Abstract: An apparatus for continuously blending a viscous liquid, such as hot asphalt, with particulate solids, such as ground rubber, includes a vertical cylindrical tank in which is disposed a smaller vertical vessel defining therein a blending chamber. Open lower side regions of the vessel feed the blended slurry to a holding chamber defined between the vessel and tank. A shaft rotatably mounted through the blending chamber has fixed thereto a blending disc and two hollow blending cones coaxially mounted on opposite sides of the disc to form two shear-type blending regions. Hydraulically driven pumps and motors feed the viscous liquid and solids to the blending chamber, rotate the blender shaft and withdraw slurry from the holding region for use. Hydraulic flow control valves enable selectively variable feeding, blending and slurry discharge rates. The relative feed rates of the liquid and solids are preferably continuously monitored to assure the desired liquid/solid blend ratio.

Abstract: A concrete production apparatus produces concrete within a selected temperature range. Ground water is circulated through a heat exchanger in the apparatus to provide a heat source or a heat dump. Concrete water is circulated through another heat exchanger and is heated or cooled to a predetermined temperature. The concrete water at the predetermined temperature is mixed with cement and aggregate to produce a concrete mix within the selected temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing an additive with molten paving material and for application of the resultant paving composition. The apparatus includes a mixing mechanism in heat transfer relationship with a heated materials tank for recirculatingly moving molten asphalt from the materials tank through the mixing mechanism and back to the materials tank with the additive being added and mixed with the recirculating molten paving material for production of the resulting paving composition which is subsequently supplied from the heated materials tank to an applicator device of the apparatus.

Abstract: A bituminous binder for asphalt road coverings is prepared by homogenizing a blend of bitumen and polyethylene and/or polypropylene in a heated mixing vessel while stirring the blend and melting and dissolving the polyolefin in the bitumen. The blend is heated to a temperature between 260.degree. C. and 310.degree. C. and subjected to forceful mixing under a high shearing force. The homogenization is continued until the polyolefin has been degraded and the viscosity of the homogenized blend has been reduced below the viscosity reduction attendant upon the mere heating of the blend at this temperature.

Abstract: Worm extruder assembly includes an extruder worm, a steam dome formed as a cylindrical tube disposed transversely to the worm axis, a condenser surrounding the cylindrical tube, a steam outlet line extending from the steam dome to the condenser, and means defining an annular gap connecting the condenser to the cylindrical tube.

Abstract: A self-contained mechanism for the preparation handling and application of liquified materials such as coating compounds, joint sealers, crack fillers, waterproofing compounds and the like, is provided with an especially configured materials tank having primary and secondary materials heating devices and a unique engine driven hydraulic system which allows reversible and variable speed operation of the materials mixing, delivery, and cleanout devices and systems.

Abstract: Drum mix asphalt plant apparatus connected to a fiber filter dust collector for removing dust and other light particulate matter produced by operation of the drum mixer. Asphalt material is added to the drum mixer in a manner to minimize smoking of the asphalt material due to high temperature within the mixer, and the resulting dust and other fine particulate matter evolved from aggregate material within the drum mixer is withdrawn and collected in a fiber filter dust collector system such as a baghouse. The collected dust is returned to the drum mixer to be coated with asphalt material therein, so that the returned dust becomes admixed with the asphalt aggregate contents of the drum mixer.