According to the production process, there are two basic types of asphalt plants: intermittent/batch type and drum type. And the drum type asphalt plant can also be divided into parallel flow asphalt plant and counter flow asphalt plant on the basis of whether the flow of aggregate is consistent with the direction of burner flame. Do you know what is counter flow asphalt plant? What are the advantages of counter flow asphalt plant? What are the types of counter flow asphalt plant? This article will show them one by one.
About Counter Flow Asphalt Plant
Counter flow asphalt plant refers to the plant that the flow direction of aggregate is opposite to the direction of burner flame. As for the counter flow asphalt plant, the aggregates are conveyed to enter the higher point of the drum and flow towards the lower point of the drum. That is not different from ordinary asphalt mixing plants. What is different from ordinary hot mix asphalt plant is that the flame burner of the counter flow asphalt plant is located in the opposite direction of the drum aggregate inlet, which is the origin of its name.
What is Parallel Flow Asphalt Plant
The parallel flow asphalt plant is also named drum type continuous asphalt mix plant. Why is drum type asphalt mixing plant called parallel flow asphalt plant? The reason is that the flow of aggregates and burner flame in same direction, that is, the flow of aggregate is consistent with the direction of burner flame. For a parallel flow asphalt plant, the drying process of aggregates takes place in the first half section of drum, the mixing process of aggregates, bitumen and fillers takes place in the second section of drum. Dust collecting is conducted during the mixing process.
Parallel Flow Asphalt Plant VS Counter Flow Asphalt Plant
| Parallel Flow Asphalt Plant | Counter Flow Asphalt Plant |
| The flow direction of aggregates is consistent with that of the burner flame. Therefore, it has a low heat utilization and needs more fuel consumption. | The flow direction of aggregates is opposite to that of burner flame, which can make heating of aggregates more even. That means higher heat utilization and less fuel consumption. |
| Drying of aggregates and mixing of mixture take place in same drum, and dust collecting is conducted after mixing process, which leads to the low quality of asphalt mix. | Drying of aggregates and mixing of mixture take place in separate drum, and dust collecting is conducted before drying of aggregate, which means no dust in the mixing drum, so the premium asphalt mix is produced. |
| Sometimes, the increase of the burner flame may cause the asphalt to burn, and may damage the mixture quality, thus causing the conveyor belt at the discharge end of the drum to burn. | Since the heating and mixing process is carried out in a separate drum, the burner flame will not contact with asphalt, other liquids or additives. The asphalt can’t be caused to burn. |
| Due to drying of aggregates and mixing of mixture in one drum, the temperature of hot aggregates can’t be measured separately. | Due to drying of aggregates and mixing of mixture in separate drum, the temperature of hot aggregates can be measured and controlled. |
Advantages of Counter Flow Asphalt Plant
High degree of automation
Premium quality asphalt mix
Good drying and heating effect
Less residual water content of finished materials
Wide application range
Types of Counter Flow Asphalt Plant in Luton
Double Drum – it is almost similar to the single drum asphalt mix plant. There are two differences between both of them. One is the number of drum. The other is the production technology that the heating and drying of the cold aggregate and the mixing of mixture are respectively carried out in the two drum.
The double drum hot mix plant is featured by less heat loss and more optional capacity available (10t/h, 15t/h, 20t/h and 30t/h), this type asphalt plant in Luton becomes a hot product.
Single Drum – the drum has dual functions, that is, it integrates the function of dryer and mixer, so the heating and drying of the aggregate and mixing of mixture are continuously carried out in the same drum. The heating and drying process of aggregate happened in the first half of the drum, and the mixing process of mixture happened in the second half of the drum. And the production of single drum asphalt mix plant ranges from 20t/h to 40t/h.
Your Best Counter Flow Asphalt Plant Manufacturer–Luton Group
LUTON Group CO., Ltd is a professional asphalt plant manufacturing corporation of China and also a leading exporter of asphalt mixing plant equipment and other civil and road construction machinery.
With a history of more than 20 years, LUTON Group contributes to providing its clients with high-quality asphalt plant equipment and top-ranking after-sale services.
The counter flow asphalt plant is featured by higher heat utilization, less fuel consumption, premium quality asphalt mix and wide application range. It is mainly applicable to these projects such as constructions of high grade highways, motorways, municipal service roads and other job sites that have a strict requirement for the quality of asphalt mix. All in all, owning a counter flow asphalt plant is the optimal choice if you need to produce and use the high quality asphalt mix at less fuel consumption.
If you have any intention of ordering, please feel free to contact us. We will be full of enthusiasm to provide you with the best products and the best service.
