D&G Machinery's Warm-Mix Foaming Technology: Cracking the "Temperature Code" for Bitumen with High Rubber Powder Content

Against the backdrop of promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of transportation infrastructure, a project jointly undertaken by Beijing Zhonglu Gaoke Highway Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Zhonglu Gaoke) and Langfang D&G Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as D&G Machinery) has made big progress. D&G Machinery has carried out warm-mix foaming device retrofitting for a customer's 4000-model asphalt mixing plant, enabling the production of foamed warm-mix asphalt mixtures with a high content of rubber powder. This mixture has been successfully applied in the reconstruction and expansion project of the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Expressway. This technological breakthrough not only enhances the resource utilization of waste tires but also provides a new solution for the green construction of high-grade highways in China.

The production of traditional hot-mix asphalt mixtures requires high-temperature heating (usually above 160°C), resulting in high energy consumption and the generation of substantial greenhouse gases and harmful emissions. In contrast, as for D&G Machinery's warm-mix foaming device, only a small amount of water and compressed air need to be injected, enabling bitumen physical foaming at a lower temperature. This process forms uniformly foamed bitumen, significantly lowering both the mixing and construction temperatures.

It is noteworthy that this project has achieved the application of warm-mix high-content waste tire rubber powder asphalt concrete with lower carbon. The rubber powder, derived from waste tires, not only enables large consumption of solid waste resources when used in high proportions but also effectively enhances the fatigue resistance, high-temperature stability, and durability of the asphalt mixture. However, increasing the rubber powder content typically necessitates higher production temperatures and poses greater challenges in process control. The introduction of warm-mix foaming technology precisely addresses the temperature dilemma posed by high rubber powder content, ensuring workability during the construction of rubber powder asphalt mixtures while reducing energy consumption.

Industry-University-Research Collaboration: Bridging the Gap from Laboratory to Engineering Practice

This project is a good example of collaborative innovation through industry-university-research cooperation. As the technical demander and application entity, Zhonglu Gaoke worked closely with D&G Machinery, which provided equipment upgrading and engineering support. Through multi-party collaboration, Zhonglu Gaoke 's 4000-model asphalt mixing plant was successfully upgraded into an efficient device that combines warm-mix functionality with the capability to process high-content rubber powder. This achievement marked the successful transition of the technology from the laboratory to industrial-scale application.

Engineering Application: Green Practice in the Reconstruction and Expansion of the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Expressway

The Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Expressway, as a vital transportation artery in North China, has strict requirements for material performance and environmental protection in its reconstruction and expansion project. The warm-mix high-content rubber powder asphalt mixture produced for this project was used for paving the upper and middle layers of the road pavement. D&G Machinery's warm-mix foaming device features many advantages:

Environmental Benefits

Significantly reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption, while utilizing a large amount of waste tires.

Performance Enhancement

Rubber powder modification enhances the rutting resistance and crack resistance of the asphalt mixture, meeting the demands of heavy-duty traffic.

Construction Improvements

The warm-mix technology reduces on-site paving temperatures, improving the working environment for workers and extending the construction window.

Industry Significance: Paving a New Path for Green Highway Construction

The collaboration between D&G Machinery and Zhonglu Gaoke is more than just a technological upgrade of equipment, it also reflects the asphalt mixing industry shifting towards greener and more advanced development. The successful application of warm-mix high-content rubber powder asphalt technology provides a replicable and eco-friendly solution for China's highway reconstruction and expansion projects, aligning with the national "dual carbon" goals and circular economy policies.

Looking ahead, D&G Machinery will continue to advance innovative technologies, so as to promote sustainable development in transportation infrastructure construction through wider adoption in major engineering projects.