Plan for Seasonal Production Shutdown

With the November edition of AsphaltPro, we turn our product gallery to the production side of the industry. It’s probably time to prepare for seasonal shut-down where you’re located, which means looking at the books, at the yard, at worn components, at upgrade opportunities and at all the areas where you can make enhancements for next year’s highest efficiency.

Asphalt Drum Mixers Inc.

Asphalt Drum Mixers Inc., Huntertown, Indiana, released the latest version of the EX120 asphalt plant in 2017. The EX120 asphalt plant is a solution for producers who need a portable counterflow plant that can process high percentages of RAP. Featuring single-drum counterflow technology, the compact 120-TPH EX Series plant meets all federal and state emission regulations, according to the manufacturer.

Similar to ADM’s SPL Series asphalt plants, engineers designed the EX Series for smaller output and optimal transport. The entire EX120 plant sits on one chassis for easy movement from site to site. This makes it ideal for remote and demanding locations worldwide. In addition, one plant operator and one loader operator can control the EX120. Find specs here.

For more information, contact Carlos Cardenas or Jeff Dunne at (260) 637-5729 or sales@admasphaltplants.com

Ammann

The Ammann ABP HRT (High Recycling Technology) asphalt-mixing plant is designed for asphalt manufacturers who need to incorporate large proportions of recycled asphalt (RAP) without sacrificing production capacity and quality. The HRT is a “2-in-1” plant, featuring both a warm and cold recycling system that can be used simultaneously. The plant became available in the North American market about a year ago. It is manufactured by Ammann, a family owned, Swiss-based company.

There are two warm recycling systems to choose from: A conventional concurrent flow dryer for RAP additions of up to 60 percent; and the RAH100, from which 100 percent recycled materials can be used. Foamed bitumen, pigments and other additives can be used.
The most striking visual difference between the HRT and traditional plants is the vertical stacking of the RAP-bearing components. This configuration is designed to reduce wear and sticking and shortens the travel distance of hot RAP material.

Astec Inc.

Astec Inc., Chattanooga, offers the Double Barrel Drum. The Double Barrel dryer/drum mixer combines the latest in hot and warm-mix technology with other Astec features. It is designed to offer productivity and top-quality mixes, while keeping operating costs per ton of mix low and meeting the most stringent environmental codes. It comes in relocatable and portable versions. Find specs here.

For more information, call (423) 867-4210.

B & S Light Industries Inc.

B & S Light Industries Inc., Claremore (Tulsa), Oklahoma, first introduced Ez-Blend continuous mix asphalt plant blend control in 1992. Ez-Blend continues to be completely “in house” designed. Ez-Blend has been continuously updated to keep up with the most challenging mix requirements and conditions as well as the largest and most complex plants in our ever changing industry. Also important to note is that we have always been careful to specifically re-design, when necessary, to provide direct system-to-system replacement components and plant-to-plant familiarity throughout these 26 years.

Our most modern Ez-Blend components will work in the first system sold. For example, while many critical parts in our Printed Circuit Boards have changed over the years and required re-design, we prioritized exact drop-in familiarity and function to facilitate system repair speed and ease, regardless of the system’s vintage.

In 2000 we added a fully automatic integrated touch screen Start-Stop control option, which included multiple silo control, as an inexpensive plug-in for any new or existing Ez-Blend system.

In 2016 we added a fiber optic data link option to prevent electrical noise interference in difficult plant environments. This also is an inexpensive plug-in for any new or existing Ez-Blend system.

We are proud of our uninterrupted system support for each and every Ez-Blend sold. We value our customers, understand the importance of plant uptime, and appreciate the continued loyalty to us and our products.

Find specs here.

For more information, contact Mike Young at (918) 342-1181 or mike@bslight.com.

Butler-Justice

The technology of the patented Blue Smoke Control collectors from Butler-Justice Inc., Anaheim, California, captures blue smoke from key emission points in the asphalt production process, including 1) top of silos, 2) conveyor transfer points and 3) truck load out areas. The system concentrates and coalesces airborne oil droplets into a liquid form that is readily filtered and removed. Blue Smoke Control systems are readily incorporated into both new plant design/construction and existing hot mix asphalt operations.

