Aggregate Industries is continuing to lead the way in sustainability by implementing waste heat recovery systems at three of its UK asphalt plants. The installation commences Aggregate Industries’ goal of 10 implementations by the end of 2024, saving a total estimated 1,000 tonnes CO₂ per year.
Based on a thorough feasibility study of the recovery technology, conducted by Aggregate Industries and working in collaboration with Invertech Solutions –a leading maintenance contractor specialising in energy efficiency –the construction and building giant is committed to realising thesignificantreduction in carbon emissions that can be achieved using these systems.
Currently implemented at the three active asphalt plants in Liverpool, Astley and Darwen, the process focuses on harnessing waste heat from the asphalt manufacturing process to preheat air entering the dryer. It involves:
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Capturing waste heat : Extracting thermal energy from the exhaust gases at the optimal locations
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Pre-heating process : Using captured thermal energy to preheat clean incoming air.
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Supplying the Dryer: Directing the preheated air into the dryer to raise the thermal efficiency of the process.
Rory Fulwell, decarbonisation engineer at Aggregate Industries, comments: “By capturing and utilising otherwise wasted heat from the dryer exhaust, we can raise the thermal efficiency of the process and reduce fuel consumption and thus carbon emissions.”
“These simple systems can be retrofitted to most designs of asphalt plant, with potential efficiency gains modelled prior to installation using bespoke data collection and modelling tools”
Already, the active sites have demonstrated promising results, with a 12-15% improvement in fuel consumption when compared to the previous year, with improvements expected to stabilise between 6-10% over the course of the year.
Featuring an air- heat exchanger, the heat recovery system has a semi-self-cleaning design to allow dust and debris to fall free of the exchanger, easy access for maintenance and cleaning, and minimal resistance to flow. Additionally, it includes an intake fan sized to match the blower fan on the burner , steel ducting and a heat exchanger bypass valve.
Rory adds: “By recovering waste heat from the exhaust using a specially designed heat exchanger system, we are enhancing the efficiency of the rotary dryer, which in most cases consumes up to 15 million kilowatt-hours annually. The new system aims to achieve a 10% reduction in fuel consumption, translating to significant carbon savings.
“Using this technology helps us in achieving our Net Zero carbon strategy, putting us at the forefront of carbon management while reducing the impact of asphalt production on the planet.”
