Ammann and Hangzhou Road & Bridge Group are doing more than making asphalt at a facility in Renhe, a subdistrict of Hangzhou – the capital of China’s Zhejiang province. They are changing the minds of colleagues in the roadbuilding trade.
“This asphalt-mixing production centre has raised the standard of the entire industry,” said Jerry Shang, Ammann China Region Director. “It has changed people’s impressions that making asphalt is messy and dirty – instead of a modern, clean, factory-style approach.”
Hangzhou Road & Bridge has a history with Ammann, which includes the purchase of a UniGlobe 320 Asphalt-Mixing Plant in 2011. In 2017, the company made another investment in Ammann with the acquisition of an ABA 320 UniBatch Asphalt-Mixing Plant.
Centre Accommodates Surroundings
The ABA UniBatch and the UniGlobe are at the core of the Renhe centre. The centre has a very small footprint and is located in a densely populated area, making minimisation of sound levels of the utmost importance.
Limiting emissions is another priority. Hangzhou Road & Bridge must comply with strict government-mandated environmental standards. Ammann’s plants help businesses meet such challenges.
“Both Hangzhou Road & Bridge and Ammann agreed on the production and operation concepts focusing on high efficiency, intelligence and environmental protection,” said ConCongcon Wu, General Manager at Hangzhou Road & Bridge.
“The company is committed to creating a team that understands technology and innovation, and is dedicated and responsible,” said Wu. “Hangzhou Road & Bridge is one of the first domestic industries to deploy and implement environmental, smart and energy-saving industries and it will set industry benchmarks and lead industry development.”
The Renhe centre reflects that commitment. It utilises the environmentally friendly ABA UniBatch and UniGlobe, with their reduced emissions. Hangzhou Road & Bridge has also developed “green” haul Trucks that lessen the environmental impact while optimising service and raising industry awareness.
In addition, the centre conducts research that provides technical support for goods and construction equipment. A logistical system that tracks production and transportation was also developed.
Consistent output levels have been maintained while all this has been accomplished.
“The current annual output of asphalt in the Renhe production centre is 600,000 tons,” Wu said. Capacity can be ramped up as needed. “During the G20 summit in Hangzhou, the Ammann Asphalt-Mixing plant generated 110,000 tonnes of asphalt mixes continuously in two months,” said Huasheng Fang, Production Manager of the centre.
That makes the centre the largest asphalt supplier in the city of Hangzhou. Fang appreciates the consistent output.
“The Ammann Asphalt-Mixing Plant has the characteristics of stable performance, low failure rate and accurate measurement,” he said. “It can achieve close coordination between testing and actual production.” The plant produces consistent mix, even when utilising high percentages of recycled asphalt (RAP).
Minimising Dust
Both Ammann plants utilise cladding to reduce emissions, sound and dust levels. This allows them to be run day and night without disturbing its neighbors, thereby ensuring uninterrupted operation.
Bulk storage sites made of concrete, also known as 3D silos, reduce dust. The silos are managed with advanced technology for precise measurements.
Many efforts are made to lessen emissions. “The plant emissions have been tested and are far below industry and national standards,” Fang said. “The exhaust gas emitted has been treated systematically with negative pressure gas collection, water spraying, an industrial range hood, UV photolysis, and plasma.”
An intelligent feeding system and negative pressure material collection help control dust.
Sound is also addressed. “Equipment is fitted with measures to reduce, isolate and eliminate noise,” Fang said. “Through the above measures, the noise at the plant area can be reduced by 5 to 10 dB, which fully meets the emission standards.”
as1 Helps the Cause
Of course the operating system is essential at such a technologically advanced operation. “The as1 Control System is very powerful,” said Yikai Mo, Central Operation Control Technician. “We can see that the entire operation interface is intuitive and the whole production process is clear at a glance.”
The as1 can improve the quality of the asphalt mix while reducing both material waste and energy consumption, he said.
Shang, the Ammann representative, expects more partnering in the future.
“Hangzhou Road & Bridge Group is a key strategic partner of Ammann,” he said. “There has been a lot of communication between Ammann and Hangzhou Road & Bridge. Dozens of solutions have been optimised. We are very happy and proud to help create this most advanced asphalt-mixing production centre, which is now standing in front of us.”
