Method and apparatus for recovering and recycling sludge and product thereof

Abstract

A method by which dredged sludge is used to make a new asphalt composition. The moisture content of the sludge is reduced by allowing the sludge to drain through a filter. The reduced-moisture-content sludge is heated and combined with asphalt mixture. The respective flow rates of the reduced-moisture-content sludge and the asphalt mix is controlled via a computer controller. The moisture-reducing step may include at least one of the steps of stirring, mixing, churning, and turning the sludge, and may also include blowing air onto the sludge. The invention also includes a system for performing the method. The system includes a drainage area, a filter at least partially surrounding the drainage area, a first bin adapted to receive sludge from the drainage area, a conveyor having an input at the drainage area and an output at the first bin, and a rotating drum in communication with the first bin for receiving a flow of the sludge from the first bin. The invention also includes the road paving material made by the above method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.