ASPHALT SHINGLE RECYCLING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A method of recycling asphalt roofing material is provided. The asphalt roofing material is delivered into a treatment chamber of a processor. A heat source is provided to the treatment chamber. Heat energy is transferred from the heat source to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated product, and the heated product is removed from the treatment chamber.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, and priority benefit, of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/069,435, filed Mar. 14, 2008, titled “Asphalt Shingle Recycling System and Method.”

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to recycling of asphalt shingles, and in particular, to a system and method for recycling of asphalt shingles utilizing heat treatment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Asphalt concrete pavement is commonly used in roadway construction. The asphalt concrete pavement typically comprises liquid asphalt cement combined with aggregate. The aggregate is usually a mixture of sand, gravel, and stone. The aggregate and liquid asphalt cement are mixed and heated to form an asphalt paving composition. The crushed gravel and stone particles of the aggregate provide sharp edges which, when combined with the liquid asphalt cement, create an aggregate interlock which improves the strength of the composition.

Liquid asphalt cement can be expensive. Shredded asphalt roofing shingles are often used as a substitute for liquid asphalt cement. The asphalt roofing shingles are “recycled” and incorporated into the asphalt pavement composition.

It is difficult to regulate the consistency of the asphalt pavement composition using shredded asphalt roofing shingles produced by existing recycling processes. Also, air emissions from existing recycling processes can be detrimental to the atmosphere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments hereinafter described, a system and method for recycling asphalt roofing shingles is described. In an embodiment, scrap and tear-off shingles from roofing materials are heat treated and liquefied to produce a slurry that can be formed into a finished product. The composition of the slurry can be regulated with a relatively high degree of consistency. Further, many of the air emissions concerns that existed in previous asphalt shingle recycling processes are eliminated.

In one illustrative embodiment, a method of recycling asphalt roofing material is provided. The asphalt roofing material may be delivered into a treatment chamber of a processor. A heat source may be passed through a jacket that at least partially surrounds the treatment chamber. Heat energy is transferred from the heat source to the asphalt roofing material until the asphalt roofing material forms a liquefied slurry. The liquefied slurry may be then removed from the treatment chamber. Heated oil can be used as the heat source. Liquid asphalt can be added to the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber in a specific embodiment, although this step is not required. The asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber can be agitated to promote mixing. The asphalt roofing material can be heated to a temperature in the range from approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber. The liquefied slurry can be cooled after it exits the treatment chamber, preferably to a temperature in the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The liquefied slurry can be passed through a hammer mill after some point after exiting the treatment chamber. Preferably, the liquefied slurry passes through the hammer mill after cooling has occurred.

In another illustrative embodiment, a processor for recycling asphalt roofing material is provided. The processor can include a treatment chamber, an inlet disposed on the treatment chamber for allowing untreated asphalt roofing material to enter the treatment chamber, an outlet disposed on the treatment chamber for allowing treated asphalt roofing material to exit the treatment chamber, and a jacket at least partially surrounding the treatment chamber, the jacket having a outer wall, an inner wall, and a passageway therebetween for allowing a heat source to pass therethrough. A feature of the processor is that an agitator arm can be disposed within the treatment chamber. The agitator arm can have a shaft and one or more paddles positioned thereon that contact the contents of the treatment chamber. A screw conveyer can be disposed adjacent to the inlet for delivering untreated asphalt roofing material to the treatment chamber. The screw conveyer can include a plurality of variable speed conveyors for regulating the flow of untreated asphalt roofing material to the treatment chamber. The heat source can be heated oil, and the heated oil can circulate through the jacket.

In another illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for recycling asphalt roofing material is provided. The apparatus can include a jacketed agitated processor for heating the asphalt roofing material to produce a partially liquefied product, a heating skid for supplying a heat source to the jacket of the agitated processor, and a hammer mill for reducing the particle size of solid particles present in the partially liquefied product. The apparatus can also include a sizing unit for reducing the particle size of solid particles present in the partially liquefied product before the partially liquefied product is delivered to the hammer mill. A screw conveyer can be utilized for delivering asphalt roofing material to the processor. The screw conveyer can include a plurality of variable speed conveyors for regulating the flow of untreated asphalt roofing material to the treatment chamber. One or more temperature measuring devices can be disposed at the outlet of the jacketed agitated processor. Further, one or more cooling devices can be positioned between the outlet of the jacketed agitated processor and the inlet of the hammer mill for measuring and regulating temperature at the processor outlet.

