Astec, Inc.

Other

Greg Renegar

Michael Varner

Malcolm Leland Swanson

J Donald Brock

Andrew Muirhead Hobbs

Kevin Risley

Chase Walker

Earl Edwards, Jr

Mike Varner

Michael C Varner

Donald J Brock

An inner drum for use in a dryer/mixer in connection with the production of an aggregate-binder mix includes a plurality of mixing paddles disposed on the outer surface of the inner drum and arranged in a plurality of rows. The mixing paddles are configured to rotate through a mixing chamber as the inner drum rotates within an outer drum of the dryer/mixer to mix aggregate and binder together. Interstitial spaces are formed between rows of mixing paddles and material leads, where aggregate material preferentially travels as the inner drum is rotated, extend along the mixing chamber. At least one interstitial mixing paddle is located on the outer surface of the inner drum and in one of the interstitial spaces at one of the material leads. The interstitial mixing paddle rotates through the mixing chamber as the inner drum rotates to also mix the aggregate and binder together.

Reversed interstitial paddles

A method for producing an asphalt concrete blend that includes the steps of drying and heating aggregate in a single and only dryer, preferably via direct heating, and without use of a pre-dryer. The aggregate is then combined with asphalt cement, preferably via indirect heating, such that the blend has an asphalt cement components (ACC) percentage of at least 25% percent to form an aggregate mix. Liquid asphalt cement may also be added to the aggregate mix. Preferably, the asphalt cement content of the final asphalt concrete blend is provided by a maximum of 70% ACC. In certain cases, the asphalt cement content of the asphalt concrete blend is comprised of ACC and liquid asphalt cement.

Hi-recycle asphalt batch plant

A foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly is adapted for use in connection with a mixer for mixing aggregate materials and asphalt cement to make asphalt concrete. The foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly includes a foamed cement mixing chamber, a first inlet for liquid asphalt cement and a second inlet for water, each of which is in fluid communication with the foamed cement mixing chamber. An outlet for foamed asphalt cement is also provided, which outlet is in fluid communication with both the foamed cement mixing chamber and the mixer. The invention also comprises a method for making asphalt concrete using foamed asphalt cement. The method includes introducing aggregate materials into the mixer and heating the aggregate materials to a temperature at least as high as the boiling point of water but no higher than about 285&#xb0; F. The method also includes introducing liquid asphalt cement and the water to the foamed cement mixing chamber so as to produce foamed asphalt cement, and introducing foamed asphalt cement into the mixer and mixing it with aggregate materials at a temperature at least as high as the boiling point of water but no higher than about 285&#xb0; F. to produce asphalt concrete. The invention also includes an apparatus for making asphalt concrete which includes a foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly.

Method and apparatus for making asphalt concrete using foamed asphalt cement

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Ooltewah, TN, United States of America

Greg Renegar