PURPOSES : In this study, energy-consuming processes in asphalt plants were evaluated, and the drying and mixing processes were characterized using a thermal equilibrium equation-based model to quantitatively estimate the amount of energy consumed during the production of mixtures in asphalt concrete plants. METHODS : An energy consumption model based on the thermal equilibrium equation was used to estimate the energy consumption of the aggregate drying process that consumes the maximum energy; the energy consumed for material transportation, storage, and operation of other facilities was cited from the literature. The results were compared with the actual results obtained for recycled hot asphalt mixtures and recycled warm mix asphalt mixtures, and a sensitivity analysis was performed by varying the conditions. RESULTS : An analysis of the main processes required to produce asphalt mixtures showed that the water content had the largest impact on energy consumption (approximately 80%). This quantitatively supports the opinion of field practitioners that maximum energy is consumed during aggregate drying. Although some discrepancies were observed, the results were found to be reasonable and within the range of typical measurements. CONCLUSIONS : The thermal energy consumption estimation model provides consistent results that reflect the characteristics of the mixture and can be used to derive the thermal energy consumption rates for individual materials, such as aggregates and binders. This can be used to identify the priorities for process optimization within a plant.

1. 연구배경 및 목적
2. 에너지 소모량 산정 방법
    2.1. 아스팔트 플랜트의 주요 공정 도출
    2.2. 연료 소모량 실측
    2.3. 열에너지 소모량 추정 모형
    2.4. 기타 에너지 소모량 추정
3. 에너지 소모량 추정 및 민감도 분석
    3.1. 혼합물 종류별 소요 에너지 평가 조건
    3.2. 결과 및 분석
4. 결론
    4.1. 결론 및 요약
감사의 글

• 윤태영(정회원 · 한국건설기술연구원 연구위원) | Yun Tae Young 교신저자