In another illustrative embodiment, a method of recycling asphalt roofing material is provided whereby the asphalt roofing material may be delivered into a treatment chamber of a processor. A heat source may be supplied to the treatment chamber. Heat energy can be transferred from the heat source to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated solid product. The heated solid product may then be removed from the treatment chamber.

The heat source may be passed through a jacket at least partially surrounding the treatment chamber. Heated oil may be used as the heat source. Liquid asphalt can be added to the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber. The processor can be agitated to mix the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber. The asphalt roofing material may be heated to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber. The heated product may be ground, milled and/or passed through a hammer mill after it exits the treatment chamber. The heated product can be cooled to a temperature in the range from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit after it exits the treatment chamber.

In another illustrative embodiment, a method of recycling asphalt roofing material is provided whereby the asphalt roofing material may be delivered into a treatment chamber of a processor. A heat source can be supplied to the processor. Heat energy may be transferred from the heat source to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated product, and the heated product can be removed from the treatment chamber. The heated product may be a heated solid product.

A desired temperature may be determined for the heated product exiting the treatment chamber. The actual temperature of the heated product exiting the treatment chamber may be measured, and at least one operational parameter for the processor may be automatically adjusted until the desired temperature and the actual temperature of the heated product exiting the treatment chamber are substantially the same.

Further, the actual temperature of the heated product exiting the treatment chamber can be measured a plurality of times over a defined time period, and an average temperature for the heated product exiting the treatment chamber can be calculated over the defined time period. Then, at least one operational parameter for the processor can be adjusted until the desired temperature and the average temperature of the heated product exiting the treatment chamber are substantially the same.

The operational parameter for the processor can be, for example, the amount of time that the asphalt roofing material is retained in the treatment chamber, the rate at which the asphalt roofing material is delivered to the treatment chamber, or the rotational speed of the one or more paddles in the processor.

A heat source may be passed through a jacket at least partially surrounding the treatment chamber. Heated oil may be used as the heat source. Liquid asphalt can be added to the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber. The processor can be agitated to mix the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber. The asphalt roofing material may be heated to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber. The heated product may be ground, milled and for passed through a hammer mill after it exits the treatment chamber. The heated product can also be cooled to a temperature in the range from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit after it exits the treatment chamber.

In another illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for recycling asphalt roofing material is provided. The apparatus can include an processor for heating the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated product. A jacket may be disposed around the processor. A heating skid can be used to supply a heat source to the jacket. At least one hammer mill can be used to reduce the particle size of solid particles present in the heated product. A measurement device can be utilized to measure the temperature of the heated product.

The apparatus can also include an operational control device for controlling one or more operational parameters of the processor based upon the temperature indicated by the measurement device, as well as one or more cooling devices disposed between the outlet of the processor and the inlet of the hammer mill for cooling the heated product. A screw conveyer can be utilized for delivering asphalt roofing material to the processor. The screw conveyer can include a plurality of variable speed conveyors for regulating the flow of asphalt roofing material to the processor.

An agitator arm can be disposed within the processor. The agitator arm can have a shaft and one or more paddles positioned thereon that contact the contents of the processor. A jacket may be disposed around the processor for receiving the heat source. The heat source for the processor may be heated oil, and the heated oil can transfer heat energy to the asphalt roofing material. The asphalt roofing material may be heated to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the processor. The heated product may be cooled to a temperature in the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the cooling device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of equipment utilized in a specific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a processor utilized in a specific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of an agitator arm and a plurality of paddles utilized in a specific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of additional equipment utilized in a specific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of additional equipment utilized in a specific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of equipment utilized in another specific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

While certain embodiments will be described in connection with the preferred illustrative embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an illustrative embodiment of an asphalt roofing shingle recycling system and method is provided. Scrap asphalt shingles (not shown) are collected and deposited in hopper 10. Hopper 10 is preferably of carbon steel construction and may have at least a three cubic yard storage capacity. In a specific embodiment, hopper 10 can have hinged doors 11 at or near its top end 12 through which scrap asphalt shingles may be loaded. Alternatively, scrap asphalt shingles may be loaded into hopper 10 by other means not requiring the use of hinged doors 11 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6, or by any feed, loader, or supply device capable of supplying scrap asphalt shingles into the shingle recycling system.

