Method and apparatus for separation and volume measurement of components for lightweight concrete

A method for recycling components of lightweight concrete comprising the steps of:

• a) feeding lightweight concrete waste material into a separating means;
• b) separating the components of the waste material into coarse and fine components;
• c) conveying the coarse waste components to a first hopper;
• d) conveying water and cement to the first hopper;
• e) weighing the coarse waste components, water and cement;
• f) conveying water, cement, and the coarse waste components to a primary mixing chamber;
• g) conveying the fine waste components to a second hopper;
• h) measuring the volume of the fine waste components;
• i) conveying the fine waste components to the primary mixing chamber;
• j) mixing the coarse and fine waste components in the primary mixing chamber.

An apparatus for separating components of lightweight concrete waste material comprising:

• a) a first hopper;
• b) a second hopper;
• c) at least one sieve for separating the components of the waste material with into coarse and fine waste component;
• d) a means for conveying the coarse waste components to a first hopper;
• e) a means for measuring the volume of the coarse waste components;
• f) a means for conveying the fine waste components to a second hopper;
• g) a means for weighing the fine waste components.

An apparatus for recycling lightweight concrete waste materials comprising:

• a) a first hopper;
• b) a second hopper;
• c) a primary mixing chamber;
• d) a means for conveying lightweight concrete waste materials to a separating means;
• e) the separating means, wherein lightweight concrete waste materials are separated into coarse and fine components;
• f) a means for conveying the coarse components to the first hopper;
• g) a means for conveying water and cement to the first hopper;
• h) a weighing means for weighing the coarse components, water, and cement in the first hopper;
• i) a means for conveying the fine components to the second hopper;
• j) a means for measuring the volume of the fine components;
• k) a means for conveying water, cement, and the coarse components to the primary mixing chamber;
• l) a means for conveying the fine components to the primary mixing chamber;
• m) a means for mixing the coarse and fine waste components in the primary mixing chamber.