U.S. patent application number 13/544406 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-27 for method for producing a sulfur concrete substance.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI CONCRETE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Masaaki Chatani, Minoru Kurakake, Yoshifumi Tominaga, Yasunori Yamaguchi.
Application Number | 20120326355 13/544406 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41113752 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20120326355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kurakake; Minoru ; et
al. |
December 27, 2012 |
Method for Producing a Sulfur Concrete Substance
Abstract
A sulfur-containing material in a melt state is stored in
material hopper heated to a temperature within a preset temperature
range of which a lower limit is equal to or above a melting point
of sulfur. The stored sulfur-containing material is sucked by
pressure generators and pulled out into cylinders heated to a
temperature within the preset temperature range. The pulled out
sulfur-containing material is pushed out from the cylinders under
pressure applied by the pressure generator, and thereafter, the
resultant material is injected into mold heated to a temperature
within the preset temperature range. An injection port of the mold
after the sulfur-containing material is fully injected is closed.
By stopping heating of the mold, the sulfur-containing material is
slowly cooled. After that, a modified sulfur concrete substance
formed by cooling and solidifying the sulfur-containing material is
taken out from the mold.
Inventors: |
Kurakake; Minoru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Chatani; Masaaki; (Muroran, JP) ;
Tominaga; Yoshifumi; (Takeo, JP) ; Yamaguchi;
Yasunori; (Takeo, JP) |
Assignee: |
FUJI CONCRETE INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
Takeo
JP
NIPPON OIL CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41113752 |
Appl. No.: |
13/544406 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12891575 |
Sep 27, 2010 |
8235705 |
|
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13544406 |
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PCT/JP2009/055784 |
Mar 24, 2009 |
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12891575 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
264/328.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C04B 28/36 20130101;
C04B 28/36 20130101; B28B 1/54 20130101; C04B 40/0085 20130101;
B28B 7/42 20130101; F04B 15/023 20130101; B28B 13/0275 20130101;
B28B 21/38 20130101; C04B 12/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
264/328.2 |
International
Class: |
B28B 5/00 20060101
B28B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 2008 |
JP |
2008-078240 |
Claims
1. A modified sulfur concrete substance producing method,
comprising: storing a sulfur-containing material in a melt state in
a material hopper heated to a temperature within a preset
temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or above a
melting point of sulfur; pulling the sulfur-containing material out
of the material hopper, using a pressure generator, and into a
cylinder heated to a temperature within the preset temperature
range; pushing the sulfur-containing material out from the cylinder
under predetermined pressure applied by the pressure generator and
injecting the material from an injection port into a mold having
therein a cavity which can be hermetically sealed and the mold
being heated to a temperature within the preset temperature range;
closing the injection port of the mold after the sulfur-containing
material is fully injected in the cavity; slowly cooling the
sulfur-containing material injected in the cavity by stopping
heating of the mold; and taking out a modified sulfur concrete
substance formed by cooling and solidifying the sulfur-containing
material in the cavity from the mold.
2. The modified sulfur concrete substance producing method
according to claim 1, wherein the sulfur-containing material stored
in the material hopper is agitated by an agitating blade provided
in the material hopper.
3. The modified sulfur concrete substance producing method
according to claim 1, wherein said injecting the sulfur-containing
material into the mold includes injecting the sulfur-containing
material while applying vibration to the mold.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/891,575, filed on Sep. 27, 2010, which is a
Continuation of International Patent Application No.
PCT/JP2009/055784, filed on Mar. 24, 2009, which claims priority to
foreign Patent Application No. JP 2008-078240, filed on Mar. 25,
2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a modified sulfur concrete
substance producing method of forming a modified sulfur concrete
substance by injecting a sulfur-containing material in a melt
state, under predetermined pressure, into a mold having therein a
cavity which can be hermetically sealed and the mold being heated
to a temperature within a preset temperature range, and thereafter,
making the material in the cavity cooled and solidified, and to a
producing apparatus used to execute the method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Generally, concrete obtained by combining aggregate by
cement is used as a civil-engineering material and construction
material. The sulfur recently receives an attention due to the
characteristics that the sulfur is a solid at room temperature
while melted upon being heated to about 119.degree. C. to
159.degree. C., and it is attempted that the sulfur is utilized as
a civil-engineering material and a construction material by mixing
a predetermined sample or predetermined samples in it. It is known
that the sulfur-containing material using the sulfur has high
strength, an excellent water-sealing property and high acid
resistance, as compared with usual concrete employing cement.
Further, since the sulfur-containing material is apparently similar
to a usual concrete in finishing and handling, sometimes the
solidified material is called sulfur concrete substance.
[0004] Since the sulfur has ignition property and is dealt with a
hazardous material, it is difficult to perform construction by
melting, casting and solidifying the sulfur material on site.
Therefore, in order to improve such a situation, it is attempted
that the sulfur is denatured to produce modified sulfur by mixing a
sulfur modifying agent as an additive into molten sulfur. Further,
it is attempted that a modified sulfur intermediate material in a
melt state is produced by mixing the modified sulfur and fine
powders, and a modified sulfur concrete substance is produced by
mixing the modified sulfur intermediate material with the aggregate
and solidifying the mixture.
[0005] Further, in order to form the sulfur concrete substance or
the modified sulfur concrete substance by making the
sulfur-containing material (or the modified sulfur intermediate
material) in the melt state cooled and solidified, the sulfur
containing material is injected into a mold having a predetermined
shape, and thereafter, is cooled and solidified.
[0006] As a technique of producing a sulfur-concrete product which
can be immediately removed from the mold after hermetic sealing and
has a smooth surface and excellent durability, a technique is
disclosed in which a mixture obtained by mixing from 1 to 20 volume
parts of mineral fine powders to 1 volume part of the sulfur is
heated to the melting point of sulfur or higher and hermetically
sealed, thereby forming a compact having self molding
performance.
[0007] However, the sulfur-containing material in the melt state
start to solidify at the time point when the temperature is below
solidification temperature (about 119.degree. C.) of the sulfur and
solidifies to have high strength which is equal to or higher than
that of usual concrete. Conventionally, when the sulfur-containing
material in the melt state solidifies, a part which is in contact
with the mold when the material is poured into the mold is cooled
rapidly, so that a problem occurs such that the surface of the
sulfur concrete substance or the modified sulfur concrete substance
removed from the mold is rough. In addition, it is difficult to
manufacture a product having high precision in shape.
