In infrastructure projects such as road construction and airport runway paving, the asphalt plant is the “heart” of the project, constantly supplying hot mix asphalt, the key material for the project. However, not all asphalt mixing plants on the market are created equal, with the Mobile and Stationary types each having their own unique characteristics. This article will give you an in-depth analysis of how to choose between the two, which has a direct bearing on the schedule, cost and quality of your project.
What is a Mobile Asphalt Batch Mix Plant?
The Mobile Asphalt Batch Mix Plant is a portable version of the traditional asphalt mixing plant, with a modular design that can be mounted on a trailer or skid for quick relocation. Whether for road construction in remote mountainous areas or temporary sites, the mobile mixing plant can bring the asphalt production process directly to the project site, greatly saving time and transportation costs.
What is a Stationary Asphalt Mixing Plant?
Stationary Asphalt Mixing Plant (SAMP), on the other hand, is bulky, requires more space for installation and is usually fixed in one location for a long period of time. Its primary function is to produce hot mix asphalt in large quantities at one location, providing an adequate supply of material for large, long-term infrastructure projects.
Key Differences Between Mobile and Stationary Asphalt Mixing Plants
1. Mobility
The “mobility” of a mobile asphalt plant is its biggest label, and it is designed for projects with frequent site changes. With its compact structure and easy transportation, it can be disassembled, transported and reassembled in a short period of time, which makes it particularly suitable for small and medium-sized projects in different areas.
Once installed, the fixed asphalt mixing plant is difficult to move and is a “rooted player”. But also because of this, it is excellent in stability, for large-scale projects carried out in the same location for a long time, such as the construction of highways through a number of cities, the fixed mixing plant can be a continuous and stable output of asphalt materials .
2. Production capacity
The production capacity of a mobile mixing plant is relatively limited, making it more suitable for small-scale maintenance works, road construction in remote areas or urgent construction tasks. These scenarios pay more attention to the quick response of construction and the portability of the equipment, and the demand for asphalt production is relatively low.
Stationary mixing plants are considered “big producers” and their strong production capacity can meet the massive demand for asphalt in large infrastructure projects. For example, in the construction of airport runways, a large quantity of asphalt of stable quality needs to be supplied in a short period of time, and the fixed mixing plant can take advantage of its continuous and efficient production .
3. Cost-effectiveness
The initial investment in a mobile mixing plant is low, making it very attractive for small construction companies with limited capital or for short-term projects. However, their operating costs increase in the long run due to frequent relocation and maintenance.
Fixed mixing plants, although requiring a large investment for purchase and installation in the early stages, have relatively low maintenance costs in the later stages due to their stationary nature, reduced transportation costs, and stable operation. From a long-term perspective, the fixed plant is more cost-effective for large-scale projects that last for several years.
Advantages of Mobile Asphalt Plant
1. Portability
The portability of the Mobile Asphalt Plant makes it useful in complex terrain and remote areas. In rural road construction, due to the limited local traffic conditions, after transporting the plant to the site, it can directly produce asphalt in the vicinity, which significantly shortens the distance of material transportation and improves the construction efficiency.
2. Easy installation and flexible operation
The mobile mixing plant is easy to install and can be assembled and put into production in a short time, effectively reducing the project’s preparation time. Moreover, it can be flexibly adapted to meet the needs of different projects, whether for small road repair or medium-sized highway construction.
3. High cost-effectiveness in remote areas
In remote areas, transportation costs are often a considerable expense. The mobile mixing plant is directly stationed on-site production, which reduces the long-distance transportation cost of asphalt and lowers the project cost. At the same time, its lower upfront investment also gives companies with insufficient capital the opportunity to participate in the project. In addition, the daily maintenance of the mobile mixing plant is relatively simple, which further saves operating costs.
4. Reduced environmental impact
Compared with fixed mixing plants, mobile mixing plants are smaller in size and operate more efficiently, generating less pollution. Moreover, on-site production reduces the mileage of material transportation, which reduces the fuel consumption and exhaust emission of transportation vehicles, and is more in line with the concept of green construction.
