Asphalt batch plant and asphalt drum plant are two types of asphalt mixing equipment according to mixing mode. Asphalt batch plant is the mixing equipment for batch production of asphalt products; The asphalt drum plant is a mixing equipment for continuous production of asphalt finished materials. What are the differences between asphalt batch plant and asphalt drum plant? What are the pros and cons of both? How to choose one between asphalt batch plant and asphalt drum plant? This article will explain for you one by one.
Differences Between Asphalt Batch Plant VS Drum Plant
There are several differences between the asphalt batch plant vs drum plant such as production process, working principle, mixing place, structural composition, the quality of finished asphalt mixture.
Production Process
Asphalt Batch Plant: Asphalt batch plant, that is, heating and drying of aggregate and also mixing of combination are performed intermittently. The equipment is used to stir each pot separately. The mixing of mixture is carried out in batches, and also the mixing period of each batch is 45 to 60 seconds.
Continuous Drum Plant: Asphalt drum plant is that heating and drying of raw aggregate and also mixing of asphalt mixture are performed continuously and the whole process has no interrupted period until the finished materials are completed.
Working Principle

Asphalt Batch Plant: The cold aggregates with different particle sizes are discharged into the corresponding cold feeder bin through the loader, and then fall onto the horizontal belt conveyor through the cold feeder bin door. After the initial measurement via the batching machine, they are sent to the drying drum by the inclined belt conveyor.
Then the cold aggregate is heated and dewatered in the drying drum, it is transported to the vibrating screen by the hot material elevator. The vibrating screen screens the hot aggregates of different sizes, and then the hot aggregates are stored in the temporary hot storage bin. Next the hot aggregate being weighed again, together with liquid asphalt and additives, is sent to the mixer for mixing, and the finished asphalt mixture finally stored in the finished product silo or directly unloaded into the transport vehicle.
Asphalt Drum Plant: After the initial measurement and weighing, the cold aggregates with different particle sizes are transported to the drying drum by the inclined belt conveyor. The first half of the mixing drum is heated to remove water, and then mixed with the weighed hot asphalt and powder in the second half of the drying drum to produce finished asphalt mixture. Finally, the cold aggregates are transported to the temporary finished product silo by the hot material elevator for storage, waiting for the transport vehicle to transport.
Mixing Place
The asphalt batch plant: The mixing place of asphalt and heated aggregates in different particles is at main mixer.
The asphalt drum plant: The mixing place of asphalt and heated aggregates in different particles is in the rotary drum. To be more specific, the mixing place is in the second half of the drying drum.
Structural Composition
System of asphalt batch mixing plant
System of asphalt drum mixing plant
Asphalt Batch Mix Plant | Asphalt Drum Mix Plant | |
Cold Aggregate Weighing Device | No | No/Belt Weighing Device(Rough Weighing) |
Powder Bin | Yes(Add Additives Such as Mineral Powder and Fiber) | No |
Powder Weighing Device | Yes | No |
Screw Conveyer | Yes | No |
Bitumen Weighing Device | Yes | No |
Variable Frequency Motor Driving Bitumen Pump | No | Yes |
Vibrating Screen | Yes(4—5 layers) | No |
Mixer | Yes | No |
Dust Collector | Volute Dust Collector + Baghouse Dust Collector | Cyclone Dust Filter, Water Dust Collector |
Quality of Finished Asphalt Mixture
The asphalt batch plant: The production of asphalt mixture is carried out in batches, and there is an interval between batches, which means you can adjust the ratio of mixture at any time according to your project requirements. Also, there is secondary weighing during the production of asphalt mixture, which ensures the accurate proportion of different components so that you can get the high quality finished asphalt mixture.
The asphalt drum plant: The production of asphalt mixture is continuous, and there is no interruption until the whole production is finished. What’s more, the drying drum has the dual function, that is, heating and mixing is carried out in the same device, which means that you can’t adjust the temperature of aggregate. Also, the asphalt drum plant doesn’t have the secondary weighing procedure, therefore the quality of the finished asphalt mixture is average.
Pros and Cons of Asphalt Batch Plant and Drum Plant
When it comes to the asphalt batch plant vs drum plant, the pros and cons of both plants are very essential, because they decide which one to buy. The asphalt batch plant can manufacture the premium asphalt mixture, which is suitable for these large and medium-size projects. However, the asphalt drum plant is featured by compact structure, small occupation area and low capital investment, which is suitable for small scale road construction such as low-grade road in towns and villages.
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Asphalt Batch Plant |
Asphalt Drum Plant |
Pros |
Cold Aggregates are weighed twice and all Components are Accurately added |
Compact Structure, Convenient to transfer and Relocate |
Monitor the Oil-stone Ratio in Real Time and Change Oil-stone Ratio during Operation |
Relatively Low Running and Maintenance Cost |
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Adopt Pulse Baghouse Dust Collector, Environmental Performance is fine |
Low Investment Cost and High Cost-effectiveness |
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High Degree of Intelligence in Control System |
Small Occupation Area |
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High Quality of Finished Mixture |
Suitable for Developing Towns and Villages |
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Applicable to Large-scale and High-grade Road Construction Projects |
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Cons |
High Maintenance and Running Cost |
Poor Quality Asphalt Mixture |
Large Occupation Area |
Unable to monitor and Change Oil-stone Ratio during Operation |
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Inconvenient to Transfer |
Dust Collecting is average |
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Rough Weighing and Screening |
How to Choose the Suitable One out of the both Asphalt Plant
Before you decide to buy an asphalt mixing plant, there are several factors to be considered.
First is the budget. It’s general that the cost of an asphalt batch plant is much higher than that of an asphalt drum plant for the same configuration.
Second is the quality of asphalt mixture. If your construction project has a high requirement for the quality of asphalt mixture, the asphalt batch plant is the good choice. If your construction project doesn’t have much requirements for the quality of asphalt mixture, the asphalt drum plant is first option.
Third is the scale of construction project. The asphalt batch plant is suitable for large scale construction projects such as high grade road and highways. The asphalt drum plant is suitable for small scale construction project such as village roads and low grade roads.
Of course, there are more factors in influencing the selection of an asphalt batch plant vs asphalt drum plant, but these are the main factors.
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