[0008] Furthermore, when a cylindrical product such as a hume pipe
or a manhole is manufactured by usual concrete, a producing method
called centrifugal molding of injecting the concrete into a
cylindrical mold while rotating and vibrating the mold so as to
press the material against the inner peripheral surface of the mold
by centrifugal force and vibration is employed. In this case, a
skilled hand is needed for finishing of the inner peripheral
surface of the cylindrical product, and it takes long time. First
of all, since the sulfur-containing material in the melt state
start to solidify at the time point when the temperature is below
the solidification temperature (about 119.degree. C.) of the
sulfur, a product may not be manufactured by using the centrifugal
molding of pressing the material against the inner peripheral
surface of the mold by using the centrifugal force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the above described problem, one aspect of the
present invention provides a modified sulfur concrete substance
producing method of forming a modified sulfur concrete substance by
injecting a sulfur-containing material in a melt state, under
predetermined pressure, into a mold having therein a cavity of a
predetermined shape, and thereafter, making the material in the
cavity cooled and solidified, and a producing apparatus used to
execute the method.
[0010] In order to achieve this aspect, a modified sulfur concrete
substance producing method of an embodiment of the present
invention includes: a step of storing a sulfur-containing material
in a melt state in a material hopper heated to a temperature within
a preset temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or
above a melting point of sulfur; a step of sucking the
sulfur-containing material stored in the material hopper by a
pressure generator and pulling out the sulfur-containing material
into a cylinder heated to a temperature within the preset
temperature range; a step of pushing out the sulfur-containing
material pulled out into the cylinder, from the cylinder under a
predetermined pressure applied by the pressure generator and
injecting the sulfur-containing material from an injection port of
a mold, into the mold having therein a cavity which can be
hermetically sealed and the mold being heated to a temperature
within a preset temperature range; a step of closing the injection
port of the mold after the sulfur-containing material is fully
injected in the cavity; a step of slowly cooling the
sulfur-containing material injected in the cavity by stopping
heating of the mold; and a step of taking out a modified sulfur
concrete substance formed by cooling and solidifying the
sulfur-containing material in the cavity, from the mold.
[0011] By the above-mentioned method, a sulfur-containing material
in a melt state is stored in a material hopper heated to a
temperature within the preset temperature range of which a lower
limit is equal to or above the melting point of sulfur. The stored
sulfur-containing material is sucked by pressure generators and
pulled out into cylinders heated to a temperature within the preset
temperature range. The pulled out sulfur-containing material is
pushed out from the cylinder under the predetermined pressure
applied by the pressure generator to thereby inject the material
from the injection port of the mold, into the mold having therein a
cavity which can be hermetically sealed and the mold being heated
to a temperature within the preset temperature range. The injection
port of the mold is closed after the sulfur-containing material is
fully injected in the cavity. By stopping heating of the mold, the
sulfur-containing material injected in the cavity is slowly cooled,
so that the modified sulfur concrete substance formed by cooling
and solidifying the sulfur-containing material in the cavity is
taken out from the mold. After that, the sulfur-containing material
in the melt state is injected under the predetermined pressure into
the mold having therein a cavity which can be hermetically sealed
and the mold being heated to a temperature within the preset
temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or above the
melting point of sulfur, and thereafter, the material is cooled and
solidified in the cavity, thereby forming a modified sulfur
concrete substance. Therefore, even if the shape of a product made
by the modified sulfur concrete substance is complicated, a product
of high precision can be manufactured by the shape of the cavity in
the mold. In addition, since the precision of the product is depend
on the shape of the mold, regardless of the wideness of a finished
surface of the mold and complication of the shape of the mold,
uniform products can be manufactured. Further, surface finishing of
a product is not required, so that a skilled person is not
needed.
[0012] The sulfur-containing material stored in the material hopper
is agitated by an agitating blade provided in the material hopper.
By agitating the sulfur-containing material stored in the material
hopper with the agitating blade, separation of the components is
prevented, so that the uniform sulfur-containing material is
injected to the mold. Therefore, intensity of solidification of the
modified sulfur concrete substance can be increased.
[0013] Further, in the step of injecting the sulfur-containing
material into the mold, the material is injected while applying
vibration to the mold. By injecting the sulfur-containing material
while applying vibration to the mold, even if the sulfur-containing
material is a material having low flowability, the material can be
injected into the mold.
[0014] A modified sulfur concrete substance producing apparatus of
an embodiment of the present invention includes: a material hopper
heated to a temperature within the preset temperature range of
which a lower limit is equal to or above the melting point of
sulfur, and which stores a sulfur-containing material in a melt
state on the inside thereof; a pressure generator which suck the
sulfur-containing material stored in the material hopper, pulls out
the material into a cylinder heated to a temperature within the
preset temperature range, and thereafter, pushes out the
sulfur-containing material pulled out into the cylinder, from the
cylinder under predetermined pressure; an opening and closing plate
provided at each of a pull port for pulling out the
sulfur-containing material in the material hopper into the cylinder
and a push port for pushing out the sulfur-containing material from
the cylinder, which interlockingly moves to alternately open and
close the pull port and the push port; an injection hose whose base
end is connected to the push port for the sulfur-containing
material from the cylinder, the injection hose being heated to a
temperature within the preset temperature range, and in which the
sulfur-containing material flows; a mold whose injection port of a
sulfur-containing material is connected to the other end of the
injection hose, which has therein a cavity which is communicated
with the injection port and also can be hermetically sealed, which
has an air-release hole communicated with the cavity, and the mold
being heated to a temperature within the preset temperature range;
and an interrupting mechanism provided for the injection port in
the mold, which closes the injection port after the
sulfur-containing material is fully injected into the cavity.
