Electric heating asphalt concrete mixture production system and vertical heating bin

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of electric heating asphalt concrete mixture production systems and vertical heating material bin, it is related to asphalt concrete production technical field, production system includes vertical heating material bin, for storing aggregate, and aggregate is heated by echelon;Conveying device, with the discharge port of vertical heating material bin intercommunication, and for conveying aggregate after heating element heating;Hot material bin, including several sub-warehouses, several sub-warehouses are used to store aggregate conveyed by conveying device;It is equipped with a measuring hopper, below the discharge port of several sub-warehouses, for taking aggregate of different diameters according to preset aggregate proportioning;Mixing cylinder, below the measuring hopper, for the mixture of aggregate and asphalt taken by measuring hopper is stirred;The outside of bin body, the conveying channel of conveying device, the outside of hot material bin and the outside of mixing cylinder are all provided with heat preservation layer. Solve the problem of low heating efficiency, uneven heating and pollution in asphalt production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of asphalt production technology, specifically to an electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system and a vertical heating silo. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of asphalt concrete, aggregate heating and proportioning are key technological steps. In traditional processes, cold aggregates are first sorted and stored in a stockpile, then undergo primary proportioning in cold aggregate bins, and subsequently heated in a drying drum by a high-temperature flame generated by a burner. This process typically employs co-current or counter-current heating methods, combined with induced draft fans and dust removal equipment to dry and heat the wet aggregates before they are used in subsequent mixing operations. The entire process involves the coordinated operation of multiple independent pieces of equipment, resulting in a complex structure, large footprint, and reliance on fossil fuels for heat energy.

[0003] However, the aforementioned existing technologies have many drawbacks: cold aggregate storage relies on large-area stockpiles, which are easily affected by environmental factors, leading to unstable material supply; the heating method of the drying drum has problems of uneven heating and serious heat loss, resulting in low energy utilization; the burner emits a large amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants during operation, which does not meet the requirements of green environmental protection; at the same time, the process path is long and there are many pieces of equipment, resulting in high system energy consumption, high maintenance costs, and low production efficiency, making it difficult to meet the development needs of modern green and low-carbon construction. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and propose an electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system to solve the technical problems of large footprint, high energy consumption, serious pollution, uneven heating and complex process in traditional asphalt mixing process.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] On one hand, an electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system includes: several vertical heating silos for storing aggregates of different diameters and heating the aggregates in stages; the interior of each of the vertical heating silos is provided with crisscrossing heating elements from top to bottom, the density of the heating elements increasing from the top of the silo to the bottom; at least one conveying device connected to the outlet of each of the vertical heating silos and used to convey the aggregates heated by the heating elements; a hot silo including several sub-compartments for storing the aggregates conveyed by the conveying device; a weighing hopper located below the outlet of each sub-compartment for weighing aggregates of different diameters according to a preset aggregate ratio; and a mixing cylinder located below the weighing hopper for mixing the aggregate and asphalt mixture weighed by the weighing hopper; heating and insulation layers are provided on the outer side of the silos, the conveying channel of the conveying device, the outer side of the hot silo, and the outer side of the mixing cylinder.

[0007] Preferably, the cylindrical wall of the silo is provided with a plurality of thermocouple sensors, each of which is electrically connected to a temperature control switch and is used to control the opening and closing of the plurality of temperature control switches according to a preset temperature threshold.

[0008] Preferably, the top of the silo is connected to a feed hopper, and an exhaust port is provided on one side of the feed hopper, which is connected to a waste heat recovery pipe.

[0009] Preferably, the production system can be powered by a solar power generator, which is electrically connected to an energy storage unit.

[0010] Preferably, the energy storage unit can be used for off-peak energy storage at night.

[0011] Preferably, the production system can generate electricity in reverse using the heat energy stored in the stones within its vertical silo.

[0012] On the other hand, a vertical heating silo is applied to any of the above-mentioned electric heating asphalt concrete mixture production systems, wherein the heating element includes several sets of first heating tube groups and several sets of second heating tube groups, the several sets of first heating tube groups are arranged along the silo body, and the several sets of second heating tube groups are arranged inside the silo body.

[0013] Preferably, each of the several groups of the first heating tubes includes multiple first vertical heating tubes distributed axially along the inner wall of the chamber and multiple first horizontal heating tubes distributed circumferentially around the inner wall of the chamber. Multiple vertical mounting slots and multiple horizontal mounting slots are provided on the inner wall of the chamber, and the multiple vertical mounting slots and multiple horizontal mounting slots are distributed alternately.

[0014] Preferably, the interior of the silo is provided with a diversion cap and a support frame. The support frame includes a plurality of support rods and a plurality of connecting rods. The plurality of support rods are fixed in a circumferential manner at the bottom of the silo, and one end of the plurality of connecting rods is fixed to the top of the corresponding support rod, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the silo.

