Asphalt Moisture Sensor

The Moisture System Designed for Asphalt Plants

Why is moisture measurement important in asphalt production?

Moisture measurement at an asphalt plant is essential for ensuring quality control, consistency, and cost efficiency. Accurately measuring the moisture in the aggregates is crucial for consistent asphalt quality. This accuracy impacts nearly everything at an asphalt plant, from the metering of virgin aggregates and recycled material, to how much liquid asphalt is added. By monitoring moisture content, plants can optimize material use and reduce waste.

Aggregates with smaller particles, also called “fines”, have a higher capacity to retain moisture due to their small particle size and increased surface area, which enable them to hold water more effectively. Fines are essential for the performance and stability of asphalt mixtures, as they fill the voids between larger aggregate particles and contribute to the overall density and cohesion of the mix. Inaccurate moisture readings in fine aggregates can disrupt mix ratios, leading to inconsistent asphalt quality. This may result in issues such as reduced binder adhesion, premature cracking, or instability, ultimately compromising the durability of the road surface.

Why to add continuous, non-contact, moisture monitoring

You likely already know why moisture is important in the process – it’s why you have a lab/quality control (QC) person to monitor for you. No matter how good your QC person is, they cannot measure moisture 60 times/second as material flows by on the belt. Nor can they necessarily be at the plant right after a weather event has happened (maybe you have one person rotating among several plants).

This moisture system enables automatic adjustments to plant processes based on real-time moisture data, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention. As a result, it improves accuracy in asphalt mix production, reduces human error, and enhances overall efficiency. Additionally, integration provides a unified system that simplifies monitoring and decision-making, ensuring consistent, high-quality results and maximizing productivity. Give your quality people the opportunity to work on other critical components to your plant.

Another major benefit is that the system is non-contact, significantly reducing cost of ownership versus contact systems that need to be replaced more often due to wear and tear.

Benefits of integrating into your existing plant

	Mix Consistency Optimizes asphalt cement (AC) usage by accounting for moisture content, ensuring a consistent and high-quality final mix.
	Inventory Management Helps maintain accurate records of material usage and moisture levels, contributing to better inventory control and operational efficiency.
	Controls Integration Seamlessly integrates with Astec control systems for precise monitoring and real-time adjustments, ensuring optimal performance and consistent product quality.
	Scalable Solutions with Retrofit Capability Offers customizable options to fit into existing plants of various sizes, providing flexibility to meet the specific needs of different operations and without a complete overhaul.