[0015] With such a configuration, the sulfur-containing material in
a melt state heated to a temperature within the preset temperature
range of which a lower limit is equal to or above the melting point
of sulfur is stored on the inside of the material hopper. By the
pressure generator, the sulfur-containing material stored in the
material hopper is sucked and pulled out into a cylinder heated to
a temperature within the preset temperature range. The
sulfur-containing material pulled out into the cylinder is pushed
out from the cylinder under the predetermined pressure. By the
opening and closing plates provided at each of the pull port for
pulling out the sulfur-containing material in the material hopper
into the cylinder and the push port for pushing out the
sulfur-containing material from the cylinder, which interlockingly
moves, so that the pull port and the push port are alternately
opened and closed. The injection hose is heated to a temperature
within the preset temperature range and the sulfur-containing
material flows therein, the base end of the injection hose is
connected to the push port for the sulfur-containing material from
the cylinder. The other end of the injection hose is connected to
the injection port for the sulfur-containing material of the mold
having therein a cavity which is communicated with the injection
port and can be hermetically sealed, having an air-release hole
communicated with the cavity, and the mold being heated to a
temperature within the preset temperature range. By the
interrupting mechanism provided for the injection port, the
injection port of the mold is closed after the sulfur-containing
material is fully injected into the cavity. With such a
configuration, a sulfur-containing material in a melt state is
injected under predetermined pressure into the mold having therein
a cavity which can be hermetically sealed, and the mold being
heated to a temperature within the preset temperature range of
which a lower limit is equal to or above a melting point of sulfur.
After that, the sulfur-containing material is cooled and solidified
in the cavity, thereby forming a modified sulfur concrete
substance. Therefore, even if the shape of a product made by the
modified sulfur concrete substance is complicated, a product of
high precision can be manufactured by the shape of the cavity in
the mold. Further, since the precision of the product is depend on
the shape of the mold, regardless of the wideness of the finished
surface of the mold and the complication of the shape of the mold,
uniform products can be manufactured. Furthermore, the surface
finishing of a product is not required, so that a skilled person is
not needed.
[0016] Each of the material hopper, the cylinder of the pressure
generator, the injection hose, and the mold is provided with
heating means so as to be heated to a temperature within the preset
temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or above a
melting point of sulfur. With the configuration, by the heating
means provided for each of the material hopper, the cylinder of the
pressure generator, the injection hose, and the mold, each of the
components is heated to a temperature within the preset temperature
range of which a lower limit is equal to or above a melting point
of the sulfur material. Therefore, the sulfur-containing material
can be maintained in a melt state on the inside of each of the
components.
[0017] Further, each of the periphery of the material hopper, the
cylinder of the pressure generator, the injection hose, and the
mold is covered with a box-shaped member to increase atmospheric
temperature in the box-shaped member so as to heat each of the
components to a temperature within the preset temperature range of
which a lower limit is equal to or above a melting point of the
sulfur material. With the configuration, by surrounding the
periphery of the material hopper, the cylinder of the pressure
generator, the injection hose, and the mold with a box-shaped
member and increasing atmospheric temperature in the box-shaped
member, each of the components is heated to a temperature within
the preset temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or
above the melting point of sulfur. Therefore, in each of the
components, the sulfur-containing material can be maintained in a
melt state.
[0018] Further, a plurality of pressure generators is provided in
parallel to the material hopper, alternately executes operation of
sucking the sulfur-containing material stored in the material
hopper and pulling out it into the cylinder and an operation of
pushing out the sulfur-containing material pulled out into the
cylinder, from the cylinder under predetermined pressure. By the
plurality of pressure generators provided in parallel to the
material hopper, the operation of sucking the sulfur-containing
material stored in the material hopper and pulling out it into the
cylinder and the operation of pushing out the sulfur-containing
material pulled out into the cylinder, from the cylinder under
predetermined pressure can be executed alternately. Therefore, in
the case where the number of the pressure generators is two (two
cylinders), the operation of pulling out the sulfur-containing
material from the material hopper into the cylinder and the
operation of pushing out the sulfur-containing material from the
cylinder can be executed simultaneously, so that the time for
injecting the sulfur-containing material to the mold can be
shortened.
[0019] The opening and closing plate is housed in a plate cover as
a casing covering the periphery of the opening and closing plate in
the longitudinal direction except for portions of a pull port for
pulling out the sulfur-containing material from the material hopper
and a push port for pushing out the sulfur-containing material from
the cylinder, and the opening and closing plate slides in the plate
cover. With the configuration, the opening and closing plate housed
in the plate cover as the casing covering the periphery of the
opening and closing plate in the longitudinal direction, slides in
the plate cover, thereby preventing the sulfur-containing material
remaining in the portions of the pull port for the
sulfur-containing material from material hopper and the push port
for the sulfur-containing material from the cylinder from spilling
over in the periphery. Therefore, the sulfur-containing material
can be prevented from being adhered and solidified in the opening
and closing plate and in the vicinity of a lower part of the
material hopper, so that the maintenance can be facilitated.
[0020] Further, the cylinder of the pressure generator has a
structure which can be divided into upper and lower parts along the
longitudinal direction thereof. With the structure, at the time of
maintenance, the cylinder of the pressure generator can be divided
into the upper and lower parts along the longitudinal direction.
Therefore, the maintenance can be facilitated.
[0021] Further, an agitating blade for agitating the
sulfur-containing material stored in the material hopper is
provided on the inside of the material hopper. By agitating the
sulfur-containing material stored in the material hopper with the
agitating blade provided on the inside of the material hopper,
separation of the components is prevented, so that the uniform
sulfur-containing material is injected to the mold. Therefore,
intensity of solidification of the modified sulfur concrete
substance can be increased.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
modified sulfur concrete substance producing apparatus according to
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a material hopper
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the material hopper
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a pressure generator
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
components of a mold illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
structure of the mold illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating a
state where an upper half of a cylinder is exploded, for explaining
operation of the pressure generator and an opening and closing
plate illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 8 is similarly a perspective explanatory view
illustrating a state where an upper half of a cylinder is exploded,
for explaining operation of the pressure generator and the opening
and closing plate shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a transverse cross section view illustrating a
plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of a mold, at a
position of an injection port, for explaining a mechanism of
interrupting the injection port of the mold.
[0031] FIG. 10 is similarly a transverse cross section view
illustrating a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of a
mold, at a position of an injection port of the mold.
