MULTIPLE-ENTRY HOT-MIX ASPHALT MANUFACTURING SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A hot-mix asphalt manufacturing system for recycled asphalt coated aggregate (RAP) has a rotary dryer and burner operable to heat the dryer to create a maximum gas temperature at a location between first and second ends of the dryer. A first inlet is upstream and a second inlet is downstream of the maximum temperature. A first coarse aggregate is introduced through the first inlet, fine RAP is introduced through the second inlet, and the aggregates are heated and mixed forming a mixture outputted at an outlet. For 100% RAP processes, the first and second aggregates can consist of RAP. For less than 100% RAP processes, virgin aggregate can be introduced through the first inlet, located adjacent the first end of the rotary dryer, and a third inlet can be located between the maximum temperature and the first inlet, with fine and coarse RAP introduced through the second and third inlets.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing asphalt using recycled asphalt coated aggregate (RAP), comprising:
providing a rotary dryer having
a first end and a second end, and a material stream flow toward the second end;a burner operable to heat the rotary dryer and material therein, and to create a maximum gas temperature inside a volume of the rotary dryer at a location between the first and second ends,a first inlet upstream of the location of the maximum temperature,a second inlet downstream of the location of the maximum temperature, andan outlet adjacent the second end of the rotary dryer; selecting a first aggregate and a second aggregate, the first aggregate being at least primarily coarse aggregate and the second aggregate being at least primarily fine RAP; operating the rotary dryer and during the operation
introducing the first aggregate into the rotary dryer at the first inlet,introducing the second aggregate into the rotary dryer at the second inlet, andheating and mixing the first and second aggregates forming a mixture; and outputting the mixture from the rotary dryer at the outlet.