DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A DIRECT-FIRED PROPANE HEATER TO PREHEAT THE BASE FOR COLD-WEATHER PAVING

A prototype direct-fired propane heater with variable gas rate and speed was designed for preheating the base to study cold-weather paving of thin mats. The results obtained were compared with those predicted by the computer program. The computer program was then used to simulate cold-weather paving. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that only three of the eight variables were significant. The effect of these three significant variables on the time available for compaction was found to be linear. A nomogram was constructed to predict the time available for compaction. From the results of this study, a 12 by 12-ft (3.6 by 3.6-m) propane heater producing approximately 300,000 btu/hr-sq ft (9300 kW/sq m) and moving 2 min ahead of the paver at a speed of 20 to 80 ft/min (6.1 to 24 m/min) is recommended as a final design. Propane gas consumption for such a heater is estimated to be 1,980 lb/hr (890 kg/h), which will result in a fuel cost of $138/hr.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1975/549/549-006.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=DESIGN+CONSIDERATIONS+FOR+A+DIRECT-FIRED+PROPANE+HEATER+TO+PREHEAT+THE+BASE+FOR+COLD-WEATHER+PAVING&author=N.+Shah&author=P.+Dickson&publication_year=1975
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309024544
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Flexible Pavement Construction. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Shah, N D
  • Dickson, P F
• Conference:
  • 54th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia
  • Date: 1975-1-13 to 1975-1-17
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 55-62
• Monograph Title: Bituminous Mixtures, Aggregates, and Pavements
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 549
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cold weather construction; Compaction; Computer programs; Costs; Design; Heaters; Nomographs; Pavement base course; Preheating; Propane; Simulation; Statistical analysis; Time
• Old TRIS Terms: Propane fuel
• Subject Areas: Construction; Data and Information Technology; Design; Finance; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00129487
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309024544
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM