Abstract: A combination of components is provided for use in making asphalt concrete from a plurality of aggregate material streams. The combination includes an indirect dryer for heating aggregate material from a first material stream without directly exposing said first stream material to hot gases of combustion. The combination also includes a mixer for mixing aggregate material from the first material stream, aggregate material that has not been heated in the indirect dryer from a second material stream, and a binder component to produce asphalt concrete.

Abstract: An assembly for processing green biomass materials from two separate feed sources for use as a fuel pellet includes a drying assembly, a torrefaction assembly and a heating assembly. The drying assembly is adapted to convert the green biomass material obtained from a first source to white biomass material. The torrefaction assembly is adapted to convert green biomass material obtained from a second source to torrefied biomass material. The heating assembly provides heat for both the drying assembly and the torrefaction assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for processing green biomass material for pelletizing into a fuel pellet includes a heating assembly, a drying assembly and a cooling assembly. The heating assembly heats a thermal fluid to a temperature within the range of 200° F. to 550° F. The drying assembly includes a rotating dryer drum that has a plurality of thermal fluid tubes therein. Material that is dried in the dryer drum is conveyed to a rotating cooling drum that has a cooling tube extending along the interior thereof. A nozzle is mounted on the end of the cooling tube to discharge cooling fluid on the material therein, and a plurality of flights are mounted on the interior of the cooling drum and arranged to direct material from the inlet to the discharge outlet as the cooling drum is rotated.

Abstract: A concrete plant comprising an aggregate feed bin adapted to hold and release aggregate materials, a feed conveyor adapted to receive the aggregate materials from the aggregate feed bin, a collecting belt conveyor adapted to receive the aggregate materials from the feed conveyor, a silo assembly adapted to hold and release components of concrete, a screw conveyor adapted to receive the components of concrete from the silo assembly and convey the components of concrete to the collecting belt conveyor, and a mixer adapted to receive the aggregate materials and components of concrete from the collecting belt conveyor and mix the aggregate materials and components of concrete with water. The amount of aggregate materials received by the collecting belt conveyor from the conveyor and the amount of concrete components received by the collecting belt conveyor from the conveyor are precisely and accurately controlled.

Abstract: A combination of components is provided for use in making asphalt concrete from a plurality of aggregate material streams. The combination includes an indirect dryer for heating aggregate material from a first material stream without directly exposing said first stream material to hot gases of combustion. The combination also includes a mixer for mixing aggregate material from the first material stream, aggregate material that has not been heated in the indirect dryer from a second material stream, and a binder component to produce asphalt concrete.

Abstract: An assembly for processing green biomass materials from two separate feed sources for use as a fuel pellet includes a drying assembly, a torrefaction assembly and a heating assembly. The drying assembly is adapted to convert the green biomass material obtained from a first source to white biomass material. The torrefaction assembly is adapted to convert green biomass material obtained from a second source to torrefied biomass material. The heating assembly provides heat for both the drying assembly and the torrefaction assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for processing green biomass material for pelletizing into a fuel pellet includes a heating assembly, a drying assembly and a cooling assembly. The heating assembly heats a thermal fluid to a temperature within the range of 200° F. to 550° F. The drying assembly includes a rotating dryer drum that has a plurality of thermal fluid tubes therein. Material that is dried in the dryer drum is conveyed to a rotating cooling drum that has a cooling tube extending along the interior thereof. A nozzle is mounted on the end of the cooling tube to discharge cooling fluid on the material therein, and a plurality of flights are mounted on the interior of the cooling drum and arranged to direct material from the inlet to the discharge outlet as the cooling drum is rotated.

Abstract: 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° F.

Abstract: A portable telescoping stacking conveyor for stockpiling bulk particulate materials includes a primary conveyor frame, a secondary conveyor frame, an undercarriage and a base frame having a king pin for engagement with a tow vehicle. The front end of the primary conveyor frame is pivotally mounted to the base frame. The secondary conveyor frame of the portable telescoping stacking conveyor has a left secondary top chord and a right secondary top chord. The secondary conveyor frame is receivable by the primary conveyor frame and moveable with respect thereto between a retracted position and an extended position. The primary conveyor frame is arranged, configured and adapted to support the secondary conveyor frame only by supporting the left secondary top chord and the right secondary top chord.

Abstract: 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° F.

Abstract: An asphalt production plant includes an asphalt binder storage tank, a mixer for mixing asphalt binder and aggregate materials, an asphalt binder pumping system for conveying asphalt binder to the mixer and an asphalt binder metering system for controlling the rate of flow of asphalt binder to the mixer. The asphalt production plant also includes a cold feed proportioning system having a plurality of cold feed bins for holding aggregate materials, with each such bin having a discharge opening through which aggregate materials may be discharged, a cold feed conveyor system that extends from beneath the discharge openings for the plurality of bins for conveying aggregate materials to the mixer and an apparatus and system for adjusting the relative proportions of aggregate materials from each of the cold feed bins that are conveyed to the mixer.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a first item of equipment for processing materials in connection with the production of a product which includes aggregate materials and a volatile component includes an oven, a gradation assembly having a plurality of screens, and a mechanism for transporting aggregate materials from the oven to the gradation assembly. The system also includes a mechanism for controlling the operation of an item of equipment if one or more of the ratios of the weight of the aggregate materials that are retained on any of the screens or that pass through all of the screens to the total weight of the aggregate materials fails to meet a predetermined standard. A preferred embodiment of the system also includes a mechanism for controlling the operation of a second item of equipment for combining asphalt cement and aggregate materials if the ratio of the weight of the asphalt cement in a sample of the product to the total weight of the sample fails to meet a predetermined standard.