5. High efficiency of on-site production
The mobile mixing plant realizes on-site production of asphalt, so the construction team does not need to wait for the supply of external suppliers, and can adjust the output according to the actual construction progress, avoiding material waste and ensuring the freshness and construction quality of asphalt.
6. Enhanced project control
The mixing plant is located at the construction site, so the construction team can monitor the production process in real time and flexibly adjust the production plan according to the actual demand. In rural construction, facing changing weather and complex geological conditions, this flexibility helps to respond to emergencies in a timely manner and ensure the smooth progress of the project.
Advantages of Stationary Asphalt Plant
1. High production capacity
The high capacity of stationary plants makes them the first choice for large-scale projects. In large-scale urban road reconstruction or highway construction, it can operate continuously for a long time, supplying a large amount of asphalt materials stably and ensuring that the progress of the project is not affected by the shortage of materials.
2. Consistency and high quality
The fixed mixing plant is equipped with advanced production technology and precise control system, which can strictly control the parameters in the asphalt production process to ensure that the quality of each batch of asphalt is stable and meets the high standards, providing a reliable guarantee for the quality of the project.
3. Long-term investment value
For the long-term in the same region to undertake a number of large-scale projects for construction companies, investment in fixed mixing plant is a very valuable choice. Although the initial investment is large, its stable performance and lower unit production cost can bring higher economic benefits from the perspective of long-term operation.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Asphalt Mixing Plant
1. Type of Mixing Plant
Asphalt Mixing Plant is mainly categorized into Asphalt Batch Mixing Plant and Asphalt Drum Mixing Plant. Batch mixing plant is suitable for enterprises that need to adjust the asphalt ratio flexibly during the production process, while drum mixing plant can produce continuously, which is suitable for rapid mass production of asphalt.
2. Mixing Plant Size
The size of the mixing plant is determined according to the project’s asphalt production requirements. For example, if 3000 tons of hot asphalt is to be processed in 8 hours, a mixing plant with an hourly output of 400 tons is more appropriate. Considering the possibility of equipment breakdowns, material supply interruptions, etc., the actual productivity is usually 80% – 90%.
3. Transportation costs
Know the size and weight of the plant and plan ahead for economical and safe transportation. Some of the large fixed mixing plant components require special logistics arrangements for transportation, which will incur higher transportation costs, and enterprises need to take this into account when choosing the budget.
4. Equipment components and customization
Equipment components are customized according to production requirements. For example, when using a variety of aggregates, it is necessary to customize the appropriate number of cold material silos; according to the mixing plant output configuration of the appropriate capacity of asphalt tanks and hot mix asphalt storage unit; at the same time, choose the equipment equipped with a perfect pollution control devices, to reduce environmental pollution in the production process.
5. Mixing plant style
If the project needs to change the site frequently, the mobile mixing plant is a better choice; if the project is fixed in the same place for a long time, the fixed mixing plant is more suitable. In addition, if the fixed mixing plant needs to be relocated after several years of use, and the relocation cost is lower than the difference in the price of purchasing the mobile mixing plant, the fixed mixing plant is also an economic choice.
6. Choice of new and used equipment
When the budget is sufficient, the warranty service, technical support and installation training provided by the new equipment are more guaranteed; when the budget is limited, you can buy the used equipment with low frequency of use from reputable suppliers and hire professional engineers to test the equipment.
7. Screen layers
Different sizes of screens can accurately screen raw materials to ensure the quality of the finished asphalt is stable. Common standard sizes of multi-layer screens include 37.5 x 37.5cm, 25 x 25cm, 12 x 12cm and 5 x 5cm.
8. Hopper capacity
Hoppers are used for temporary storage of weighed materials, and their capacity should match the overall production capacity of the plant, with a common capacity range of 750kg – 3000kg.
Conclusion
Mobile and Stationary Asphalt Plants have their own strengths. Mobile plants excel in small to medium scale, temporary projects due to their flexibility and convenience, while stationary plants are reliable partners for large scale, long term projects due to their strong capacity and consistent quality. When choosing an asphalt mixing plant, construction companies need to consider various factors such as project size, construction location, budget, production requirements, etc. Only in this way can they choose the most suitable asphalt mixing plant for the project and ensure the smooth and efficient completion of the project.
