System and method for producing asphalt using exhaust from a generator
AssigneeGranite Construction Incorporated
InventorsRob Carter, Brad Estes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for producing hot mix asphalt includes a generator having an exhaust port; a dryer drum having an inlet; a duct connecting the exhaust port to the inlet, the duct conveying a first flow of hot gas from the exhaust port; an exhaust bypass vent conveying a second flow of hot gas diverging from the first flow of hot gas; and a valve disposed at a junction between the duct and the exhaust bypass vent for adjusting a flow rate of the second flow of hot gas. The dryer drum produces hot mix asphalt from asphalt materials using a third flow of hot gas diverging from the first flow of hot gas and entering the dryer drum through the inlet.
Claims21
A system for producing hot mix asphalt, comprising:
- a generator having an exhaust port;
- a dryer drum having an inlet;
- a duct connecting the exhaust port to the inlet, the duct being configured to convey a first flow of hot gas from the exhaust port;
- an exhaust bypass vent configured to convey a second flow of hot gas diverging from the first flow of hot gas;
- and
- a valve disposed at a junction between the duct and the exhaust bypass vent, the valve being configured to adjust a flow rate of the second flow of hot gas,
- wherein the dryer drum is configured to produce hot mix asphalt from asphalt materials using a third flow of hot gas diverging from the first flow of hot gas and entering the dryer drum through the inlet.
A power generation apparatus, comprising:
- a generator having an exhaust port;
- a dryer drum having an inlet;
- a duct connecting the exhaust port to the inlet, the duct being configured to convey a first flow of hot gas from the exhaust port;
- an exhaust bypass vent configured to convey a second flow of hot gas diverging from the first flow of hot gas;
- and
- a valve disposed at a junction between the duct and the exhaust bypass vent, the valve being configured to adjust a flow rate of the second flow of hot gas,
- wherein the dryer drum is configured to produce hot mix asphalt from asphalt materials using a third flow of hot gas diverging from the first flow of hot gas and entering the dryer drum through the inlet, and
- wherein the generator is configured to provide electrical energy to a power grid or equipment on a manufacturing site including the power generation apparatus.
A method of producing hot mix asphalt and providing electrical energy, the method comprising:
- providing a generator having an exhaust port;
- providing a dryer drum having an inlet;
- providing an exhaust bypass vent;
- connecting the exhaust port to the inlet using a duct;
- installing a valve at a junction between the duct and the exhaust bypass vent;
- running the generator to produce hot gas such that a first flow of the hot gas flows through the duct, the first flow of the hot gas diverging into a second flow of the hot gas and a third flow of the hot gas, the second flow of the hot gas flowing through the exhaust bypass vent, and the third flow of the hot gas flowing through the inlet and into the dryer drum;
- controlling a flow rate of the third flow of the hot gas by controlling the valve to control a flow rate of the second flow of the hot gas;
- producing hot mix asphalt from asphalt materials in the dryer drum using the third flow of the hot gas;
- and
- providing, to a power grid or to equipment on a manufacturing site having the generator, electrical energy generated by the running of the generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.