[0015] Preferably, each of the support rods has multiple fixing grooves along its extension direction, and each of the second heating tube groups includes multiple second vertical heating tubes and multiple second horizontal heating tubes. The multiple second horizontal heating tubes are fixed in a ring shape in the corresponding fixing grooves, and the multiple second vertical heating tubes are fixed on the multiple second horizontal heating tubes.

[0016] The beneficial effects achieved by this utility model due to the adoption of the above technical solution are as follows:

[0017] By adopting a vertical heating silo that integrates storage and heating functions, the use of traditional stockpiles and cold silos is reduced, significantly decreasing the floor space and dust pollution. The design of heating elements with increasing density from top to bottom allows the aggregate to gradually and evenly absorb heat within the silo, solving the problem of uneven heating and improving heating efficiency. The all-electric heating replaces fuel combustion, eliminating high-energy-consuming equipment such as drying cylinders, burners, induced draft fans, and dust collectors, greatly reducing carbon emissions and achieving green and environmentally friendly production. Heating and insulation layers are set on the outside of each part of the system to effectively reduce heat loss and improve energy utilization efficiency, thus achieving efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly continuous production of asphalt concrete. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a circuit block diagram of an electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the production process of an electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a top view of the first heating tube assembly of a vertical heating silo according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first fixing clamp of a vertical heating hopper according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second heating tube assembly of a vertical heating silo according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of section AA in the middle;

[0025] Figure 8 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle BB section;

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the second fixing clamp of a vertical heating hopper according to the present invention.

[0027] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0028] 1. Vertical heating hopper; 11. Hopper body; 111. Vertical mounting slot; 112. Horizontal mounting slot; 113. Through hole; 12. Heating element; 121. First heating tube assembly; 122. First vertical heating tube; 123. First horizontal heating tube; 13. Thermocouple sensor; 14. Feed hopper; 15. Exhaust port; 16. Waste heat recovery pipe; 17. First fixing clamp; 171. First clamping part; 172. Second clamping part 173. First fixing hole; 174. Inclined part; 2. Conveying device; 3. Hot material bin; 31. Dividing bin; 4. Measuring hopper; 5. Mixing cylinder; 6. Second heating tube group; 61. Second vertical heating tube; 62. Second horizontal heating tube; 63. Second fixing clamp; 631. Third clamping part; 632. Fourth clamping part; 633. Second fixing hole; 7. Diverter cap; 8. Support frame; 81. Support rod; 82. Connecting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0030] The present invention will be described in detail with the following embodiments:

[0031] Example 1

[0032] refer to Figure 1-3 An electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system, such as Figure 1 , 3 As shown, it includes: several vertical heating silos 1, at least one conveying device 2, a hot material silo 3, a metering hopper 4, and a mixing cylinder 5, wherein,

[0033] Several vertical heating silos 1 are used to store aggregates of different diameters and to heat the aggregates in stages. The silo bodies 11 of the several vertical heating silos 1 are provided with crisscrossing heating elements 12 from top to bottom. The density of the heating elements 12 increases from the top of the silo body 11 downwards.

[0034] Several conveying devices 2 are connected to the discharge ports of several vertical heating silos 1 and are used to convey aggregates heated by heating elements 12;

[0035] The hot material bin 3 includes several sub-bins 31, which are used to store aggregates conveyed by several conveying devices 2;

[0036] The weighing hopper 4 is located below the discharge port of several compartments 31 and is used to weigh aggregates of different diameters according to the preset aggregate ratio.

[0037] The mixing tank 5, located below the measuring hopper 4, is used to mix the aggregate and asphalt mixture weighed by the measuring hopper 4.

[0038] Heating and insulation layers are provided on the outer side of the silo body 11, the conveying channel of the conveying device 2, the outer side of the hot material silo 3, and the outer side of the mixing cylinder 5.

[0039] In the above structure, several vertical heating silos 1 serve as the initial processing units of the system, undertaking the tasks of classifying, storing, and progressively heating aggregates. Each vertical heating silo 1 corresponds to an aggregate size specification (e.g., 0–5 mm, 5–10 mm, 10–15 mm, 15–20 mm, etc.). The silo body 11 is a vertically arranged closed container, typically made of high-temperature resistant steel, possessing sufficient structural strength to withstand internal material pressure and thermal stress. Within the internal space of the silo body 11, crisscrossing heating elements 12 are arranged in a grid pattern, extending throughout the height of the silo body to ensure that heat can be uniformly conducted to the surrounding aggregates in three-dimensional space. Specifically, the density of the heating elements 12 gradually increases from top to bottom along the silo body 11, i.e., the heating elements are sparsely distributed in the upper region, moderately denser in the middle, and most densely distributed in the lower region. This non-uniform distribution design matches the changes in the physical properties of the aggregate during the heating process: newly fed aggregate initially has a high moisture content but a low temperature, and when placed at the top, it receives gentle preheating to prevent rapid moisture evaporation that could lead to cracking or dust generation; as the aggregate flows downwards, its moisture content decreases, and its heat absorption capacity increases. At this point, higher-density heating elements can provide stronger heat input, ensuring that the final discharge temperature remains stable and meets the standards. This tiered heating mode effectively avoids the problem of surface overheating without internal penetration caused by instantaneous high temperatures, as seen in traditional drying drums, thus improving thermal response accuracy and energy utilization efficiency.