Blue Smoke Control introduced a new technology in late 2017 that targets the removal of odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from asphalt storage tanks. This system, named X-VOCS™, uses multiple stages of advanced filtration to remove invisible emissions.

For more information, contact Mike Butler at (562) 762-5116 or mikeb@butlerjustice.com.

Chemtek Inc.

Chemtek Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina, introduced the NeSilex Silica Dust Suppressant March 2018 to be added to any existing water system to help control dust on site. NeSilex was formulated specifically to reduce worker exposure to respirable silica dust. It contains specially formulated surfactants, wetting and agglomerating agents, which greatly improve water’s ability to control silica dust, according to the manufacturer. Find specs here.

For more information, contact David Rigsbee at (888) 998-1557 or david@chemtek.ussales@nosilicadust.com.

Conveyor Components Company

Conveyor Components Company, Croswell, Michigan, has now added a cantilevered brush style conveyor belt cleaner to its product line. The Model BRC is designed to remove fines and carry-back material from a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt cleaner uses an electric motor to drive a helical shaped, open face brush to remove build-up from conveyor belts. The mounting flange allows for chute installation, or the unit can be installed on the conveyor framework. When it’s mounted under the head pulley, excess material is thrown into the discharge stream.

For more information, contact the sales department at (800) 233-3233 or info@conveyorcomponents.com.

Dillman

The UniDrum mixer is a heavy-duty drum designed to generate high quality mix. The Dillman UniDrum is a counterflow design, with a range of production capacities from 200 to 600 tons per hour (182 to 544 tonnes per hour) with 5 percent moisture. With an extra-long drum, the Dillman UniDrum mixer is designed to produce quality hot mix at a high production rate with a high percentage of recycle. The extra-long drum length maximizes mixing and drying times to reduce fuel consumption and provide superior mixing. Find specs here.

For more information, call (423) 867-4210.

E Instruments

The VOC Plus hand-held emissions analyzer from E Instruments International, Langhorne, Pennsylvania, includes rea-time continuous data logging with VOC measurement with PID sensor. The operator can select the 0 to 20 ppm or 0 to 200 ppm VOC measuring range. It has a continuous active internal sampling pump and condensation trap with particulate filter. It features internal data storage of up to 2,000 tests, according to the manufacturer.

For more information, contact, bfreed@E-Inst.com.

Gencor Industries

Gencor Industries, Orlando, updated its Portable Ultradrum in 2017 “with crane less ductwork for drum to baghouse.” It is the heart of the Gencor’s Portable Ultraplant™, built around patented counterflow Ultradrum™ technology.

The isolated mixing section is located behind the burner to prevent liquid asphalt coming in contact with the burner flame. This means there is no oxidation of the asphalt, no degradation of the mix, and no asphalt vapors entering the exhaust gas stream. Vapors generated in the mixing section are pulled through the burner by a patented volatile system and consumed as fuel.

Features:
• Patented adjustable 5-way veiling flights
• Patented combustion T-flights
• Sweeping material inlet flights
• Self-cleaning RAP inlet allows up to 50 percent RAP
• Larger drum diameter reduces air velocity and dust carry-out
• Friction driven trunnion rolls
• Positive volatile reclaim system captures and destroys hydrocarbons
• Drum erection skids- no foundation required
• Hydraulic erection cylinders quick-disconnect plug wiring
• Two-speed landing gear
• Fifth wheel pin

Find specs here.

For more information, contact (407) 290-6000 or sales@gencor.com.

Hotmix Parts

Hotmix Parts/Stansteel, Louisville, Kentucky, introduces the Tank Tracker so you can instantly know the percent full, gallons or tons of asphalt in your AC tanks and tons of mix in your silo via your smartphone.

