Method of priming a concrete pump

Abstract

The present invention is a method of priming a concrete placing system that provides improved coating and lubrication to the inner walls of a concrete placing system as it passes therethrough during priming. The method uses less water than conventional pump primers and can be used on all types of jobs, i.e., with line pumps, boom pumps, or high-rise pumping. The present invention provides a method of priming a concrete placing system having a foam priming port comprising the steps of connecting an outlet of a foam generator to an inlet of a foam priming port; operating the foam generator to generate a foam having a system lubricating agent; and filling the placing system with foam through the foam priming port. The method further comprises the step of closing the foam priming port utilizing a foam priming port shut-off valve or other isolation means well known in the art after the placing system has been filled with foam, or alternatively, when the placing system has been at least partially filled with foam. Additionally the present method provides the step of cleaning the foam priming port.

1 . A method of priming a concrete placing system comprising the step of introducing a foam into said placing system, wherein said foam contains a system lubricating agent. 
   
   
       2 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 1  further comprising the step of generating said foam using a foam generator. 
   
   
       3 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 1  further comprising the step of stopping the introduction of said foam after said concrete placing system has been filled with said foam. 
   
   
       4 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 1  further comprising the step of stopping the introduction of said foam after said concrete placing system has been partially filled with said foam. 
   
   
       5 . A method of priming a concrete placing system having a foam priming port comprising the steps of,
 a. connecting an outlet of a foam generator to said foam priming port;   b. operating said foam generator to generate a foam comprising a system lubricating agent,   c. filling said placing system with said foam through said foam priming port.   
   
   
       6 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 5  further comprising the step of closing said foam priming port when said placing system has been at least partially filled with foam. 
   
   
       7 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 5  further comprising the step of closing said foam priming port when said placing system has been filled with foam. 
   
   
       8 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 5  wherein said connecting step comprises the steps of connecting an inlet end of a foam delivery line to said outlet of said foam generator and connecting an outlet end of said foam delivery line to an inlet of said foam priming port. 
   
   
       9 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 6  wherein said foam priming port has a shut-off valve and said closing step comprises the step of manually closing said shut-off valve. 
   
   
       10 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 7  wherein said foam priming port has a shut-off valve and said closing step comprises the step of manually closing said shut-off valve. 
   
   
       11 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 6  wherein said foam priming port has a shut-off valve and means for automatically operating said shut-off valve and said closing step comprises the step of automatically closing said shut-off valve. 
   
   
       12 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 7  wherein said foam priming port has a shut-off valve and means for automatically operating said shut-off valve and said closing step comprises the step of automatically closing said shut-off valve. 
   
   
       13 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 6  further comprising the step of cleaning said foam priming port. 
   
   
       14 . A method of priming a concrete placing system as described in  claim 7  further comprising the step of cleaning said foam priming port.