[0040] Several conveying devices 2 are connected to the discharge ports at the bottom of each vertical heating silo 1, responsible for transferring the heated aggregate to the subsequent hot aggregate silo 3. The conveying devices 2 can be in the form of screw conveyors, scraper conveyors, or enclosed belt conveyors, etc., and the specific selection is determined according to the production requirements, conveying distance, and site layout. Its conveying channel is completely sealed to prevent heat loss and dust leakage, and at the same time has a certain temperature resistance to adapt to the continuous transportation of high-temperature aggregates.

[0041] The hot aggregate bin 3 is used to temporarily store heated aggregates from different conveying paths. It is internally divided into several independent compartments 31, each corresponding to an aggregate size grade, maintaining gradation separation until the metering stage. This design ensures the accuracy of subsequent proportioning control and prevents mixing of aggregates of different specifications during storage.

[0042] Measuring hopper 4 is located below the discharge port of each compartment 31, equipped with high-precision weighing sensors and an automatic control system. It can dynamically adjust the amount of aggregate of each specification according to the preset formula to achieve precise batching. The metering process is programmable and supports continuous operation of multiple batches, ensuring the consistency of gradation of each batch of mixture and improving product quality stability. After weighing, the bottom discharge door of measuring hopper 4 opens, and the batch of batched aggregate is put into the mixing tank 5 below.

[0043] The mixing tank 5 is located below all the metering hoppers 4. It receives the proportionally weighed hot aggregate and simultaneously injects a measured amount of asphalt binder. Through mechanical mixing, a uniform asphalt concrete mixture is formed. The mixing tank 5 can be a twin-shaft paddle type structure, which has strong shear force and efficient mixing capacity, enabling it to complete mixing in a short time and reduce heat loss.

[0044] To minimize heat loss during system operation, heating and insulation layers are installed on the outer sides of the silo 11, the conveying channel of the conveying device 2, the outer side of the hot material silo 3, and the outer side of the mixing cylinder 5. These heating and insulation layers are typically composed of an inner layer of electric heating tape or heating film and an outer layer of high-efficiency heat-insulating material such as aluminum silicate fiber felt, aerogel felt, or polyurethane foam. This design can supplement heat when necessary and also prevent long-term heat exchange between the inside and outside. Especially in winter or low-temperature environments, this design can effectively maintain the material temperature at each stage, avoiding problems such as increased asphalt viscosity and poor coating caused by temperature drops, thus ensuring mixing quality.

[0045] The aforementioned components work together to form a compact, closed-loop production process: aggregates are directly lifted according to specifications and loaded into the corresponding vertical heating silos 1, eliminating the need for intermediate stockpiling; within the silos, segmented heating is achieved through heating elements 12 with increasing density; after reaching the set temperature, the aggregates are conveyed via conveyor 2 to designated compartments 31 of the hot aggregate silo 3; during production, each compartment 31 releases material into the weighing hopper 4 according to the proportion; the weighed aggregates enter the mixing tank 5 and are mixed with asphalt; heating and insulation layers are installed at all key points throughout the process to ensure controllable temperature and minimal heat loss.

[0046] In an optional embodiment, if a conveying device 2 is used, several compartments 31 can be connected to the outlets of the corresponding vertical heating silos 1 to reduce material travel and further reduce heat loss. At this time, the inlet of the metering hopper 4 is still located below the outlet of each compartment 31, the outlet of the metering hopper 4 is connected to the inlet of the conveying device 2, and the outlet of the conveying device 2 is connected to the inlet of the mixing cylinder 5. Material conveying can be completed using a single conveying device 2.