The contents of hopper 10 can empty onto a screw conveyer 20 by opening bottom doors 13. Screw conveyer 20 preferably has at least a ten ton-per-hour capacity and may be driven by any suitable motor, such as a variable frequency drive (“VFD”) motor, which may be a VFD motor of at least 60 horsepower.

Screw conveyer 20 delivers the scrap asphalt shingles from hopper 10 to processor 40. In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 is formed of carbon steel, and includes an inlet 42 on its top 43 for receiving the scrap asphalt shingles from screw conveyer 20. If desired, temperature reading and moisture reading devices can be installed at or near inlet 42 to allow for monitoring by a process operator. Further, screw conveyer 20 can have a dual delivery system, if desired, to prevent clogging and to feed the asphalt shingles into processor 40 in an even and consistent manner. Shingles can be loaded into hopper 10 and then pulled from hopper 10 by a short variable speed conveyor 20a that feeds onto an longer variable speed conveyor 20b. By adjusting the speeds of the two conveyors 20a and 20b, the flow of shingles into processor 40 can be regulated which will reduce or eliminate clogging of conveyer 20 or hopper 10. Alternatively, one or more augers may be utilized to load the asphalt shingles into hopper 10.

The scrap asphalt shingles are heated in a treatment chamber 55 disposed within processor 40 until the shingles reach the desired composition or consistency. In an illustrative embodiment, the shingles are at least partially liquefied. For example, a substantial portion of the scrap asphalt can take the form of a slurry after being heated in treatment chamber 55 of processor 40. Alternatively, in another illustrative embodiment, the heated shingles can remain in solid form and not take the form of a slurry in treatment chamber 55. The heated shingles can take the form of solid heated, or “toasted,” shingles. Producing a heated solid product, or heated shingles, in solid form reduces the heating requirements for the system.

In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 can be similar in construction to those processors originally designed by the Dupps Company of Germantown, Ohio for rendering animal protein products. Processor 40 has been adapted according to embodiments of the present system and method to recycle asphalt shingles. For example, processor 40 can utilize hot oil instead of steam (as intended in animal protein rendering applications) as a heating source. Hot oil is preferably utilized as the heat supplying stream due to its capacity for reaching higher temperatures than steam, although steam or other heat sources may also be utilized. Alternatively, processor 40 can be constructed or obtained from other sources while still falling within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. For example, other apparatus that apply direct or indirect heat to the shingles that results in the shingles being brought within the desired temperature range and consistency, whether a heated product in solid form or liquefied slurry form, would be in accordance with those of the present illustrative embodiments.

A jacket 65 can at least partially surround processor 40 in certain illustrative embodiments. Jacket 65 preferably comprises an outer wall 50 and an inner wall 60 with a passageway formed therebetween. The hot oil (not shown), or heat source, circulates within the passageway of jacket 65 and flows around the exterior of processor 40. The hot oil, or heat source, delivers heat energy to the scrap asphalt shingles contained within treatment chamber 55 of processor 40. Jacket 65 allows for transfer of heat over a large surface area within processor 40. Alternatively, other heat sources and apparatus for supplying heat to processor 40 may be utilized to heat the shingles treated by processor 40.

In an illustrative embodiment, the scrap asphalt shingles are heated to a temperature in the range from approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit, more preferably about 350 degrees Fahrenheit, within treatment chamber 55 of processor 40 to form a heated product. In another illustrative embodiment, the scrap asphalt shingles may be heated to a temperature in the range from approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit. To the extent the scrap asphalt shingles heated within these temperature ranges form a liquid slurry, the heated product will flow relatively easily. To the extent the scrap asphalt shingles heated within these temperature ranges form a solid heated, or “toasted,” shingle, the heated product is sufficiently brittle to be easily ground in one or more hammer mills.

The hot oil is initially stored in a heating tank 120, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Heating tank 120 is preferably associated with a thermal fluid heater skid 90. Skid 90 also includes a supply pump 130 and expansion tank 140 associated with heating tank 120. The hot oil is delivered to processor 40 via heat inlet stream 70 and exits processor 40 via heat outlet stream 80, and is recirculated through skid 90.