With several of the newest technology developments in non-contact sensor measurements with the Accu-Level Sensors, Stansteel and Hotmix Parts have developed the electronic technology to measure the amounts of material in your tanks and silos, whether vertical or horizontal AC tanks and hot-mix silos of all diameters and cone configurations. The ability to fill these devices to the maximum level without overflow or plugging up all the equipment behind them allows the plant to operate better and maximizes the use of all the equipment. In the Tank Tracker Management Systems, the valves, pumps and switching can be controlled to automatically fill and select the right tank or transfer liquids within the tank farm system. The basic units handle up to four AC tanks and three silos and can be expanded to monitor up to 16 AC tanks and 10 silos.

Features:
• Load the right AC in the right tank
• Monitor/manage solids and liquids
• Stop overflow of tanks
• Know your tank or silo level within a few gallons or 0.1 percent
• Help manage your inbound tankers and outbound trucks and know inventory at all times
• Safer for plant personnel and removes one more difficult/hazardous task
• Real time status of your hot oil heater
• Management and supervisors can monitor the level and temperature from any smartphone

Find specs on www.hotmixparts.com or www.stansteel.com.

For more information, contact Hotmix Parts/Stansteel at 1-800-826-0223.

John Deere

John Deere, Moline, Illinois, now offers an extended coverage of five years/15,000 hours as part of its articulated dump truck (ADT) transmission warranty on all new E-Series models. Eligible machines include new E-Series models (260E, 310E, 370E, 410E or 460E) built on or after Jan. 1, 2017, and purchased prior to Dec. 31, 2019.

For more information, visit www.JohnDeere.com.

KPI

KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens introduce the portable ProSizer® 3600, which is a single-load crushing plant for processing virgin aggregate and recycled materials. Its 36-inch x 46-inch horizontal shaft impactor can be paired with a conventional or high frequency screen. This crushing plant can be powered by diesel, electric or hybrid power. The hydraulic drive allows for variable rotor speed without loss of power, providing up to 25 percent more production over clutch-driven units, according to the manufacturer.

This plant was designed with maintenance in mind, making equipment sustainable, even in dirty environments like recycled asphalt pavement processing. Astec Mobile Screens’ ProSizer 3600 also features a robust design, equipped with an I-beam frame, heavy-duty axles and AR-lined chutes.

An additional swing-out conveyor, with optional remote control has been added to the machine, giving producers the ability to make a third, stockpiled product. The conveyor can also be used to remove waste material that is caught in the circuit. Find specs here.

For more information, contact Patrick Reaver at preaver@astecmobilescreens.com.

LASTRADA Partners

LASTRADA Partners, El Dorado Hills, California, has released the updated version of Construction Materials Quality Control Software in August 2018, with new releases every two months. LASTRADA™ software is designed to help producers reduce cost and improve quality, offering industry standard software for quality control of hot-mix asphalt (HMA), aggregate and asphalt binders. LASTRADA automates quality control processes by integrating aggregate production control, HMA production control, HMA mix design, and asphalt binder quality control into a single quality process. Test results are passed between these modules in a way that presents a clear simple view of all factors affecting HMA quality to the decision makers at an asphalt plant. Find specs here.

For more information, contact Dan Ridolfi, PE, at (855) 747-8265 or dan@lastradapartners.com.

Libra Systems Inc.

Libra Systems Inc., Harleysville, Pennsylvania, is releasing the next generation Silo Safety System Nov. 1, 2018, for the asphalt plant. The next generation of Libra’s Silo Safety System, is designed to guard against dangerous and expensive accidents at an asphalt plant.

Both the legacy and new system provide these important functions, according to the manufacturer:
• Reduces the possibility of opening the wrong silo
• Independent of, and compatible with, existing automation and manual switches; it blocks attempts to open the wrong silo
• No operator interaction normally needed – it’s always on guard
Additional features offered by the next generation system include:
• Fully graphic screen
• Automatically detects space between cab and trailer
• Auto-alerts for potentially defective sensors
• Pedestal or panel-mount options
• Configurable for any number of silos

Find specs here.

For more information, contact Greg Fleisch at (215) 256-1700 x123 or gfleisch@librasystems.com

Meeker Equipment Co.

