What Are The Fuels For Asphalt Mixing Plants?

The fuel of asphalt mixing plant equipment is crucial to its operating efficiency and environmental performance. Common fuels for asphalt mixing plant include diesel, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biofuel, electricity, etc. The application of various fuels directly affects the performance and environmental protection effect of the equipment.

 

Types of fuels for asphalt mixing plant equipment mainly include the following:

1. Traditional fuel

(1) Coal
- Features: low cost, but relatively low combustion efficiency, and easy to generate dust and pollutants (such as SO₂, NOx).
- Application scenario: suitable for scenarios where fuel cost is sensitive and environmental protection requirements are not high, but dust removal equipment (such as bag filter dust collector) is required.
- Data reference:
Coal consumption rate: about 10.8–15 kg/t finished material (bituminous coal powder, volatile matter>32%).

(2) Heavy oil/fuel oil
- Features: good combustion performance, but viscous, high sulfur content, need preheating treatment, and may produce acidic gas and particulate matter after combustion.
- Application scenario: some old asphalt mixing plant equipment or scenarios with stable fuel supply require desulfurization and denitrification equipment.
- Data reference:
Fuel consumption rate: about 5.8-7.5 kg/t finished product.
(3) Diesel
- Features: Cleaner than heavy oil, but more expensive, often used for small-scale or temporary construction.
- Application scenarios: Mobile asphalt mixing plant equipment or areas with high emission requirements.
 

2. Clean energy
(1) Natural gas
- Features: Clean combustion (low CO₂ and SO₂ emissions), high thermal efficiency, but requires a stable gas supply network, and the initial transformation cost is high.
- Application scenarios: Regions with strict environmental protection policies, or projects with natural gas pipeline conditions.
- Technical points:
The burner needs to be transformed into "dual-use oil and gas" and a dedicated gas supply pipeline needs to be laid (overhead safety).
- Pressure regulation: The pressure needs to be adjusted to 45-60 kPa through three levels.

(2) Biomass energy
- Features: Utilizes agricultural and forestry waste (straw, wood chips, etc.) for gasification and combustion to achieve carbon neutrality and low pollution.
- Application scenarios: projects that promote the "dual carbon" goals, or areas rich in biomass resources.
- Technical breakthroughs:
The Kuoyang biomass gasification and combustion integrated machine converts biomass into combustible gas (350-500 m³/m³ fuel) through anaerobic pyrolysis technology, with a long flame (about 10 meters), which is suitable for asphalt mixing needs.
 

3. Multi-fuel compatible system
Powdered coal-fuel dual-purpose burner
Features: It can achieve efficient combustion of powdered coal with 5%-10% light oil as combustion aid, and can also operate independently with fuel oil, flexibly responding to fuel price fluctuations or changes in construction conditions.
Advantages:
The discharge temperature of the drying drum is stable (within ±5℃ deviation).
Fuel consumption rate <6.5 kg/t, coal consumption rate <10.8 kg/t (high-quality bituminous coal powder).
 

4. Other fuels
- Liquefied gas/petroleum gas (LPG): Some equipment can be equipped with a liquefied gas ignition system to assist combustion start-up.
- Electric heating: It is used in very few scenarios, but the energy consumption cost is high and the applicability is limited.
 

Key factors for selecting fuel of asphalt mixing plant:
- Environmental protection requirements: Natural gas and biomass energy are more in line with low-carbon policies; coal and heavy oil need to be equipped with environmental protection treatment equipment.
- Economical efficiency: Coal and heavy oil have low costs, but maintenance and environmental protection costs need to be included; natural gas and biomass energy rely on supply stability.
- Equipment adaptability: The combustion system (such as oil and gas dual-purpose burners), gas/oil supply system and dust removal configuration need to be modified.
- Construction conditions: Diesel or fuel oil is preferred for mobile asphalt mixing plant equipment; natural gas or biomass energy can be considered for fixed asphalt mixing plant equipment.