Composition for and Method of Pumping Concrete

Abstract

A composition for and a method of promoting the flow of a concrete slurry through a conduit is provided. The composition is preferably a liquid polymer mixture including water and polyacrylamide polymers. The composition, when mixed with a suitable quantity of water, is useful, in a method of priming a pump, and in pumping concrete slurry, and improves the flow of the slurry through a conduit.

1 . A priming and lubricating composition for a concrete pump comprising a water-soluble, non-particulate, liquid polymeric material that, when mixed with a quantity of water sufficient to solvate the polymeric material, forms a substantially neutral solution that is useful to lubricate a concrete pump and delivery conduit and improve the fluid characteristics of a concrete slurry delivered through the concrete pump. 
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is selected from a group consisting of polyacrylamide, copolymers of polyacrylamide and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solution is created by mixing approximately two to four ounces of polymeric material with three to five gallons of water. 
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is vended in two to four ounce containers for delivery to a job site at which the concrete pump is located. 
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially neutral solution has a pH range between six and nine.