Asphalt, which is also known as blacktop, is a special product that is used for creating smooth surfaces for parking lots and roads. It is created from a mix of sand, aggregates, filler and bitumen or tar. It is applied at a hot temperature as it hardens when it cools. Asphalt is prepared in a special plant and there two main types of plants, and read more here: http://asphaltmixingplants.net/.
In simple terms, an asphalt plant may be defined as a combination of various systems that work together to process the ingredients for producing asphalt. While the general working mechanism of all the plants is same, different manufacturers have different processes for their own plants.
The common features in a asphalt drum mix plant china include feeding system for filler and aggregate, heating system, elevator for hot aggregate, weighing system, stone dust collection system, mixing tower, electronic control system as well as storage for finished asphalt. As the name suggests, the feeding systems hold the ingredients for processing. Once the asphalt has been made, it is transferred to hot storage units for further use.
As far as inner working of plant is concerned, it is very simple to understand. There are a number of hopes in a plant that hold various materials such as filler, sand, aggregate and bitumen among others. There is a burning unit in the small asphalt plant sale and all these ingredients are fed directly into this burning unit.
These materials are heated at the required temperature in the burning unit and once the mixture is sufficiently hot, binding material is added. Filler such as stone dust help in filling the voids in the grains whereas bitumen plays the role of binding agent that keeps everything together. Filler helps in improving wear capabilities of asphalt and binding ensures that asphalt remains strong once it cools down.
Once the binding and filler has been added to the hot mixture, it is known as hot asphalt. This mix is delivered into small collector hopper or it can also be directly delivered to construction site. It is important to keep in mind that it is a real-time use product as it needs to be hot for it to be spread evenly. Asphalt can also be stored in silos that are maintained at hot temperatures with the help of electronically regulated systems to prevent solidification and cooling.
There are batch plants where produced asphalt in batches. Due to batch production, the volume is low. There are also continuous mix plants that can produce asphalt at a fast pace. The continuous mix plants are preferred for use at bigger projects.
Automation not only helps in increasing efficiency but also ensures fast processing. As mentioned above, these plants do not come cheap and therefore, it is important to buy good quality plant with high precision and good after sales service.