Asphalt
is a primary ingredient for the building of roads, pavements, etc.
However, asphalt roads or pavements are not permanent and they weared
away with the passage of time owing to many factors. To recycle asphalts
to use it again, asphalt recycler machine is used. Asphalt recycling is
a process for rehabilitating deteriorated asphalt pavements.
Asphalt recycler machine is designed to crush asphalt and asphalt mixed
with rocks, into fine material. The material produced can be used as a
base before laying new asphalt or in some cases, as the top surface.
There are different variety of asphalt recyclers using different
techniques for heating asphalt which is important step in whole
recycling process.
Mechanical Operations
Asphalt recyclers consists of preheaters, a heater-miller and a
heater-mixer as the main unit along with paver, a rubber-tired roller
and a vibratory roller added to handle lay down and compaction. This
machinery recycles asphalt pavement in separate stages like preheating,
hot milling, heat and stir, pug mill mixing and compaction.
Heating is the most important aspect of whole process in which heated
air generated in a diesel-fueled combustion chamber and blown directly
and uniformly on the pavement. In the heater-mixer, a series of devices
is used to continuously mix and expose the loosened asphalt mixture to
the combination of hot air and infrared heat, thereby ensuring that the
recycled materials are thoroughly and uniformly heated. Final mixing
occurs in the pugmill.
In some asphalt recycling system new materials are added such as
recycling agents which can improve asphalt binder properties. Whereas in
some other recyclers, the asphalt tumbles in a rotating drum. It does
not grind the material but lifts and drops it through a stream of hot
air. The hot air is produced by a diesel fired burner mounted outside
the drum. The air bath from the burner is introduced into the drum
through a coned opening which shields the asphalt from coming in contact
with the burner flame.
Benefits of Recycling
Asphalt recycling incur lot of benefits like :
- Asphalt Recycling saves money and time.
- Create additional business opportunities.
- Save energy when recycling is done on site.
- Conserve diminishing resources of aggregates and petroleum
products.