Abstract: A sample collector for aggregate material is provided. The collector includes a support frame having a first end and a second end. A pair of guide plates are attached to the first end of the support frame. These guide plates are spaced apart so as to define a collection space therebetween. At least one of the guide plates is provided with a track that extends generally along the periphery of the collection space. A flexible closing plate is disposed between the guide plates and is adapted for sliding engagement with the track, so that the closing plate may be moved between an open position which exposes the collection space and a closed position which encloses the collection space. A mechanism is also provided for sliding the closing plate between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A sample collector for aggregate material is provided. The collector includes a collector frame having a probe that is shaped so as to be insertable along a defined axis into a quantity of aggregate material. The collector also includes a plurality of elongate support rods. The first end of each rod is attached to the probe, and a seat is provided to which the second end of each of the support rods is attached. Each rod is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the axis, and the rods are spaced apart from each other so as to define a collection space. The collector also includes a sleeve which is adapted to slide over the collector frame between an open position which exposes the collection space and a closed position which encloses the collection space. A sliding mechanism is also provided for sliding the sleeve over the collector frame between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating and drying stone aggregate used in the production of asphalt, which also remediates and disposes of contaminated soil. Aggregate is introduced into a drum chamber of a fixed sleeve rotary drum mixer for heating. The aggregate is discharged into an annular chamber and mixed with contaminated soil that has been processed to be suitable for use in asphalt. As the soil is heated, the contaminants are vaporized and drawn into the drum chamber where they are oxidized by high temperature. Secondary aggregate in the form of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and/or virgin aggregate are also added to the annular chamber and mixed with the aggregate and soil to form asphalt and to cool the aggregate/soil mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and conveying a granular material is disclosed, and which comprises an elongate trough, and a framework mounting a plurality of transverse blades mounted above the trough. The framework is moved along a closed path of travel so that the blades move through a forward stroke, a lifting stroke, a return stroke, and a downward stroke which returns the blades to their original position. Thus a granular material may be moved along the length of the trough in a series of sequential steps. Also, the blades are internally heated, and the bottom wall of the trough is also heated, to effect heating of the advancing granular material.

Abstract: A drum mixer which is useful in the continuous production of asphalt paving composition. The mixer includes a hollow drum which is mounted for rotation about an inclined axis, and the aggregate is introduced into the upper end of the drum so that as the drum rotates, the aggregate cascades through the interior of the drum and moves toward a discharge outlet at the lower end of the drum. A burner is mounted adjacent one end of the drum so that a heated gas passes through cascading aggregate. To permit the temperature of the exhaust gas to be maintained within acceptable limits so as to avoid detrimental effects to a downstream filtering baghouse, a gas flow bypass system is mounted in the downstream end portion of the drum.

Abstract: A drum mixer is disclosed which is useful in the continuous production of asphalt paving composition. The mixer includes a hollow drum which is mounted for rotation about an inclined axis, and the aggregate is introduced into the upper end of the drum so that the drum rotates, the aggregate cascades through the interior of the drum and moves toward a discharge outlet at the lower end of the drum. A burner is mounted adjacent one end of the drum so that a heated gas passes through cascading aggregate. To permit the temperature of the exhaust gas to be maintained within acceptable limits so as to avoid detrimental effects to a downstream filtering baghouse, there is provided a gas flow bypass tube which is mounted coaxially within the drum. The tube may be selectively opened and closed, and upon opening the bypass tube, a portion of the heated gas is able to pass freely through a portion of the length of the drum and to the exhaust duct, without passing through the cascading aggregate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing asphaltic mix for roadway use is disclosed, and which comprises a primary plant which is designed to be located remote from the point of use, and a separate satellite plant which is designed to be located relatively close to the point of use. The primary plant heats and dries the stone aggregate, segregates the aggregate by size, and mixes the aggregate with a small amount of liquid asphalt so as to suppress the dust. The resulting pre-mixed product of the primary plant is then transported by truck to the satellite plant, where it is stored and then mixed with a further quantity of liquid asphalt to render the mix suitable for roadway use. The primary plant performs the functions which require substantial equipment and space, and which have the more significant environmental impact, whereas the satellite plant may be relatively small and inexpensive, and its operation makes no significant environmental impact.

Abstract: A tandem screed for use with a paving machine for compacting and smoothing asphalt paving composition includes a front screed mounted at the end of a towing arm and a rear screed mounted to the rear of the front screed and laterally extensible with respect thereto. A rear screed hydraulic cylinder is hooked up in series with a tow point hydraulic cylinder such that as the tow point is lowered, the rear screed is lowered with respect to the front screed; and as the tow point is raised, the rear screed is raised with respect to the front screed. The rear screed is thereby maintained at the same elevation as the front screed as the tow point is raised or lowered, thus avoiding bumps and irregularities in the pavement surface.