MICROWAVE RECYCLING OF RECLAIMED ASPHALT PAVEMENT

A major reclaimable resource that has been under-used thus far is asphalt concrete pavement. Only about 20% of the available reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is recycled. Most state and local government agencies do not make maximum use of RAP. A noteworthy exception to this is Los Angeles, the second largest city in the U.S. Each year the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Maintenance crews remove about 250,000 tons of RAP, 90,000 tons of which is recycled as 15% of the hot mix. In November 1987, a contract was signed with CYCLEAN, Inc., as an asphalt recycling firm based in Georgetown, Texas. CYCLEAN uses microwave technology to produce hot mix made totally from recycled RAP, thus processing Los Angeles' excess 160,000 tons into a 100% RAP mixture. The contract protects against inferior quality mix, and to date product quality has been outstanding. The company produces up to 900 tpd of recycled hot mix. The city pays $13/ton for the RAP processing and about $2 for the rejuvenating agent added to each ton of RAP. Marshall test results show an average stability of more than 2,400 lb and an average flow of 12 dmm (tenths of a millimeter). A control test is underway on two of the city's major arterials. To date, both the virgin mix and recycled mix sections are holding up equally well in appearance. Without the detailed grid map of the sections, it would be difficult to tell the two mixes apart.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Corporate Authors:

  Public Works Journal Corporation

  200 South Broad Street
  Ridgewood, NJ  United States  07451
• Authors:
  • HOWARD, P D
  • Reed, D A
• Publication Date: 1989-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 53-55
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 120
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt concrete; Building heating; Cost effectiveness; Marshall test; Microwaves; Quality control; Recycling; Test sections
• Uncontrolled Terms: Quality
• Geographic Terms: Los Angeles (California)
• Old TRIS Terms: Microwave heating; Test results
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00488687
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 1989 12:00AM