Pre-aggregate drying method and energy efficient asphalt plant
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of making hot mix asphalt comprising the steps of:
- providing an asphalt mixer;
providing a supply of aggregate material;
providing an aggregate material storage structure which is configured for enclosing and containing a first quantity of aggregate material and protecting said first quantity of aggregate material from atmospheric precipitation and further causing air to flow through the first quantity of aggregate material for the purpose of drying said first quantity of aggregate material with mechanically propelled air; and
causing said first quantity of aggregate material to move from said structure into said asphalt mixer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An HMA plant which uses incidental heating of metal surfaces in combination with hot exhaust gases to pre-heat and pre-dry virgin aggregate material contained in an enclosed container which permits hot dry air to pass through interstices in the virgin aggregate material stored in the container.
93 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of making hot mix asphalt comprising the steps of:
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providing an asphalt mixer; providing a supply of aggregate material; providing an aggregate material storage structure which is configured for enclosing and containing a first quantity of aggregate material and protecting said first quantity of aggregate material from atmospheric precipitation and further causing air to flow through the first quantity of aggregate material for the purpose of drying said first quantity of aggregate material with mechanically propelled air; and causing said first quantity of aggregate material to move from said structure into said asphalt mixer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of making hot mix asphalt comprising the steps of:
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providing an asphalt mixer; providing a supply of aggregate material; providing an aggregate material storage structure which is configured for enclosing and containing aggregate material and protecting said aggregate material from atmospheric precipitation and further causing air to flow through the aggregate material for the purpose of drying said aggregate material with artificially propelled air; causing said aggregate material to move from said structure into said asphalt mixer; reclaiming heat from a heated metal object and using reclaimed heat for heating air which flows into the structure and through the aggregate material; wherein the heated metal object is incidentally heated; and providing a heat exchanger where exhaust fumes emitted from the asphalt mixer are used to further heat air which was earlier heated by an incidentally heated metal object. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A method of making hot mix asphalt comprising the steps of:
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providing an asphalt mixer; providing a supply of aggregate material; providing a structure configured for enclosing and containing aggregate material in a substantially stationary arrangement and protecting said aggregate material from precipitation and further causing air to flow through the aggregate material, while said aggregate material is in said substantially stationary arrangement, and for the purpose of drying said aggregate material with artificially heated and propelled atmospheric air; and causing said aggregate material to move from said structure into said asphalt mixer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method of making hot mix asphalt comprising the steps of:
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providing an asphalt mixer; providing a supply of aggregate material; providing a structure configured for enclosing and containing aggregate material in a substantially stationary arrangement and protecting said aggregate material from precipitation and further causing air to flow through the aggregate material for the purpose of drying said aggregate material with artificially heated and propelled atmospheric air; causing said aggregate material to move from said structure into said asphalt mixer; reclaiming heat from a heated metal object and using reclaimed heat for artificially heating air which is propelled into the structure and blown through interstices in the aggregate material; and wherein the heated metal object is incidentally heated; providing a heat exchanger where corrosive exhaust fumes emitted from the asphalt mixer are used to further heat air which was earlier heated by an incidentally heated metal object. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of making asphalt comprising the steps:
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Providing a first airstream of moist heated air at a first location, Using a fan to move said airstream to a heat exchanger; Said heat exchanger giving up reclaimed heat energy as said moist heated air cools and condenses in said heat exchanger; Transferring said reclaimed heat energy to a second location, via a second airstream;
which is not in fluid communication with said first airstream;At said second location, And before both entering a mixer and outside of any mixer, causing said second airstream to flow into a structure and through aggregate material to produce heated aggregate material; and using the heated aggregate material to make asphalt. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification