obtained from the detection of the identifier of an RFID chip inserted in the mineral addition used. to make the previous batch. The process continues at step 264.

In step 264, the cement batch 208 is made, for example by means of the mixer 205, using the actual formulation of the cement.

Examples will now be described of adapting a formulation of a concrete to variations in the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the cement used to make the concrete.

First example: correction of the formulation of a concrete in order to preserve the mechanical resistance when the Blaine fineness of the cement varies.

CEM1 cement of the CEM I 52.5 N type produced by Lafarge's cement plant in Le Havre and having the composition mentioned in Table (1) below is considered:

Table (1) The concrete formulation shown in Table (2) below is used for the manufacture of concrete from CEM1 cement:

Table (2)

The 28-day compressive strength Rc of the concrete obtained with the formulation in Table (2) and CEM1 cement is shown in Table (3):

Table (3) It is assumed that the cement plant can supply a CEM I 52.5 N type CEM2 cement having the composition mentioned in Table (4) below:

Table (4)

CEM2 cement differs from cement CEM1 in particular in that its Blaine fineness is lower. If the formulation in Table (2) was used with CEM2 cement, the 28-day resistance Rc would have the value given in Table (5):

Table (5)

It appears that the 28-day resistance Rc of the concrete obtained with the cement CEM2 and the formulation of the table (2) is lower than that of the concrete obtained with the cement CEM1. To obtain with the CEM2 cement the same 28-day compressive strength Rc as for the CEM1 cement, the formulation program present at the server 44 (or the computer 52) provides the following new formulation indicated in the table (6) . The 28 day resistance Rc obtained is also indicated in Table (6).

Quantity per m3

Value | Uncertainty |

| Rc 28 days | I 40 MPa I I 4 I

Table (6)

In the formulation of Table (6) in relation to the formulation in Table (2), 14 kg of CEM2 cement must be added so that the concrete obtained has a strength at 28 days equivalent to that of concrete obtained with CEM1 cement.

Second example: correction of the formulation of a concrete in order to preserve the rheological properties when the concentration in alkalis varies.

CEM1 cement having the composition mentioned in Table (7) below is considered:

Table (7)

To obtain 15 cm Abrams cone concrete, use the concrete formulation given in Table (8) below:

Constituents: Quantity m3:

Cement: 280 kg / m3

Effective water: 150 kg / m3

Air: 2%

Adjuvant: Glenium 27 3.00 L / m3

Sand 1: ST BONNET DE MURE 0/5 mm 820 kg / m3 Granulate 1: ST BONNET DE MURE 5/10 mm 285 kg / m 3 Granulate 2: ST BONNET OF MURE 10/20 mm 770 kg / m3 Eeff / C = 0536

Table (7)

It is assumed that the cement plant can supply CEM2 cement having the composition mentioned in Table (8) below:

Table (8)

CEM2 cement differs from cement CEM1 mainly by a smaller amount of alkali.

It is desired to obtain the same slump of the Abrams cone of 15 cm by modifying the formulation of Table (7) only the addition of an adjuvant, for example Glenium 27, which is a superplasticizer high water reducer marketed by BASF. To obtain a CEM2 cement with the same cone slump of the Abrams cone as for concrete made with CEM1 cement, the formulation program present at the level of the server 44 (or the computer 52) provides a new formulation in the amount of Glenium adjuvant 27 is 1.6 L / m ³ .

It is assumed that the cement plant can supply a CEM3 cement having the composition mentioned in Table (9) below:

Table (9)

CEM3 cement differs from cement CEM1 mainly by a larger amount of alkali.

It is desired to obtain the same subsidence of the Abrams cone of 15 cm by modifying, compared to the formulation of the table (7), only the Glenium 27 feed. To obtain with cement CEM3 a concrete having the same collapse at the cone of Abrams that for concrete made with cement CEM1, the formulation program present at server 44 (or computer 52) provides a new formulation in which the amount of adjuvant Glenium 27 is 6 L / m ³ .

Claims

A method of making a mixture of at least first and second components, at least the first or second component being a hydraulic binder, the process comprising the steps of: (i) assigning to at least one portion (30; 204A 204B, 204C, 204D) of the first data storage device (35; 92; 132; 212A; 212B; 212C; 212D) at which at least one identifier of the portion of the first component is stored;

(ii) determining physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent;

(iii) storing the identifier and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent; (iv) determining the read identifier of the data storage device; (v) providing a formulation of the mixture that depends on the stored physical and / or chemical characteristics corresponding to the identifier; and (vi) manufacturing said mixture with said formulation, at least in part with said portion of the first component.

The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage device (35; 92; 212A; 212B; 212C; 212D) is a radio frequency identification tag inserted into the portion (30; 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D) of the first component.

The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising a step of storing the first constituent, and wherein, in step (i), data storage devices are introduced into the first constituent prior to the storing step. .

The method of claim 3 wherein step (ii) comprises the steps of: taking samples of the first component prior to the storage step; determining, by analysis of each sample, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of the sample; and storing in a database, for each identifier, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of one of the samples or a weighting of the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of several samples.

5. Method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a step of storing the first component, wherein the storage step is followed by a step of forming the portion (30) of the first component from the first stored component, and wherein the step of forming the portion of the first component is followed by the step of inserting at least one data storage device (92) into the portion of the first component.

The method of claim 5, wherein step (ii) comprises the steps of: taking a sample of the portion of the first component; determining, by sample analysis, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent; and storing, in a database, the identifier and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of the sample.

The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage device (132) is a bar-coded medium.

The method of claim 7, comprising a step of storing the first component, wherein the storing step is followed by a step of forming the first component portion (30) from the first stored component and wherein the step of forming the portion of the first constituent is followed by the step of assigning a data storage device (132) to the portion of the first constituent.

The method of claim 8, wherein step (ii) comprises the steps of: taking a sample of the portion of the first component; determining, by sample analysis, the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent; and storing, in a database, the identifier and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the first constituent of the sample.

The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mixture is a cement.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mixture is a concrete.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first component is the hydraulic binder.

13. System (5; 90; 130; 200; 246) for manufacturing a mixture of at least first and second components, at least the first or second component being a hydraulic binder, the system comprising: a system (34) assigning to at least one portion (30; 204A, 204B, 204C,

204D) of the first component of a data storage device (35; 92; 132; 212A; 212B; 212C; 212D) at which at least one identifier of the portion of the first component is stored; a system (42; 216) for determining physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent; a device (43; 218) for storing the identifier and the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the portion of the first constituent; a read device (50; 134; 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D) of the data storage device; a system (44; 220) for providing a formulation of the mixture which depends on the physical and / or chemical characteristics associated with the identifier read by the reading device; and an installation (20) for manufacturing the mixture, with said formulation, at least in part with said portion of the first component.

The system of claim 13, wherein the data storage device (35; 92; 212A; 212B; 212C; 212D) is a radio frequency identification tag and wherein the reading device (50; 222A, 222B) , 222C, 222D) is a radio frequency identification tag reader.

The system of claim 13, wherein the data storage device (132) is a bar-coded medium and wherein the reading device (134) is a bar code reader.