The Double Barrel drum has been proven through millions of tons of operation to consistently produce high-quality mixes. Its ability to produce mixes with up to 50% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) content without added emissions or fuel costs makes the Double Barrel drum mixer the most important piece of equipment for HMA producers today.

The innovations from Astec continue with the Double Barrel Green system. Adding the Green System to a Double Barrel drum mixer allows producers to reduce fuel consumption, increase production, eliminate smoke and smell and use a higher percentage of recycle by producing mix at a lower temperature. The Double Barrel Green system is a major break through in warm mix asphalt technology because it does not require the addition of expensive commercial additives. Instead, water is injected into the mix along with the liquid asphalt cement. The injection of water causes the liquid asphalt to foam and expand in volume. The foaming action helps the liquid asphalt coat the aggregate at a lower temperature.

Astec expands the benefits of its exclusive Double Barrel Green™ warm mix system to any asphalt plant owner or operator by offering the Green Pac System. The Green Pac System can be retrofitted to continuous mix and batch plants from any manufacturer.

With the Green Pac System, an operator can decrease fuel consumption 14% by decreasing the mix temperature just 50° F. Other benefits include the elimination of smoke and smell, an increase in production, and the ability to run higher percentages of RAP.

Astec New Generation HMA storage silos are designed to store mix for four days without loss of mix quality. Use the silos as a conventional surge bin during the busy time of day. At day's end avoid time-consuming start/stop operations and begin filling silos while continuing loadout. The next workday, begin selling mix right away from full silos. Nobody has to wait for mix. Uninterrupted production runs maximize equipment efficiency and reduce material waste.

Astec silo cones are taller and built with a steeper angle than other brands. The Astec design provides optimal material flow. Third party and Astec research shows the precise angle at which the entire column of mix flows down evenly to be 66°. The steeper angle of the cone provides true first-in/first-out inventory rotation, there is no mix buildup on silo walls, and this mass flow loadout minimizes mix segregation.