| Adding recycled material to the batch heater |
It was thought that adding asphalt to the mixing process at this coating plant would require expensive equipment and would create high levels of steam when the cold, wet material was added to the hot process. The steam that was produced in other plants occurred because of the addition of recycled asphalt product (RAP) directly into the mixer. As well as steam, it left a by-product of sludge.
RAP is now added to the process after the heating and drying process, but before mixing. Not only does this reduce levels of steam, but it also has the environmental benefit of re-using the aggregates and hydrocarbons from a time-served material.
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