[0047] Through the above technical solutions, this application achieves the following: By adopting a vertical heating silo 1 that integrates storage and heating, replacing the traditional decentralized stockpile and drying cylinder structure, the footprint is significantly reduced, the material flow path is simplified, and the risk of dust emission is reduced; the arrangement of heating elements 12 with increasing density from top to bottom makes the heat distribution more in line with the aggregate heating law, realizing uniform and efficient stepped heating, and solving the technical problem that traditional flame heating easily causes external charring and internal charring; replacing fuel oil or gas combustion heating with electric heating fundamentally eliminates combustion exhaust emissions, meeting the requirements of green and low-carbon development; adding heating and insulation layers to key parts such as the conveying device 2, hot material silo 3, and mixing cylinder 5 significantly reduces the ineffective heat dissipation during transmission and reaction, improving the overall energy efficiency level; the overall system has a compact structure, short process, and high degree of automation, which is conducive to improving production efficiency and quality control accuracy, thus effectively addressing the prominent problems in traditional asphalt mixture production processes such as large footprint, high energy consumption, heavy pollution, cumbersome process, and uneven heating.

[0048] Example 2

[0049] Based on the above embodiments, this embodiment further provides a vertical heating silo:

[0050] like Figure 4As shown, the heating element 12 includes several groups of first heating tube groups 121. Each group of first heating tube groups 121 includes multiple first vertical heating tubes 122 distributed axially along the inner wall of the chamber 11 and multiple first horizontal heating tubes 123 distributed circumferentially around the inner wall of the chamber 11. Multiple vertical mounting slots 111 and multiple horizontal mounting slots 112 are provided on the inner wall of the chamber 11. The multiple vertical mounting slots 111 and multiple horizontal mounting slots 112 are staggered.

[0051] The intersection of any of the first vertical heating tubes 122 and any of the first horizontal heating tubes 123 is fixed by a first fixing clip 17. The first fixing clip 17 includes a first clamping part 171 and a second clamping part 172. Both the first clamping part 171 and the second clamping part 172 are U-shaped and are arranged perpendicular to each other. The first clamping part 171 is located in the vertical mounting groove 111 and clamps the first vertical heating tube 122. The second clamping part 172 is located in the horizontal mounting groove 112 and clamps the first horizontal heating tube 123.

[0052] The second clamping part 172 has first fixing holes 173 on both the upper and lower surfaces of the end away from the first clamping part 171. The inner wall of the horizontal mounting groove 112 is also provided with corresponding through holes 113. By passing the two ends of the U-bolt through the first fixing holes 173 and the corresponding through holes 113 respectively, the first fixing clamp 17 is fixed in the horizontal mounting groove 112, and at the same time, it plays a fixing and limiting role for the first vertical heating tube 122 and the first horizontal heating tube 123.

[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, a beveled portion 174 is provided above the first fixing clamp 17. The height of the beveled portion 174 gradually decreases from the first clamping portion 171 toward the first fixing hole 173. The beveled portion 174 prevents the aggregate from getting stuck in the vertical mounting groove 111.

[0054] In this technical solution, the heating element 12 is specifically configured as multiple independently arranged and controllable first heating tube groups 121. Each heating tube group serves as a basic heating unit embedded inside the hopper 11 of the vertical heating hopper 1, arranged in a crisscross pattern along the vertical direction. By decomposing the overall heating function into multiple modular heating units, spatial zoning management of the aggregate heating process in different areas is achieved, improving the flexibility and controllability of the system in terms of heat energy supply.

[0055] In an optional embodiment, the first heating tube group 121 is divided into three sections—upper, middle, and lower—along the height of the silo body 11. The number of heating tube groups in each section increases as the position moves downward, forming a density gradient distribution. For example, the upper section has 2–3 heating tube groups, the middle section has 4–5 groups, and the lower section has 6–8 groups. This matches the gradual heating requirement of the aggregate as it flows downward, avoiding overheating at the top leading to surface carbonization or insufficient heating at the bottom causing uneven heating.

[0056] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the silo body 11 is equipped with a diversion cap 7 and a support frame 8. The support frame 8 includes several support rods 81 and several connecting rods 82. The support rods 81 are fixed in a circumferential manner at the bottom of the silo body 11. One end of the connecting rods 82 is fixed to the top of the corresponding support rod 81, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the silo body 11, forming a stable fixed structure with the support rods 81. The diversion cap 7 is conical in shape, located below the feed hopper 14, and fixed on the connecting rods 82 to prevent the aggregate from falling and damaging the heating pipes inside the support frame 8.

[0057] like Figure 7 As shown, each of the support rods 81 has multiple fixing slots along its extension direction. The heating element 12 also includes several groups of second heating tubes 6. Each group of second heating tubes 6 includes multiple second vertical heating tubes 61 and multiple second horizontal heating tubes 62. The multiple second horizontal heating tubes 62 are fixed in a ring shape in the corresponding fixing slots. The multiple second vertical heating tubes 61 are fixed to the multiple second horizontal heating tubes 62 by multiple second fixing clips 63.