Meeker Equipment Co. Inc., Belleville, Pennsylvania, offers the Meeker hot mix storage silos and heavy duty drag slat conveyors. The system conveys hot-mix asphalt to storage silos and holds it for truck loadout. Meeker silos feature recessed wall liners to allow smooth surface from top to bottom of silo.

Meeker drag slat conveyors use split return rollers, Ni-Hard cast floors, 6-inch pitch chain, electric or hot oil heat, and drag conveyors are constructed with a camber. Find specs here.

For more information, contact Derek Garrett at (267) 446-4167 or DerekGarrett@meekerequipment.com.

Process Heating Company

Process Heating Company (PHCo), Seattle, fully released the PHCo Lo-Density® All-in-One Heater Kit in 2016. The All-In-One Heater Kit is a complete system designed to provide direct heat to the asphalt tank, while also supplying hot oil for the plant. The primary feature of the system is the drywell-style electric heating elements that provide and maintain heat to keep liquid asphalt cement (AC) at the desired temperature. At the same time, the system circulates oil through scavenger coils and thermostat-controlled electric booster heating elements to provide hot oil to heat jacketed lines, pumps and valves, drags, silo cones, and other plant components. The scavenger coils allow for quick heat, while the booster coils sustain it for pinpointed locations. Booster elements also can elevate the oil temperatures above the controlled asphalt storage temperature, if higher-temperature hot oil is required. The system is designed to provide 100 percent efficient heat over its lifetime (often 30 years or more), as it reduces emissions and the associated need for stack permits at the plant, according to the manufacturer. Because the elements are accessible from outside of the system, they may be serviced without draining the tank. Find specs here.

For more information, contact Rick Jay at (866) 682-1582 or info@processheating.com.

Pine Test Equipment Inc.

The Rotary Asphalt Wheel Tester (RAWT) by Pine Test Equipment Inc. was designed to determine the rutting performance of all HMA mix types. The accuracy and predictability of this accelerated test method remained ambiguous until the City of Los Angeles shared the results of 14 years of use and 15,000+ SGC rut wheel tests of many different HMA mix types. Now an integral part of the City of LA’s Pavement Preservation program, the results were featured in the September 2016 edition of AsphaltPro. Independent research conducted by Dr. Hussain Bahia of the Modified Asphalt Research Center (University of Wisconsin Madison) on the speed, accuracy and repeatability of the new rutting test method was presented at the June 2018 ASTM meeting in San Diego. The short test time allows for expedited quality control and acceptance.

For more information, contact Dave Savage at (724) 458-6393.

TransTech Systems Inc.

The flagship product from TransTech Systems Inc., Latham, New York, the Pavement Quality Indicator (PQI), is what put the company on the map in 1998. The PQI is the non-nuclear pavement density gauge offering precise pavement density and moisture measurement in 3 seconds, according to the manufacturer. With the PQI, you don’t have the hassle of regulatory training and certifications. There is no radiation threat with the product, which means after a day of work just place it in your truck and you’re done.

For more information, call (800) 724-6306 or visit www.transtechsys.com.

Troxler Electronic Laboratories Inc.

Troxler Electronic Laboratories Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, released the Moisture Measurement System (MMS™) (Model 3630) May 2017. The MMS is mounted on the virgin aggregate conveyor belt after the shaker. It’s a real-time method of moisture measurement for quality-oriented asphalt plants, providing moisture content through a noncontact “scan” of combined virgin aggregate. This helps plants more precisely control binder addition, resulting in cost savings and a better-quality product. It also allows operators to better manage the burner temperature during drying to enhance product quality and save energy/reduce emissions.

The MMS measures virgin aggregate on an inclined conveyor belt and provides a continuous moisture content reading. Measurements are displayed in a plant’s control room or transmitted to its control system. This data, when used in conjunction with weigh bridge data, allows the plant to make asphalt more like the mix design than ever before, according to the manufacturer. Find specs here.

For more information, contact Miguel DeJesus at (919) 719-1836 or mdejesus@troxlerlabs.com.