Part of an endeavor to increase the sustainability and ‘green’ quotient of the concrete products industry, Kraft Energy Systems has engineered the first commercially available geothermal powered curing system. In Iceland, a precast producer — realizing the importance of utilizing a sustainable resource instead of fossil fuel — contacted Kraft Energy to engineer a geothermal energy system to fuel its curing process. The results of that project now offer what company officials contend is the promise of a sustainable power source for the industry, hence advancing the ecological progress achieved when the Kraft Energy Vapor Generator enabled accelerated curing of concrete mixed with supplementary cementitious materials.

Using geothermal power to cure precast panels and walls requires a heating and circulation system in conjunction with insulated curing chambers and doors. A natural hot spring produces 50 gallons of 212°F (100°C) water every second. As the water is shunted to a water-air heat exchanger, the curing chamber is supplied with 120°F (50°C) hot air. Consistent temperatures are thus provided 24 hours per day throughout the curing chamber, from top to bottom and front to back, for optimum accelerated curing of precast products.

The Iceland project was scheduled for completion in late 2007. Additional operational data will be available from Kraft Energy Systems during the Manufactured Concrete Products Expo, February 7-9, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. — www.kraftenergy.com