[0058] like Figure 8 , 9 As shown, the second fixing clamp 63 includes a third clamping part 631 and a fourth clamping part 632 that are perpendicular to each other. Both the third clamping part 631 and the fourth clamping part 632 are provided with a second fixing hole 633. The second vertical heating tube 61 is fixed in the fourth clamping part 632 by U-bolts, and the second horizontal heating tube 62 is fixed in the third clamping part 631.

[0059] The first heating tube assembly 121 and the second heating tube assembly 6 can be made of materials with high thermal conductivity, high temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance, such as electric heating alloy tubes, stainless steel sheathed electric heating tubes, or quartz heating tubes, to ensure uniform heat diffusion in the aggregate accumulation layer. Each heating tube assembly can be connected to the power supply line through a flange interface or clamp structure to ensure electrical safety and ease of assembly.

[0060] The first heating tube groups 121 and the second heating tube groups 6 are spatially staggered and intersected, which avoids thermal "blind spots" and reduces the thermal shielding effect between adjacent heating elements, thereby improving the overall heat exchange efficiency. At the same time, this arrangement facilitates the smooth falling of aggregates under gravity and prevents blockage caused by the concentrated stacking of heating elements.

[0061] Example 3:

[0062] Based on the above embodiments, this embodiment further provides:

[0063] Multiple thermocouple sensors 13 are installed on the cylinder wall of the chamber 11. Each thermocouple sensor 13 is electrically connected to a temperature control switch and is used to control the opening and closing of the multiple temperature control switches according to a preset temperature threshold.

[0064] Multiple temperature control switches are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding first heating tube group 121 and the corresponding second heating tube group 6.

[0065] Thermocouple sensors, serving as temperature feedback elements, are distributed along the height of the chamber at different locations on the cylinder wall, enabling them to collect temperature data from each area in real time. These sensors are each independently connected to their corresponding temperature control switches, forming a distributed control loop. This allows for the independent start and stop of the corresponding heating sections based on the local temperature conditions, preventing overheating or underheating of the overall heating system.

[0066] Thermocouple sensors 13 are contact-type temperature sensing elements, installed on the inner or outer surface of the metal cylinder wall of the silo 11. They can be fixed by welding or threaded embedding to ensure good thermal conductivity and long-term operational stability. Each thermocouple sensor 13 can be of type K, type J, or other thermocouple types suitable for industrial environments below 200℃. Its sensing end is in close contact with the silo wall or extends into the silo to a limited depth, such as 5–15 mm, to accurately reflect the temperature change trend of the internal aggregate accumulation layer. The number of sensors is set according to the silo height and heating zone requirements, usually no less than three, corresponding to the upper, middle, and lower heating zones respectively, to achieve vertical layered monitoring.

[0067] The temperature control switch is an electrical control device that receives an analog voltage signal from the thermocouple sensor 13, converts it into a temperature reading, compares it with a preset temperature threshold, and then performs an on / off action. For example, when the detected temperature in a certain area is lower than the set lower limit, the temperature control switch closes, connecting the power supply circuit of the heating element in that area; when the temperature reaches or exceeds the upper limit, it automatically disconnects, stopping heating. This control logic can be implemented based on two-position control (ON / OFF) or proportional control (P), depending on the system accuracy requirements and cost configuration. The temperature control switch can be implemented using a relay or solid-state relay (SSR), which has anti-interference capabilities and fast response characteristics.

[0068] Multiple thermocouple sensors 13 are connected to multiple temperature control switches in a one-to-one or one-to-many manner, forming a multi-channel independent temperature control system. For example, each first heating tube group 121 can be independently controlled by a temperature control switch, and the input signal of the switch comes from the thermocouple sensor 13 in the adjacent area, thereby realizing a "sensing-control-execution" closed loop. This arrangement makes the heating process spatially selective and temporally adaptable, especially suitable for the process requirements where the temperature gradient gradually increases during the top-down flow of aggregate.

[0069] Furthermore, operators can set the target temperature range for each zone in the control system according to different aggregate particle sizes, initial moisture content, and final discharge temperature requirements. For example, the upper section can be set to 80–120℃ for preheating, the middle section to 120–160℃ for continuous heating, and the lower section to 160–200℃ for heat preservation and shaping. The control system can periodically collect sensor data, such as every 10 seconds or every minute, and dynamically adjust the working status of each temperature control switch to ensure that the overall heating curve is stable and controllable.

[0070] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves refined management of the internal temperature field of a vertical heating silo. By installing multiple thermocouple sensors 13 connected to temperature control switches, it can sense temperature changes in different height areas of the silo in real time and automatically adjust the heating state according to preset thresholds. This effectively solves the problem of energy waste or insufficient heating caused by temperature runaway in traditional heating methods. This design not only ensures the uniformity and stability of the aggregate's tiered heating process but also significantly improves energy utilization efficiency, reduces ineffective energy consumption, and enhances the consistency and controllability of the production process, meeting the stringent temperature requirements of subsequent mixing processes.

