Recycling and the Asphalt Industry - Breaking Ground!

source Lisa Cleaver
Forconstructionpros.com

"For those of us in the asphalt industry, "green asphalt" technologies, such as warm mix asphalt (WMA), reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), are part of everyday life. Most asphalt contractors and producers have used these techniques and understand the benefits they bring to the table.
It seems state governments and agencies are also taking note and increasing the adoption of these sustainable technologies nationwide. According to a survey conducted by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), about 66.7 million tons of RAP and 1.2 million tons of RAS were collected in the United States during 2011 for use in new pavements. Also, about 19% of all asphalt produced in the country that year was made using  WMA technologies.

That these technologies are gaining wider acceptance is great news for asphalt contractors, our environment, but also the bottom line. According to the survey, the use of RAP and RAS during the 2011 paving season translates to a saving of 21.2 million barrels of liquid asphalt binder, saving taxpayers some $2.2 billion.

More data from the survey:
In 2011, RAP usage reached 66.7 million tons, a 7% increase from 2010 and a 19% increase from 2009. More than 99% of asphalt pavement reclaimed from roads went back into new pavements.
98 percent of producers reported using RAP in their mixes for new construction, pavement preservation, rehabilitation, and other projects.
RAS usage also continued to climb, increasing to 1.2 million tons in 2011 — an 8% increase over 2010, and a 52.5% increase since 2009.
Since 2009, RAS usage has been reported in 36 states.
In 2011, total WMA tonnage in the U.S. was estimated at about 69 million tons, a 67% increase from 2010 and a nearly 309% increase since 2009.
Almost all WMA in the U.S. was produced using a foaming process; warm mix additive technologies accounted for a little more than 4 percent of the market

A copy of the full survey is available at asphaltpavement.org/recycling.

Of course, our industry has a long history of adapting new technologies and innovations to make a better product. John Keating, NAPA 2013 Chairman and President and COO East of Oldcastle Materials Inc., says, “While use of these technologies has increased dramatically, there is room to do more, and the asphalt pavement industry is ready to reach even higher levels of sustainability in road construction.” That we are.

http://www.asphaltpavement.org/recycling

Take a Tour of an Asphalt Plant Online..

Virtual Asphalt Plant Tour

Making asphalt is like baking a cake. You measure all the right ingredients, mix them up and heat them for the final product. Asphalt starts with a mixture of sand and small and large rocks (called aggregate). Next, asphalt cement is heated and combined with the rocks — thus the name hot mix asphalt (HMA). The HMA must be kept pliable for proper installation, so asphalt facilities must be located near paving sites.

There are two basic types of plants used to manufacture hot mix asphalt:
Batch plants, which make asphalt in batches as needed to go straight to work sites
Drum plants, which make asphalt continuously and can store the asphalt for several days in heated storage silos.

You'll find common components in both batch and drum plants including:
•Cold feed bins — Accurately meter the different aggregates used in the mix to the drying drum. Aggregates are usually stored in stockpiles or they may be stored in large silos or bunkers.
•Asphalt cement storage — Asphalt cement is stored in tanks that meet stringent regulatory guidelines for spill prevention.
•Dryer drum — Dries and heats aggregates by tumbling them through hot air. In a parallel-flow drum, aggregates move in the same direction as the hot air. In a counter-flow drum, aggregates move in the opposite direction.
•Emission control system — Sometimes called a baghouse, this system traps and removes fine sand and dust particles and returns them to the mix.
•Storage silos — Drum mix plants must have silos since they produce asphalt continuously. Batch plants do not require a silo, but often have them to increase plant production. Storage silos are insulated and may be heated to prevent heat loss. A mix may be stored in a silo for days.

Source: beyondroads.com

Road Readie Paving has a commitment to customer satisfaction through quality workmanship, at a competitive price. Specializing in commercial, industrial, and residential asphalt projects, there are no jobs Road Readie Paving cannot do. With over 30 years of experience serving the Barrie and Simcoe area, Road Readie Paving has built a reputation second to none. If you are needing asphalt for you next construction project, call Road Readie Paving for a free quote. 705-719-0074

Road Construction Barriers in Japan

Have you ever seen animal road construction barriers in Canada? In Japan, figures of pandas, rabbits, and frogs are lining highways and construction sites to act as an eye catching barrier for traffic.

According to blogger Biran Ashcraft, "in 2006, a construction equipment rental company called Sendaimeiban began collaborating with Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido to make "character barricades" that could be placed at roadside construction sites and be seen by buses of tourists."

The first character put to work was the monkey, but as you'll see in the slideshow of Biran's photographs below, figures of frogs, ducks, and rabbits abound.

Why cartoon like animals? One theory being put forth online is that the barriers have a calming effect and reduce road rage, another is that drivers don't want to hit the cute animals, so the characters are a form of accident prevention. What do you think? Is Canada ready to replace safety cones and construction tape with something else?



Do you have a paving project in mind? We hope you decide to support a local family owned business, with a commitment to service and quality, and give Road Readie Paving a call for a free consultation/quote. 705-719-0074

Re-roofing? - Here's some info about recycling asphalt shingles

One of the environmental advantages of asphalt is the ability to recycle asphalt materials and re-use them. Here is an infographic from Better Roads Magazine about recycling asphalt roofing tiles in the US. The numbers are huge!

• Over 12.5 billion square feet of asphalt shingles are produced each year in the US - enough to put a roof over 5 million homes
• The shingle roof of an average US home can supply enough asphalt to pave 200 feet of a 2-lane highway.
• Recycling asphalt shingles could keep 11 million tons of waste away from landfills.

 

 

Road Readie Paving has decades of experience in residential and commercial paving projects. Call us for an estimate 705-719-0074. Support Local Businesses!