The Society for Asphalt Technology (SAT) EC, arranged a presentation on The Production of Asphalt, held at the Much Asphalt facility in Port Elizabeth, on Wednesday, 26 July, which was followed by a tour of the asphalt plant. The event was well attended by about forty SAT and SARF members.
Basically, asphalt production is like baking a cake. First all the ingredients are measured, then mixed together and heated, to produce the final product.
Nathan Jacobs of Much Asphalt, gave a broad overview of the two main methods employed, viz. the Drum-mix Plant and the Batch Plant. He covered the qualities of bitumen, including specifications and testing. He also explained the various aggregates used to produce asphalt, including Mix Designs.
The attendees were then split into smaller groups for the plant tour, which was fully operational at the time.
John Sponneck
SARF Regional Coordinator: Eastern Cape