[0071] Example 4:

[0072] Based on the above embodiments, this embodiment further provides:

[0073] The top of the silo 11 is connected to a feed hopper 14, and an exhaust port 15 is provided on one side of the feed hopper 14. The exhaust port 15 is connected to a waste heat recovery pipe 16.

[0074] By introducing exhaust and heat energy reuse paths into the top structure of the vertical heating silo, the high-temperature gas generated during the heating process is effectively guided and functionally converted. The feed hopper 14, serving as the main channel for aggregates to enter the silo body 11, is located at the top of the silo body, facilitating the direct feeding of cold aggregates of different particle sizes into the corresponding silos by external lifting equipment. This avoids the land occupation and pollution problems caused by the need for transfer through a stockpile in traditional processes. An exhaust port 15 is located on one side of the feed hopper 14 to release the high-temperature moisture and exhaust gas generated during the heating process due to the evaporation of moisture from the aggregates and the thermal expansion of some air, preventing pressure buildup inside the silo from affecting sealing performance and safe operation.

[0075] The exhaust port 15 is connected to the waste heat recovery pipe 16, forming a directional flow channel to guide the high-temperature gas that would otherwise be directly discharged into the environment in an orderly manner. The waste heat recovery pipe 16 can be made of high-temperature resistant metal pipe, such as stainless steel 310S, which has good oxidation resistance and creep resistance. The direction of the pipe can be flexibly designed according to the site layout. Optionally, its outlet end can be led back to the upper area of ​​the silo 11, close to the initial accumulation area of ​​the newly added cold aggregate, so that the discharged high-temperature gas can flow in the opposite direction under the action of gravity and slight positive pressure, and undergo preliminary heat exchange with the newly added low-temperature aggregate.

[0076] The diameter of the waste heat recovery pipe 16 should be calculated and determined based on the maximum exhaust volume and system pressure loss, and is generally in the range of DN80 to DN200. The length is determined according to the overall layout of the equipment, but it must be ensured that its end does not directly contact the heating element 12 to prevent local overheating from causing material failure.

[0077] The aforementioned components work synergistically: when the heating element 12 heats the aggregate in the bin 11 in stages, the aggregate closer to the bottom has a higher temperature. Heat is conducted upwards, accompanied by moisture evaporation and air heating, creating a natural convection trend. At this time, the exhaust port 15 becomes a key node for hot gas discharge, while the waste heat recovery pipe 16 reintroduces this gas carrying residual heat into the upper space of the bin, allowing it to preheat the surface of the fresh, cold aggregate, effectively creating a built-in "heat recovery preheating zone." This design can increase the initial temperature of the aggregate in the feeding section without additional energy consumption, thereby shortening the time cycle of the subsequent formal heating stage and reducing the power consumption per unit output.

[0078] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves the following: By installing a feed hopper 14 with an exhaust port 15 at the top of the hopper 11, and guiding and reusing the high-temperature waste gas generated during the heating process through a waste heat recovery pipe 16, the technical problem of energy waste caused by direct waste heat discharge in traditional electric heating systems is solved. This structure fully utilizes the existing thermal gradient, improving overall thermal efficiency and reducing the initial heating load without increasing external energy input. Simultaneously, it reduces the heat load and humidity concentration in the workshop environment, improving operating conditions. Thus, it achieves comprehensive technical effects of energy saving, consumption reduction, improved energy utilization, and optimized production environment.

[0079] Example 5:

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, based on the above embodiments, this embodiment further provides:

[0081] The production system can be powered by a solar power generator, and the solar power generator is electrically connected to the energy storage unit to achieve power storage and distribution.

[0082] The entire electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system draws at least part of its operating power from a solar power generator. This generator, composed of multiple photovoltaic modules, converts received solar radiation into direct current (DC) power, which is then converted into alternating current (AC) power via an inverter to meet the operating voltage requirements of various electrical components within the system. The solar power generator can be installed in unused areas surrounding the production site, on the roof of a factory building, or in other locations with ample sunlight. Its installed capacity can be rationally configured based on the total power requirements of the system and local sunshine conditions, thereby providing power support for key equipment such as heating elements, temperature control systems, conveying devices, metering hopper control modules, and mixing cylinder drive units.