In a specific illustrative embodiment, liquid asphalt additive can be added to the asphalt shingles in processor 40. The liquid asphalt additive can be, for example, virgin non-oxidized asphalt. The liquid asphalt additive further liquefies the asphalt shingles in processor 40, and can affect other characteristics such as melt point. The liquid asphalt additive can be delivered to processor 40 via additive inlet stream 100 and pump 105, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The liquid asphalt additive can be heated in heater 310 prior to being introduced into processor 40. In alternate illustrative embodiments in which a solid heated product is desired, it is not necessary to introduce liquid asphalt additive into processor 40.

In an illustrative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2-3, the contents of treatment chamber 55 of processor 40 can be agitated in order to promote mixing. In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 includes a motor 41 such as a 75 horsepower motor and an agitator arm 111 that is operationally connected to motor 41 and extends within processor 40. One or more paddles 110 are positioned along the length of agitator arm 111. Paddles 110 turn and contact the material within treatment chamber 55 of processor 40 as agitator arm 111 rotates to stir and mix the treatment chamber's contents until they are of the desired consistency. The shaft of agitator arm 111 can turn clockwise or counterclockwise (as viewed from the vantage point “a” on FIGS, 2-3) within processor 40. Preferably, shaft of agitator arm 111 turns clockwise during mixing and counterclockwise during discharge of the material from processor 40.

In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 does not include any milling elements to grind, crush or abrade the scrap asphalt shingles during treatment therein, as these shingles will be adequately processed by heating and/or agitation alone. Further, it is not necessary for the scrap asphalt shingles to be shredded, milled or otherwise broken apart prior to treatment in processor 40, or for liquid asphalt additive to be added to the contents of processor 40.

In general, the viscosity and consistency of the mixture in processor 40 are controlled by monitoring a variety of parameters such as the temperature of the heated product exiting processor 40 and the amount of time the mixture is treated in processor 40. In certain illustrative embodiments, the amount of liquid asphalt additive included in the mixture may also be a relevant factor.

Upon heating, a certain portion of the asphalt mixture within processor 40 may take a gaseous/vapor form. This gas or vapor may also include steam or water vapor within processor 40. A gas/vapor buildup within processor 40 could increase the pressure within processor 40 to undesirable levels. Vapor outlet stream 160 can be utilized to allow these gases/vapors to exit the top of processor 40. Vapor outlet stream 160 is preferably directed to condenser 220, which condenses the gas/vapor stream to liquid form. A scrubber 221 may also be utilized to remove undesired pollutants from vapor outlet stream 160 (See FIG. 6). Condenser 220 is cooled by a recycled glycol stream 250 which is supplied by packaged chiller 260. The glycol stream returns to packaged chiller via return stream 270. The liquid from condenser 220 is collected in receiver 230.

In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 includes an outlet 44 on its bottom 45 whereby the heated product can exit processor 40 via processor outlet stream 46. If desired, one or more temperature measurement devices 68 (FIG. 1) can be positioned at or near outlet 44 of processor 40 to measure and/or monitor the temperature of the exiting heated product. In an illustrative embodiment, temperature measurement device can be an infrared temperature reader 68′ as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6. Temperature measurement device 68′ can be linked to a operational control device 49 for processor 40, as shown in FIG. 6. Operational control device 49 can automatically adjust one or more parameters relating to the operation of processor 40, based upon the temperature reading obtained from device 68′, as shown in FIG. 6. Examples of the parameters that can be adjusted for processor 40 to achieve a desired temperature reading at or near outlet 44 can include, but are not limited to, the rate at which scrap asphalt shingles are fed into inlet 42, the rate at which paddles 110 and/or agitator arm 111 rotate within processor 40 and the amount of time that the shingles are retained in processor 40.

At times, the heated product in processor 40 may become stuck or clumped together and form an aggregation. This aggregation can cause a distinct variation in the temperature reading measured by temperature measurement device 68. For example, an aggregation passing through outlet 44 can cause the temperature reading on device 68 to shift by fifty degrees Fahrenheit or more. In an illustrative embodiment, temperature measurement device 68′ is capable of taking temperature readings at or near outlet 44 over a defined period of time and then averaging the readings to determine an average temperature for the heated product. The average temperature is reported to variable control system 49 instead of the actual temperature reading. This prevents any unnecessary fluctuations to the operational parameters of processor 40 caused by variable control system 49.

