System and method for processing recycled asphalt pavement or aggregate for asphalt production

A system for processing recycled asphalt pavement for use in asphalt production, comprising:

• a heat exchanger for generating heated air and for generating heated oil;
• a heating and drying unit, including a trough positioned within an external housing and configured to receive the recycled asphalt pavement, with a hollow auger positioned in and rotating within the trough, such that the recycled asphalt pavement received at a first end of the trough is transported to a second end of the trough via rotation of the hollow auger;
• and
• a coater configured to receive the recycled asphalt pavement from the heating and drying unit, including a means for agitating and mixing the recycled asphalt pavement, liberating moisture from the recycled asphalt pavement;
• wherein the trough is constructed of two or more sections that are aligned to collectively define a cavity for receiving the hollow auger and to allow for thermal expansion of the trough in a longitudinal direction, with only one end of each of the two or more sections connected to the external housing;
• wherein the heated air is delivered from the heat exchanger and introduced into the heating and drying unit, entering the trough via an inlet and exiting the trough via an outlet, increasing a temperature of the recycled asphalt pavement as it moves through the trough;
• and
• wherein the heated oil is delivered from the heat exchanger and is pumped through the hollow auger, entering via an inlet and exiting via an outlet, increasing the temperature of the recycled asphalt pavement as it moves through the trough.