[0083] An electrical connection is established between the output of the solar power generator and the energy storage unit, allowing electrical energy to be transferred between them. The energy storage unit typically comprises one or more rechargeable energy storage devices, such as lithium-ion battery packs, lithium iron phosphate battery packs, or lead-acid battery packs, possessing a certain energy density and cycle life, capable of receiving and storing excess electrical energy generated by the solar power generator during periods of sufficient sunlight. The energy storage unit is also equipped with a charge / discharge management module for real-time monitoring of battery status, such as voltage, current, temperature, and state of charge, preventing overcharging, over-discharging, or thermal runaway, ensuring the safety and stability of the energy storage process.

[0084] This configuration can also form a multi-source complementary power supply mode with the mains power. Under the premise of prioritizing solar power supply, it can automatically switch to mains power supply when the energy storage unit is low on power or when the load suddenly increases, so as to ensure uninterrupted production.

[0085] Through the above technical solution, this application realizes a technical path to replace traditional fossil energy for power supply with renewable energy. This implementation method effectively solves the problems of high energy consumption, high carbon emission intensity and poor operating economy in the prior art, and enhances the sustainable development capability and market competitiveness of the entire asphalt mixture production system.

[0086] Example 6:

[0087] like Figure 2 As shown, based on the above embodiments, this embodiment further provides:

[0088] The energy storage unit can be used for off-peak energy storage at night.

[0089] This technology connects the energy storage unit to the external power grid and utilizes the peak-valley electricity pricing mechanism of the electricity market to charge the unit during off-peak hours at night. Because the grid load is lower at night, power companies typically implement time-of-use pricing policies, resulting in significantly lower prices during peak hours. Therefore, utilizing this time period for energy storage can effectively reduce overall electricity costs. As an energy storage device, the energy storage unit possesses a certain capacity and charge / discharge management capabilities, enabling it to actively absorb and store low-cost electricity during non-production periods or when solar power generation is insufficient, for use in subsequent production processes.

[0090] For example, the charging process can be initiated during periods of lower electricity demand and prices at night, such as from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM the following day, to supplement the charging of the energy storage unit using grid electricity. This operation is independent of the status of solar power generation and can still be performed even during continuous cloudy or rainy weather or in winter when there is insufficient sunlight, thus compensating for the intermittent nature of renewable energy supply. At the same time, this strategy avoids the heavy use of grid electricity during peak daytime electricity price periods, optimizing the energy procurement structure.

[0091] Furthermore, the off-peak charging process of the energy storage unit can be scheduled and managed through an automated control system. For example, the system can be equipped with a time controller or connected to a power dispatch signal. When it detects that the system has entered a low-off-peak electricity price period, it automatically closes the charging circuit. When the energy storage unit's charge reaches a set threshold or the peak electricity period is approaching, charging stops and the system switches to standby or discharge mode. In addition, the energy storage unit can also be equipped with a state of charge (SOC) monitoring module to prevent overcharging or over-discharging and extend its service life.

[0092] By rationally scheduling energy storage units to store low-priced electricity during off-peak hours at night, the dependence on grid electricity during high-price periods is reduced, and the utilization rate and economic return of the energy storage system are improved. At the same time, it effectively alleviates the problem of uninterrupted power supply from solar power generation, enhances the operational stability and energy adaptability of the production system, and provides a sustainable power security path for green and low-carbon production.

[0093] Example 7:

[0094] Based on the above embodiments, this embodiment further provides:

[0095] It can generate electricity by using the heat stored in the stones inside its vertical silo, which can be used in emergency situations.

[0096] By equipping the vertical heating silo with a thermal power generation device, the thermal energy is converted into electricity by utilizing the temperature difference between the high-temperature aggregate and the environment. This allows the thermal energy that was originally only used for the heating process to be utilized in multiple stages, providing emergency power support for key components of the system in special working conditions where external power is interrupted or renewable energy sources cannot supply power normally.

[0097] Because the aggregate stored in the vertical heating silo 1 accumulates high-temperature heat energy after long-term, stepped heating, the aggregate temperature is typically maintained in the range of 160–200℃, exhibiting high heat capacity and stable heat release characteristics. This heat energy can not only be used to ensure continuous insulation of the aggregate, but can also be reused as a potential energy source.

[0098] The key to achieving this function lies in setting up a thermal power generation device. This device can employ thermoelectric conversion modules such as Seebeck effect devices. Its structure includes multiple thermocouple units arranged in series or parallel. One end of each unit is in close contact with the inner wall of the silo 11 or embedded in the silo interlayer to absorb heat from the high-temperature aggregate, while the other end extends to the external cooling area to form a temperature gradient. When a sufficiently large temperature difference exists, an electromotive force is generated inside the thermoelectric material, thereby outputting DC power. After being processed by voltage stabilization, rectification, and energy storage circuits, this power can be connected to a low-voltage DC power supply network, prioritizing supply to core loads with high requirements for continuous operation, such as the temperature control switch, thermocouple sensor 13, the control unit of the conveying device 2, and the weighing system of the metering hopper 4.