[0032] FIG. 11 is similarly a transverse cross section view
illustrating a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of a
mold, at a position of an injection port of the mold.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a mechanism of
interrupting the injection port of the mold.
[0034] FIG. 13 is similarly a perspective view illustrating a
mechanism of interrupting the injection port of the mold.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
modified sulfur concrete substance producing apparatus according to
the present invention. The apparatus is used for executing a
modified sulfur concrete substance producing method of forming a
modified sulfur concrete substance by injecting a sulfur-containing
material in a melt state, under predetermined pressure, into a mold
having therein a cavity which can be hermetically sealed and the
mold being heated to a temperature within a preset temperature
range of which a lower limit is equal to or above a melting point
of sulfur, and thereafter, making the material in the cavity cooled
and solidified, thereby forming a modified sulfur concrete
substance. The apparatus has a material hopper 1, pressure
generators 2a and 2b, opening and closing plates 3a and 3b, an
injection hose 4, a mold 5, and an interrupting mechanism 6 (refer
to FIG. 9).
[0037] Material hopper 1 stores a sulfur-containing material in a
melt state on the inside. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, material
hopper 1 is made of a metal and formed in a funnel shape, and the
volume of material hopper 1 is, for example, about 1.0 m.sup.3. The
peripheral portion of material hopper 1 is provided with heating
means such as an electric heater, a hot-air heater, or an oil
heater and is covered with a heat insulating material. Material
hopper 1 is heated to a temperature within the preset temperature
range of which a lower limit is equal to or above the melting point
(119.degree. C.) of sulfur. The preset temperature range of heating
is, preferably, about 135 to 150.degree. C. In the range, the
sulfur-containing material in the melt state stored in material
hopper 1 is held in the melt state without solidifying.
[0038] Material hopper 1 has therein agitating blades 7a and 7b.
Agitating blades 7a and 7b agitate the sulfur-containing material
stored in material hopper 1 and, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,
are attached at both ends of an arm shaft 10 orthogonal to a rotary
shaft 9 extending toward a downward direction from a rotation
driving source 8 such as an electric motor disposed on the top face
of material hopper 1. By rotating agitating blades 7a and 7b by
driving rotation driving source 8, the sulfur-containing material
stored in material hopper 1 is agitated and, without separation of
the materials, the uniform sulfur-containing material can be
injected into mold 5 which is described later. Further, by setting
the mounting angle of agitating blades 7a and 7b so that agitating
blades 7a and 7b are twisted downward like propeller blades, the
sulfur-containing material stored in material hopper 1 can be sent
downward while being agitated.
[0039] The sulfur-containing material is explained below. The
sulfur-containing material is called a sulfur concrete substance
produced by, using the characteristics that the sulfur is solid at
room temperature while melted upon being heated to about 119 to
159.degree. C., mixing sands, gravels, coal ashes or the like with
the sulfur melted by being heated to a temperature within the
preset temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or
above 119.degree. C. and kneading the mixed material while
maintaining the temperature at about 119 to 159.degree. C., and
thereafter, cooling and hardening the kneaded material. The
sulfur-containing material may be called a modified sulfur concrete
substance produced by mixing the sulfur melted by being similarly
heated to a temperature within the preset temperature range of
which a lower limit is equal to or above 119.degree. C. with a
sulfur modifying agent which denatures the melted sulfur to produce
modified sulfur, and mixing sands, gravels, coal ashes or the like
with the modified sulfur, and kneading the mixed material by being
heated in a manner similar to the above, and thereafter, cooling
and hardening the knead material. That is, the sulfur-containing
material includes the sulfur concrete substance and the modified
sulfur concrete substance. As used herein, the term "modified
sulfur concrete substance" intends to include, but not limited to,
"sulfur concrete substance".
[0040] The modified sulfur concrete substance is further described
in detail. The modified sulfur concrete substance is produced by
using sulfur, a sulfur modifying agent, fine powders, and aggregate
as materials. First, the melted sulfur and the sulfur modifying
agent are mixed to produce the modified sulfur. Sulfur is usual
simple sulfur and is, for example, natural sulfur or sulfur
produced by desulfurizing petroleum or natural gas. The sulfur
modifier performs modification by denaturing the melted sulfur, for
example, polymerizing sulfur. The sulfur modifying agent may be any
compound which can polymerize sulfur. For example, the sulfur
modifier is olefinic hydrocarbon or diolefin hydrocarbon having
carbon number of from 4 to 20, concretely, the sulfur modifier is
one of a cyclic olefinic hydrocarbon such as limonene or pinene,
aromatic hydrocarbon such as styrene, vinyl toluene, or
methylstyrene, and diene hydrocarbon such as dicyclopentadiene
(DCPD) and its oligomer, cyclopentadiene, tetrahydroindene (THI),
vinylcyclohexene, vinylnorbornene, ethylidene norbornene, or
cyclooctadiene, or a mixture of two or more of the hydrocarbons.
The sulfur and the sulfur modifying agent are mixed in a state
where sulfur is melted, that is, at a temperature range from 119 to
159.degree. C., preferably, from 135 to 150.degree. C.
[0041] The modified sulfur can be obtained by melt-mixing the
sulfur with sulfur modifying agent. The percent of use of the
sulfur modifying agent in this case is, preferably, from 0.1 to 30
percent by mass, more preferably, from 1.0 to 20 percent by mass to
the total amount of sulfur and the sulfur modifying agent. The
obtained modified sulfur is mixed with fine powders heated to a
predetermined temperature (for example, 150.degree. C.), thereby
obtaining a modified sulfur intermediate material. As the fine
powders, one or more of coal ash, siliceous, silica fume, glass
powders, fuel incineration, electrically collected dust and crushed
sea shell may be selected.
[0042] The obtained modified sulfur intermediate material is mixed
with the aggregate heated to, for example, about from 130 to
140.degree. C. in a state where the temperature is maintained at a
temperature at which a melt state can be maintained (for example,
from 130 to 140.degree. C.). The aggregate is not limited as long
as it can be used as aggregate, and aggregate generally used for
concrete can be used. Examples of such aggregate are one or more
materials selected from the group of natural stones, sands,
gravels, siliceous, iron and steel slag, ferronickel slag, copper
slag, side product generated at the time of manufacturing a metal,
liquid slags, shells and a mixture of the materials. By mixing the
modified sulfur intermediate material and the aggregate by using,
for example, a kneading unit, the modified sulfur material is
produced, and thereafter, by cooling and solidifying the modified
sulfur material, a modified sulfur concrete substance is produced.