If desired, a cooling device 69 can be utilized so that the temperature of the contents of processor 40 in outlet stream 46 can be reduced such as, for example, in elevated summer temperatures. In an illustrative embodiment, cooling device 69 can accept a heated product and preferably cool it down to the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. In another embodiment, cooling device 69 may cool heated shingles down to the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooling device 69 can utilize water mist, fans and/or tumbling action to cool the liquefied slurry or heated shingles, although other cooling means may also be utilized. Also, the contents of outlet stream 46 can be cooled by ambient air, without the need for cooling device 69.

Processor outlet stream 46 is ultimately directed from processor 40 to sizing unit 150. Sizing unit 150 preferably includes motor 151 such as a 75 horsepower VFD motor, and can accommodate 10,000 pounds per hour of materials. In an illustrative embodiment, sizing unit 150 is utilized to remove thick asphalt or other undesired materials that may be present in processor outlet stream 46. Sizing unit 150 is preferably able to grind or reduce a solid heated product without clogging or other similar disruption.

After treatment in sizing unit 150, the heated product can be delivered to hammer mill 200 via a belt conveyer 210. Alternately, an auger 400 may be used to deliver the heated product to hammer mill 200, as shown in FIG. 6. Hammer mill 200 preferably includes a totally enclosed fan cooled (“TEFC”) motor (not shown) and can accommodate at least 10,000 pounds per hour of materials. The hammer mill 200 reduces the asphalt shingle material into even smaller particles, preferably able to pass through a one inch screen. If desired, temperature reading and moisture reading devices can be installed at or near the inlet to hammer mill 200 to allow for monitoring by a process operator. In an illustrative embodiment, a finishing hammer mill 300 can be utilized to further reduce the asphalt shingle material exiting hammer mill 200, as shown in FIG. 6.

The particles in hammer mill 200 can be formed into a desired final product. For example, the final product can be extruded, formed into a pellet, or can have the consistency of coffee grounds or even finer, such as a powder. Further, the particles can be allowed to harden before entering hammer mill 200 and then crushed to size.

The final product can be utilized, for example, as an additive for pavement or roofing materials or as a raw material for shingle manufacturing. Further, grease zerts can be installed on all bearings and other related items in the system to facilitate prolonged periods of use. Additional screening, bagging and loading systems (not shown) may be provided, depending upon the size of, and intended use for, the final product, as would be well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In the drawings and specification, there has been disclosed and described typical illustrative embodiments, and although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. It will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification. Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of recycling asphalt roofing material, the method comprising the steps of:

delivering the asphalt roofing material into a treatment chamber of a processor;

passing a heat source through a jacket at least partially surrounding the treatment chamber;

transferring heat energy from the heat source to the asphalt roofing material until the asphalt roofing material forms a liquefied slurry; and

removing the liquefied slurry from the treatment chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of utilizing heated oil as the heat source.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding liquid asphalt to the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of agitating the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of heating the asphalt roofing material to a temperature in the range from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of milling the liquefied slurry after it has been removed from the treatment chamber to form a final recycled product.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of cooling the liquefied slurry after it exits the treatment chamber.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of cooling the liquefied slurry to the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of passing the liquefied slurry through a hammer mill after the liquefied slurry exits the treatment chamber.

10. A processor for recycling asphalt roofing material, the processor comprising:

a treatment chamber;

an inlet disposed on the treatment chamber for allowing untreated asphalt roofing material to enter the treatment chamber;

an outlet disposed on the treatment chamber for allowing treated asphalt roofing material to exit the treatment chamber; and

a jacket at least partially surrounding the treatment chamber, the jacket having a outer wall, an inner wall, and a passageway therebetween for allowing a heat source to pass therethrough.

11. The processor of claim 10, further comprising an agitator arm disposed within the treatment chamber, the agitator arm having a shaft and one or more paddles positioned thereon that contact the contents of the treatment chamber.

12. The processor of claim 10, further comprising a screw conveyer disposed adjacent to the inlet for delivering untreated asphalt roofing material to the treatment chamber.

13. The processor of claim 12, wherein the screw conveyer comprises a plurality of variable speed conveyors for regulating the flow of untreated asphalt roofing material to the treatment chamber.

