Pumping Aircrete overhead?
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@ach2oman Could you provide a link to an example of an diaphragm pump model that you think could work? I see so many models online with different specs that I don't know where to start.
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https://www.absolutewaterpumps.com/amt-gorman-rupp-gas-diaphragm-pump-335a-96-3-90-gpm-briggs-power
They are a little pricey but I have seen them on craigslist used much cheaper. I have never used one for aircrete application, but do know their capability working in the water and wastewater industry for 35 yrs. They can pump some pretty solid sludge. Aircrete is not as thick as some sludge that I have pumped. These pumps are bid workhorse.
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@ach2oman That's an interesting example you've provided. 90 gallons per minute! I'm assuming that 1.625 inch solid handling means it wont clog or jam even when rocks or other bits come in that are up to 1.625 inches. If that's true then this one could pump actual concrete with decent sized gravel. This thing would easily handle aircrete.
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@steve I'm watching this thread because I would also like to find a way of building walls with low equipment cost. But to do that effectively one would need a continuous low volume supply of 'crete.
But one concern is -
Does aircrete compress when poured in a form?
Could I take a "standard" 8' tall concrete form and pour aircrete into it and get a "good" wall?
I see videos of people cutting and stacking blocks for domes and Harrys attempted wall pour for a dome but have not seen 8' vertical walls poured.And a separate question is why does noone use a "standard" cement mixer?
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@gemniii Standard cement mixers are more expensive, heavy, and large, yet less effective than a hand held drill mixer. Standard concrete mixers are designed to mix sand (little hard bits) and gravel (larger hard bits) with cement and minimal water. Mixing very wet mud with foam instead of hard bits seems to require less torque, but more horse power or something like that.
Sounds like @Talyn71 has experience pouring molds up to 8' high (see post)
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@ach2oman Hi! domegaia recomends peristaltic, piston, and screw/(auger style) pumps, and NOT trash pumps. i think trash pumps and diaphram pumps will collapse the foam bubbles. click this link to domegaia Aircrete FAQ Page and scroll down to or search in page for the question "How far can AirCrete be pumped?"
or copy and paste link text below:
https://www.domegaia.com/aircrete-faqs.html
I know its an old post but hope this helps. im doing a monolithic flat roof pour in the near future.
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What about something like this?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=277977416466648&set=pcb.2334788203218532&type=3&ifg=1&tn=HH-R&eid=ARCekOEjt-M-eyrTqKGjV-RiKLMZjV0lycMrq31a1oNGsbLxGdxjmtiD_Inl5tU36_0OKO2UonNgrVBL
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While we haven't pumped vertically, we've successfully pumped horizontally by making our aircrete mixing container air-tight, then pressurizing the top with an air compressor so that the mix would flow through a hose attached at the bottom. Doing so seemed to have little effect on the foam, which set fine under the concrete slab we filled beneath.