Such a modified sulfur concrete substance can be produced by using,
for example, a modified sulfur concrete substance producing
system.
[0043] In the following description, such a sulfur concrete
substance or a modified sulfur concrete substance is heated in the
preset temperature range, and the resultant is used as a
sulfur-containing material in a melt state.
[0044] In FIG. 1, below material hopper 1, pressure generators 2a
and 2b are provided. Pressure generators 2a and 2b are used to suck
the sulfur-containing material stored in material hopper 1 and push
out the sucked sulfur-containing material under predetermined
pressure. Reference numeral 2a denotes a first pressure generator,
and reference numeral 2b denotes a second pressure generator. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, first pressure generator 2a includes a
cylinder 11a having a cylindrical shape, a piston 12a fit in
cylinder 11a, a piston rod 13a for pushing/pulling piston 12a, and
a driving motor 14a such as an electric motor for making piston rod
13a elongate and contract. Similarly, second pressure generator 2b
includes a cylinder 11b having a cylindrical shape, a piston 12b
fit in cylinder 11b, a piston rod 13b for pushing/pulling piston
12b, and a driving motor 14b such as an electric motor for making
piston rod 13b elongate and contract.
[0045] As for dimensions of each of cylinders 11a and 11b, for
example, the inside diameter is 130 mm, and a stroke is 600 mm. The
pushed out amount of the sulfur-containing material per one time is
7.96L. A predetermined pressure at the time of pushing out the
sulfur-containing material is, for example, 98 kPa (about 1
kg/cm.sup.2) or higher and 147 kPa (about 1.5 kg/cm.sup.2) or 196
kPa (about 2.0 kg/cm.sup.2) or less. Driving motors 14a and 14b may
be hydraulic motors.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the above-mentioned pressure
generators 2a and 2b are provided in parallel to the horizontal
direction to material hopper 1 (refer to FIG. 4), and can
alternately perform operation of sucking a sulfur-containing
material stored in material hopper 1 and pulling it out into
cylinders 11a and 11b and operation of pushing out, from cylinders
11a and 11b, the sulfur-containing material pulled out into
cylinders 11a and 11b under the predetermined pressure.
[0047] The peripheral portion of each of cylinders 11a and 11b of
pressure generators 2a and 2b is provided with heating means such
as an electric heater, a hot-air heater, or an oil heater and is
covered with a heat insulating material. Cylinders 11a and 11b are
heated to a temperature within a preset temperature range of which
a lower limit is equal to or above the melting point (119.degree.
C.) of sulfur (for example, about from 135 to 150.degree. C.). In
the range, the sulfur-containing material in the melt state, which
is pulled out into cylinders 11a and 11b, is held in the melt state
without solidifying.
[0048] Each of cylinders 11a and 11b of pressure generators 2a and
2b has a structure which can be divided into upper and lower parts
along the longitudinal direction thereof, as shown in FIGS. 7 and
8. For example, the cylindrical member is formed in a shape which
can be divided into two upper and lower half cylindrical members
along the longitudinal direction, which are fastened by bolts,
nuts, or the like. With the structure, at the time of maintenance,
each of cylinders 11a and 11b of pressure generators 2a and 2b is
divided into the two upper and lower parts along the longitudinal
direction to clean the inside. Consequently, maintenance can be
facilitated.
[0049] In a portion where cylinders 11a and 11b of pressure
generators 2a and 2b are coupled to the lower part of material
hopper 1, opening and closing plates 3a and 3b are provided, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Opening and closing plates 3a and 3b
alternately open and close pull ports 15a and 15b for pulling out
the sulfur-containing material in material hopper 1 into cylinders
11a and 11b and push ports 16a and 16b for pushing out the
sulfur-containing material from cylinders 11a and 11b. Opening and
closing plates 3a and 3b are provided for pull ports 15a and 15b
and push ports 16a and 16b, respectively. The two opening and
closing plates interlockingly move.
[0050] Specifically, pull ports 15a and 15b for the
sulfur-containing material are formed so as to be adapted to the
interval between cylinders 11a and 11b of pressure generators 2a
and 2b at the lower part of material hopper 1. Push ports 16a and
16b for the sulfur-containing material are formed so as to be
adapted to the interval between cylinders 11a and 11b at the front
end side (refer to FIG. 3) of cylinders 11a and 11b of pressure
generators 2a and 2b. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, each of
opening and closing plates 3a and 3b is formed as a member having
an elongated plate shape, the length thereof is at least twice of
the interval between cylinders 11a and 11b. Further, opening and
closing plates 3a and 3b can move in a direction orthogonal to the
longitudinal direction of cylinders 11a and 11b. The opening and
closing plate which opens and closes pull ports 15a and 15b is set
as first opening and closing plate 3a which is disposed so that, in
FIG. 3, the plane thereof is positioned in a horizontal plane at
the lower part of material hopper 1. The opening and closing plate
which opens and closes push ports 16a and 16b is set as second
opening and closing plate 3b which is disposed so that, in FIG. 3,
the plane thereof is positioned in a vertical plane at the front
end of each of cylinders 11a and 11b of pressure generators 2a and
2b.
[0051] In first opening and closing plate 3a, as illustrated in
FIG. 4, one through hole 17 is provided, for example, at a center
portion in the longitudinal direction. When first opening and
closing plate 3a moves in the directions of the arrows A and B,
through hole 17 matches either pull port 15a or 15b to thereby
alternately open or close two pull ports 15a and 15b. In second
opening and closing plate 3b, as illustrated in FIG. 2, through
holes 18a and 18b are provided, for example, at both ends in the
longitudinal direction. When second opening and closing plate 3b
moves in the directions of the arrows A and B, through hole 18a as
one of the through holes matches one push port 16a to close the
other push port 16b in an almost center portion of opening and
closing plate 3b. When the other through hole 18b matches the other
push port 16b, push port 16a is closed in an almost center portion
of opening and closing plate 3b. In such a manner, two push ports
16a and 16b are alternately opened and closed.