14. The processor of claim 10, wherein the heat source is heated oil, and the heated oil circulates through the jacket.

15. An apparatus for recycling asphalt roofing material, the apparatus comprising:

a jacketed agitated processor for heating the asphalt roofing material to produce a partially liquefied product;

a heating skid for supplying a heat source to the jacket of the agitated processor; and

a hammer mill for reducing the particle size of solid particles present in the partially liquefied product.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a sizing unit for reducing the particle size of solid particles present in the partially liquefied product before the partially liquefied product is delivered to the hammer mill.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a screw conveyer for delivering asphalt roofing material to the processor.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the screw conveyer comprises a plurality of variable speed conveyors for regulating the flow of untreated asphalt roofing material to the treatment chamber.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising one or more temperature measuring devices disposed at the outlet of the jacketed agitated processor.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising one or more cooling devices between the outlet of the jacketed agitated processor and the inlet of the hammer mill.

21. A method of recycling asphalt roofing material, the method comprising the steps of:

delivering the asphalt roofing material into a treatment chamber of a processor;

supplying a heat source to the treatment chamber;

transferring heat energy from the heat source to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated solid product; and

removing the heated solid product from the treatment chamber.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of utilizing heated oil as the heat source.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of adding liquid asphalt to the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of agitating the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of heating the asphalt roofing material to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of grinding the heated solid product after it has been removed from the treatment chamber to form a recycled product.

27. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of cooling the heated solid product after it exits the treatment chamber.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of cooling the heated solid product to the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

29. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of passing the heated solid product through a hammer mill after the heated solid product exits the treatment chamber.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of passing the heat source through a jacket that at least partially surrounds the treatment chamber.

31. A method of recycling asphalt roofing material, the method comprising:

delivering the asphalt roofing material into a treatment chamber of a processor;

supplying a heat source to the treatment chamber;

transferring heat energy from the heat source to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated product;

removing the heated product from the treatment chamber;

determining a desired temperature for the heated product exiting the treatment chamber;

measuring the actual temperature of the heated product exiting the treatment chamber; and

automatically adjusting at least one operational parameter for the processor until the desired temperature and the actual temperature of the heated product exiting the treatment chamber are substantially the same.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of utilizing heated oil as the heat source.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of adding liquid asphalt to the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of agitating the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.

35. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of heating the asphalt roofing material to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber.

36. The method of claim 31, further comprising, the step of grinding the heated product after it has been removed from the treatment chamber to form a recycled product.

37. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of cooling the heated product after it exits the treatment chamber.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of cooling the heated product to the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

39. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of passing the heated product through a hammer mill after the heated product exits the treatment chamber.

40. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

measuring the actual temperature of the heated product exiting the treatment chamber a plurality of times over a defined time period;

calculating an average temperature for the heated product exiting the treatment chamber over the defined time period; and

adjusting at least one operational parameter for the processor until the desired temperature and the average temperature of the heated product exiting the treatment chamber are substantially the same.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein the treatment chamber contains one or more paddles for mixing the asphalt roofing material, and the operational parameter is the rotational speed of the one or more paddles.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein the operational parameter is the rate at which the asphalt roofing material is delivered to the treatment chamber.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein the operational parameter is the amount of time that the asphalt roofing material is retained in the treatment chamber.

44. The method of claim 31, wherein the heated product is a heated solid product.

45. The method of claim 31, further comprising passing the heat source through a jacket that at least partially surrounds the treatment chamber.

46. An apparatus for recycling asphalt roofing material, the apparatus comprising:

a processor for heating the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated solid product, the processor having an inlet and an outlet;

a heating skid for supplying a heat source to the processor;

at least one hammer mill for reducing the particle size of solid particles present in the heated product, the hammer mill having an inlet and an outlet;

a measurement device for measuring the temperature of the heated product;

an operational control device for controlling one or more operational parameters of the processor based upon the temperature indicated by the measurement device;

one or more cooling devices disposed between the outlet of the processor and the inlet of the hammer mill for cooling the heated product; and

a screw conveyer for delivering asphalt roofing material to the processor, the screw conveyer comprising a plurality of variable speed conveyors for regulating the flow of asphalt roofing material to the processor.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising an agitator arm disposed within the processor, the agitator arm having a shaft and one or more paddles positioned thereon that contact the contents of the processor.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the heat source is heated oil, and the heated oil transfers heat energy to the asphalt roofing material.

49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the asphalt roofing material is heated to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the processor.

50. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the heated product is cooled to a temperature in the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the cooling device.

51. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a jacket disposed around the processor for receiving the heat source.