Often when using a concrete pump, your teams may need to point the end of the boom downward. In this position, gravity acts on the flow of the concrete and may cause irregular flow at high speeds inside the steel pipe. When the concrete accelerates within the pipe, it can slam forcefully into the back of the second-to-last elbow pipe on the boom. For this sensitive spot, we’ve developed a special ESSER IMPACT ELBOW with a reinforced wear layer in the back.
Frequently-Asked Questions
In a downward-facing concrete pumping boom, why is the second-to-last elbow pipe a weak point for fast-moving concrete?
The second-to last elbow in a downward-facing concrete pumping boom is particularly vulnerable to high-speed falling concrete. When the concrete moves downwards with great force, it hits the inner surface of the elbow. Components of the concrete, such as stones and sand, hit the back of the bend and cause severe impact wear. This results in faster degradation of the elbow material, thinning the wall on the outer radius over time and increasing the risk of leaks or sudden failures.
As an elbow requires a change of direction in the flow, the second-to-last elbow also experiences high frictional wear as the concrete mass is pressed along the outer radius of the bend. Togehter with the impact wear this causes this bend to fatigue earlier than other elbows in the pipeline. Without proper reinforcement, this section of the boom can become a weak link in the pipeline, leading to unplanned maintenance and even safety hazards.
Why is a reinforced wear layer on the second-to-last elbow able to improve performance on a downward-facing concrete boom?
A reinforced wear layer on the second-to-last elbow – as we have designed in the ESSER IMPACT ELBOW – provides additional shield against the abrasive impact of fast-falling concrete. In order to withstand the impact energy for as long as possible, this hardened layer is designed to be thicker, reducing the fast wear on the elbow’s primary structure. This reinforced wear layer significantly extends the service life of the elbow and minimizes the risk of unexpected failures.
The ESSER FALLBOW reduces stress within the system and makes pumping more efficient, safer, less maintenance-intensive and more reliable.
Curious about how the IMPACT ELBOW can help your operation? Contact us for a free consultation today.