[0052] In such a state, one end (right end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of
each of first and second opening and closing plates 3a and 3b is
connected to an end plate 19 having a rectangular shape. An
extensible rod 20 is coupled to end plate 19, and a drive cylinder
21 such as an air cylinder is mounted at one end of extensible rod
20. By making extensible rod 20 elongate or contract in the
direction of arrow A or B by driving drive cylinder 21, first and
second opening and closing plates 3a and 3b move interlockingly in
the directions of arrows A and B. As a result, using first and
second opening and closing plates 3a and 3b, pull ports 15a and 15b
and push ports 16a and 16b can be alternately opened and closed. In
this case, one drive cylinder 21 and one extensible rod 20 are
sufficient, so that the structure and operation are simplified.
[0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, first and second opening
and closing plates 3a and 3b are housed in plate covers 22a and 22b
as casings covering the periphery of plates in the longitudinal
direction except for the portion of pull ports 15a and 15b for the
sulfur-containing material from material hopper 1 and push ports
16a and 16b for the sulfur-containing material from cylinders 11a
and 11b, and slide in plate covers 22a and 22b. That is, first and
second opening and closing plates 3a and 3b are inserted in plate
covers 22a and 22b as casings and slide interlockingly in the
directions of arrows A and B, thereby preventing the
sulfur-containing material remaining in the portion of pull ports
15a and 15b for the sulfur-containing material from material hopper
1 and push ports 16a and 16b for the sulfur-containing material
from cylinders 11a and 11b from spilling over in the periphery.
[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, a material introduction
pipe 23 having a fork shape is coupled to push ports 16a and 16b
for the sulfur-containing material from cylinders 11a and 11b. At
one end 23a of material introduction pipe 23, the sulfur-containing
material is combined to one pipe and led to injection hose 4
described later.
[0055] To push ports 16a and 16b for the sulfur-containing material
from cylinders 11a and 11b, the base end portion of injection hose
4 is connected. Injection hose 4 is provided to inject the
sulfur-containing material in the melt state pushed out from push
ports 16a and 16b for the sulfur-containing material from cylinders
11a and 11b to mold 5 described later. Injection hose 4 is made of
a material having heat resistance within the preset temperature
range of which a lower limit is equal to or above the melting point
of sulfur (about from 135 to 150.degree. C.) and having
flexibility. Injection hose 4 is connected to one end 23a of
material introduction pipe 23.
[0056] The peripheral portion of injection hose 4 is provided with
heating means such as an electric heater, a hot-air heater, or an
oil heater and is covered with a heat insulating material.
Injection hose 4 is heated to a temperature within the preset
temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or above the
melting point (119.degree. C.) of sulfur (for example, about from
135 to 150.degree. C.), so that the sulfur-containing material in
the melt state led into injection hose 4 is maintained in the melt
state without solidifying and flows in injection hose 4.
[0057] To the other end of injection hose 4, an injection port 24
of the sulfur-containing material of mold 5 is connected. Mold 5
forms the modified sulfur concrete substance by injecting the
sulfur-containing material in the melt state thereinto under the
predetermined pressure, and thereafter, making the material cooled
and solidified. Mold 5 is made of a metal such as steel or aluminum
and is formed in a shape adapted to the shape of a modified sulfur
concrete substance product to be manufactured. For example, mold 5
illustrated in FIG. 1 is used to manufacture a cylindrical modified
sulfur concrete substance product such as a Hume pipe or
manhole.
[0058] A concrete structure of mold 5 is described with reference
to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view
illustrating the components of mold 5 illustrated in FIG. 1. Mold 5
has a cavity which is communicated with injection port 24 and can
be hermetically sealed, and has an air-release hole communicated
with the cavity. Mold 5 is heated to a temperature within the
preset temperature range, and has an inner mold 25, outer molds 26a
and 26b as two members, and two end planks 27a and 27b.
[0059] Inner mold 25 specifies the inner peripheral surface of a
cylindrical product to be manufactured and is made by a member
whose outer peripheral surface is formed in a columnar shape with
predetermined length. By moving a part 25a of the member extending
in the longitudinal direction to the inside, entire inner mold 25
can be narrowed to the inside. Outer molds 26a and 26b specify the
outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical product to be
manufactured. Each of outer molds 26a and 26b is made by a member
having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of inner
mold 25 and formed in a cylindrical shape with predetermined
length. Outer molds 26a and 26b can be divided into two half
cylindrical members along the longitudinal direction. They may be
divided into three or more members. Further, end planks 27a and 27b
specify both end faces of the cylindrical product to be
manufactured. Each of end planks 27a and 27b is formed in a donut
shape or a circular plate shape having the outside diameter larger
than that of each of outer molds 26a and 26b. End planks 27a and
27b are disposed at both ends of inner mold 25 and outer molds 26a
and 26b.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 6, inner mold 25 whose outer
peripheral surface is formed in a columnar shape is covered with
outer molds 26a and 26b as two half cylindrical members. Inner mold
25 and outer molds 26a and 26b are combined in a cylindrical shape
by bolts, nuts or the like. Two end planks 27a and 27b are disposed
at both ends of outer molds 26a and 26b. Both ends of inner mold 25
are fit in center openings of donut plate shapes of end planks 27a
and 27b, and end planks 27a and 27b are fixed to outer molds 26a
and 26b by bolts, nuts or the like. In such a manner, mold 5
illustrated in FIG. 1 is assembled.
[0061] In this state, in a space surrounded by inner mold 25, outer
molds 26a and 26b, and end planks 27a and 27b, a cavity 28 (refer
to FIG. 9) which is communicated with injection port 24 and can be
hermetically sealed is formed. In the top face of outer mold 26a as
one of outer molds, an air-release hole 29 in a pipe shape for
letting air release when a sulfur-containing material in a melt
state is injected from injection port 24 into cavity 28 is
provided.