[0099] The thermal power generation unit can be arranged in a distributed or multi-point integrated manner. The installation location should avoid main material flow channels to prevent interference with normal aggregate feeding. It must also possess high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and long-term stability. Materials can be Bi2Te3-based or PbTe-based thermoelectric materials, combined with ceramic encapsulation and metal heat sinks to enhance durability. Furthermore, the system can be equipped with an automatic transfer switch to shut down the thermal power generation circuit when mains or solar power is normal, and automatically activate the power generation mode only when a mains power failure is detected and the energy storage unit's charge is below a threshold, ensuring the reliability and selectivity of emergency power supply.

[0100] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves the following: in emergency situations such as sudden power outages or interruptions in external energy supply, on-site power generation is achieved by utilizing the heat energy stored in the aggregate within the vertical heating silo to provide emergency power for the temperature control system, sensors, and some conveying mechanisms. Because it fully utilizes the system's existing high-temperature resources, there is no need to configure additional diesel generators or other backup power equipment, which reduces equipment redundancy and maintenance costs, and improves the system's operational resilience under extreme conditions. At the same time, this mechanism embodies the concepts of energy cascade utilization and circular economy, further strengthening the energy-saving and environmentally friendly attributes of the entire production system.

[0101] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0102] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system, characterized in that, include: Several vertical heating silos (1) are used to store aggregates of different diameters and to heat the aggregates in stages. The silo bodies (11) of the several vertical heating silos (1) are provided with crisscrossing heating elements (12) from top to bottom. The density of the heating elements (12) increases from the top of the silo body (11) downwards. At least one conveying device (2) is connected to the outlet of a plurality of the vertical heating silos (1) and is used to convey aggregate heated by heating elements (12); The hot material bin (3) includes several compartments (31), which are used to store aggregates conveyed by the conveying device (2); The metering hopper (4) is located below the discharge port of several compartments (31) and is used to weigh aggregates of different diameters according to the preset aggregate ratio. The mixing tank (5) is located below the measuring hopper (4) and is used to mix the aggregate and asphalt mixture weighed by the measuring hopper (4); Heating and insulation layers are provided on the outer side of the silo body (11), the conveying channel of the conveying device (2), the outer side of the hot material silo (3), and the outer side of the mixing cylinder (5).

2. The electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple thermocouple sensors (13) are provided on the cylinder wall of the chamber (11). Each of the multiple thermocouple sensors (13) is electrically connected to a temperature control switch and is used to control the opening and closing of the multiple temperature control switches according to a preset temperature threshold.

3. The electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the silo (11) is connected to a feed hopper (14), and an exhaust port (15) is provided on one side of the feed hopper (14). The exhaust port (15) is connected to a waste heat recovery pipe (16).

4. The electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The production system can be powered by a solar power generator, which is electrically connected to an energy storage unit.

5. The electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The energy storage unit can be used for off-peak energy storage at night.

6. The electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The production system can generate electricity by using the heat energy stored in the stone materials in several vertical heating silos (1).

7. A vertical heating silo, applied in any one of the electrically heated asphalt concrete mixture production systems according to claims 1-6, characterized in that, The heating element (12) includes several sets of first heating tube groups (121) and several sets of second heating tube groups (6). Several sets of first heating tube groups (121) are arranged along the chamber body (11), and several sets of second heating tube groups (6) are arranged inside the chamber body (11).

8. The vertical heating silo according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each of the first heating tube groups (121) includes multiple first vertical heating tubes (122) axially distributed along the inner wall of the chamber (11) and multiple first horizontal heating tubes (123) circumferentially distributed around the inner wall of the chamber (11). Multiple vertical mounting slots (111) and multiple horizontal mounting slots (112) are provided on the inner wall of the chamber (11), and the multiple vertical mounting slots (111) and multiple horizontal mounting slots (112) are staggered.

9. The vertical heating silo according to claim 7, characterized in that, The interior of the silo (11) is provided with a diversion cap (7) and a support frame (8). The support frame (8) includes a number of support rods (81) and a number of connecting rods (82). The support rods (81) are fixed in a circumferential manner at the bottom of the silo (11). One end of the connecting rods (82) is fixed to the top of the corresponding support rod (81), and the other end is fixed to the inner wall of the silo (11).

10. The vertical heating silo according to claim 9, characterized in that, Each of the support rods (81) has a plurality of fixing grooves along its extension direction. Each of the second heating tube groups (6) includes a plurality of second vertical heating tubes (61) and a plurality of second horizontal heating tubes (62). The plurality of second horizontal heating tubes (62) are fixed in a ring shape in the corresponding fixing grooves. The plurality of second vertical heating tubes (61) are fixed on the plurality of second horizontal heating tubes (62).

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