[0062] The peripheral portion of outer molds 26a and 26b is
provided with heating means such as an electric heater, a hot-air
heater, or an oil heater and is covered with a heat insulating
material. Outer molds 26a and 26b are heated to a temperature
within the preset temperature range of which a lower limit is equal
to or above the melting point (119.degree. C.) of sulfur (for
example, about from 135 to 150.degree. C.). In the range, the
sulfur-containing material injected in outer molds 26a and 26b is
maintained in the melt state without solidifying, and is spread to
entire cavity 28 surrounded by inner mold 25, outer molds 26a and
26b, and end planks 27a and 27b.
[0063] Mold 5 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 shows a mold shape
in the case of manufacturing a cylindrical product by a modified
sulfur concrete substance. In the case of manufacturing a product
having a shape other than the cylindrical shape, shapes of inner
mold 25, outer molds 26a and 26b, and end planks 27a and 27b may be
determine in accordance with the shape of the product. When the
product shape is not a pipe shape but is a plate shape, a board
shape, a block shape or the like, inner mold 25 may be
unnecessary.
[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, injection port 24 of mold 5
is provided with interrupting mechanism 6. FIGS. 9 to 11 are
transverse cross section views each illustrating a plane orthogonal
to the longitudinal direction of mold 5, in a position of injection
port 24. Interrupting mechanism 6 closes injection port 24 after
the sulfur-containing material is fully injected into cavity 28 via
injection hose 4. In FIG. 9, at a position in front of injection
port 24 of mold 5, an injection port opening/closing plate 30 is
provided to slidably move up and down. As illustrated in FIG. 12, a
guide plate 31 having hook-shaped retainers on both sides thereof
is fixed in the front position of injection port 24 of mold 5, both
sides of injection port opening/closing plate 30 are retained by
the retainers of guide plate 31, so that injection port
opening/closing plate 30 slidably moves up and down.
[0065] In FIGS. 9 and 12, a hose hook 32 for connecting the other
end of injection hose 4 is attached to a lower part of injection
port opening/closing plate 30. In an upper part of injection port
opening/closing plate 30, a port cap 33 for closing injection port
24 of mold 5 illustrated in FIG. 9 is provided so that it can move
forward or backward. In injection port opening/closing plate 30, in
positions where hose hook 32 and port cap 33 are attached, through
holes (refer to FIG. 9) matched and communicated with injection
port 24 of mold 5 are provided. Port cap 33 is supported on the
inside of an attachment fitting 34 whose side sectional shape is a
U shape, and is attached at the tip of a push-in bolt 36. By
rotating push-in bolt 36 in a forward or reverse direction to a nut
35 fixed to attachment fitting 34, port cap 33 can move forward or
backward. The transverse sectional shape of port cap 33 is the same
as that of injection port 24.
[0066] In FIG. 9, reference numeral 37 denotes a reinforcement
flange attached to the inner peripheral face of inner mold 25.
Reference numeral 38 denotes a notch formed in flange 37 as a
clearance used at the time of narrowing entire inner mold 25 to the
inside by moving a part 25a of inner mold 25 to the inside.
Reference numeral 39 denotes a reinforcement flange attached to the
outer peripheral surface of outer molds 26a and 26b. Reference
numeral 40 denotes a coupling bolt used for separating outer molds
26a and 26b to two half cylindrical members along the longitudinal
direction or coupling outer molds 26a and 26b.
[0067] A state of closing injection port 24 of mold 5 by using
interrupting mechanism 6 having the above configuration is
described. FIG. 9 illustrates a state where the sulfur-containing
material is to be injected in cavity 28 of mold 5. Injection port
opening/closing plate 30 is moved upward along guide plate 31, so
that the position of hose hook 32 matches the position of injection
port 24 of mold 5. In this state, the other end of injection hose 4
illustrated in FIG. 1 is connected to hose hook 32 to inject a
sulfur-containing material in a melt state from injection port 24
of mold 5 into cavity 28.
[0068] After the sulfur-containing material is fully injected in
cavity 28, as illustrated in FIG. 10, injection port
opening/closing plate 30 is moved downward as indicated by arrow C
along guide plate 31 to make the position of port cap 33 match with
that of injection port 24 of mold 5. In this state, as illustrated
in FIG. 11, push-in bolt 36 is rotated in the forward direction to
move forward as indicated by arrow D to thereby push port cap 33 in
injection port 24 of mold 5. At this time, in FIG. 10, the sulfur
containing material remaining in injection port 24 is pushed into
cavity 28 by the push-in of port cap 33. Consequently, finishing of
a portion corresponding to injection port 24 in the modified sulfur
concrete substance product formed by cooling and solidifying in
cavity 28 is facilitated, and the portion can be finished as a
smooth plane.
[0069] The operation of the modified sulfur concrete substance
producing apparatus constructed as described above and the method
of producing the modified sulfur concrete substance is described.
First, in FIG. 1, the sulfur-containing material in the melt state
is stored in material hopper 1 heated to a temperature within a
preset temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or
above the melting point (119.degree. C.) of sulfur (for example,
about from 135 to 150.degree. C.). The sulfur-containing material
stored in material hopper 1 may be agitated by agitating blades 7a
and 7b provided in material hopper 1.
[0070] The sulfur-containing material stored in material hopper 1
is sucked by second pressure generator 2b to be pulled into
cylinder 11b heated to the preset temperature range, and also, the
sulfur-containing material already pulled in another cylinder 11a
is pushed out from cylinder 11a under predetermined pressure
applied by first pressure generator 2a and injected from injection
port 24 into mold 5 having therein cavity 28 which can be
hermetically sealed and the mold being heated to the preset
temperature range.
[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 7, extensible rod 20 extends in the
direction of arrow A by driving drive cylinder 21, so that through
hole 17 in first opening and closing plate 3a matches pull port 15b
(refer to FIG. 1) from material hopper 1 to be opened, and further,
through hole 18a in second opening and closing plate 3b matches
push port 16a (refer to FIG. 1) from cylinder 11a to be opened. By
the operation of opening and closing plates 3a and 3b and the
operation of first and second pressure generators 2a and 2b, the
sulfur-containing material stored in material hopper 1 is pulled
into cylinder 11b, and the sulfur-containing material already
pulled in another cylinder 11a is pushed out and injected from
injection port 24 into mold 5.
[0072] After the above-mentioned process, as illustrated in FIG. 8,
extensible rod 20 is contracted in the direction of arrow B by
driving drive cylinder 21, so that through hole 17 in first opening
and closing plate 3a matches pull port 15a (refer to FIG. 1) from
material hopper 1 and to be opened and further, through hole 18b in
second opening and closing plate 3b matches push port 16b (refer to
FIG. 1) from cylinder 11b of second pressure generator 2b to be
opened. By the operation of opening and closing plates 3a and 3b
and the operation of first and second pressure generators 2a and
2b, the sulfur-containing material stored in material hopper 1 is
pulled into cylinder 11a of first pressure generator 2a, and the
sulfur-containing material pulled in cylinder 11b of second
pressure generator 2b last time is pushed out and injected from
injection port 24 into mold 5. After that, the operation is
repeated.
[0073] The sulfur-containing material is injected to mold 5 by, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, connecting the base end of injection hose 4
to one end 23a of material introduction pipe 23 coupled to push
ports 16a and 16b for the sulfur-containing material from cylinders
11a and 11b, and connecting the other end of injection hose 4 to
injection port 24 of mold 5. Injection hose 4 is connected to mold
5 by, as illustrated in FIG. 9, being connected to hose hook 32
attached to a lower part of injection port opening/closing plate 30
provided at the front position of injection port 24 of mold 5. When
the sulfur-containing material is injected into mold 5, air in mold
5 escapes from air-release hole 29 provided in the top face of
outer mold 26a.
[0074] While the sulfur-containing material is injected into mold
5, material hopper 1, cylinders 11a and 11b of pressure generators
2a and 2b, injection hose 4 and mold 5 are heated to a temperature
within a preset temperature range of which a lower limit is equal
to or above the melting point (119.degree. C.) of sulfur (for
example, about from 135 to 150.degree. C.). Consequently, the
sulfur-containing material is not solidified but can be maintained
in the melt state in each of the components. In the process of
injecting the sulfur-containing material into mold 5, the material
may be injected while applying vibrations to mold 5. In this case,
even if the sulfur-containing material is a material having low
flowability, the material can be injected into mold 5.
[0075] After the sulfur-containing material is fully injected in
cavity 28 of mold 5, injection port 24 of mold 5 is closed. The
operation of closing injection port 24 is performed by pushing port
cap 33 into injection port 24 of mold 5 by using interrupting
mechanism 6 illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11. By the push-in of port
cap 33, the sulfur-containing material remaining in injection port
24 is pushed against cavity 28, so that the part corresponding to
injection port 24 can be finished as a smooth surface.
[0076] After that, injection hose 4 is detached from injection port
24 of mold 5, and is connected to injection port 24 of another mold
5 for manufacturing the next product.
[0077] In this state, heating of mold 5 is stopped, and the
sulfur-containing material injected in cavity 28 is slowly cooled
at room temperature. After a predetermined time is elapsed, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, mold 5 is disassembled, and the modified
sulfur concrete substance formed by cooling and solidifying the
sulfur-containing material in cavity 28 is taken out from mold 5.
Mold 5 is disassembled as follows. By moving a part 25a of inner
mold 25 to the inside in FIG. 9, entire inner mold 25 is narrowed
to the inside and separated from the modified sulfur concrete
substance. Inner mold 25 is pulled out by using a dedicated jig.
After that, end planks 27a and 27b at both ends are separated from
the modified sulfur concrete substance. Finally, outer molds 26a
and 26b are divided into two upper and lower members. In such a
manner, the modified sulfur concrete substance as a product can be
taken out from mold 5.
[0078] In the above description, two pressure generators 2 (2a and
2b) are provided in parallel to material hopper 1, which suck the
sulfur-containing material stored in material hopper 1, pull it out
into cylinder 11 heated to a temperature within the preset
temperature range, and push out the sulfur-containing material
pulled in cylinder 11 from cylinder 11 by applying the
predetermined pressure to the material. The present invention is
not limited to the arrangement, namely, only one pressure generator
may be provided for material hopper 1. In this case, the operation
of sucking the sulfur-containing material stored in material hopper
1 and pulling it out into cylinder 11 and the operation of pushing
the sulfur-containing material pulled in cylinder 11 from cylinder
11 under predetermined pressure cannot be executed alternately.
However, the basic operations can be similarly executed, and the
structure can be simplified.
[0079] In the above description, in order to heat each of material
hopper 1, cylinders 11a and 11b of pressure generators 2a and 2b,
injection hose 4, and mold 5 to a temperature within a preset
temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or above the
melting point of sulfur, heating means is provided for each of the
components thereof. However, the present invention is not limited
to the above, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is also possible to
surround the periphery of the components with box-shaped members
40, 41 and the like, and transmit heated air in the preset
temperature range (for example, about from 135 to 150.degree. C.)
by a heated air supplying apparatus such as a jet heater, to the
inside of each of the members 40, 41 and the like so as to increase
the atmospheric temperature in the members 40, 41 and the like to
the melting point (119.degree. C.) of sulfur or higher. In this
case, it is sufficient to only surround the periphery of each of
the components by the box-shaped member 40, 41 or the like.
Therefore, existing material hopper 1, cylinders 11a and 11b of
pressure generators 2a and 2b, injection hose 4, and mold 5 can be
used. Accordingly, it is also possible to shift to the producing of
the modified sulfur concrete substance according to the present
invention using an existing plant, so that increase in cost can be
suppressed.
[0080] Modified sulfur concrete substance products manufactured by
the modified sulfur concrete substance producing method and the
producing apparatus of the present invention can be used in various
industries and use fields. Examples of the products include a Hume
pipe, a pipe, a manhole, a propellant pipe, an oval pipe, a
segment, a box culvert, an U-shaped gutter, side gutter, a cover, a
three-sided water channel, a box, a sidewalk/road boundary block, a
curbstone, an L-shaped retaining wall, a flat plate, a fish bed
block, a fish bank, a wave dissipating block, a base block, and the
like.
[0081] It should also be understood that many modifications and
variations of the described embodiments of the invention will occur
to a person having an ordinary skill in the art without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed in
the appended claims.
* * * * *