AARC SYSTEMS BLENDPRO 2.0

Asphalt Plant Controls

The AARC BLENDPRO 2.0 Plant Control system provides complete control of all aggregates, recycle (RAP & RAS), fillers, additives, and asphalt metering, exhaust fan air control, silo filling control, temperature monitoring, and all plant motor start/stop.

The AARC BLENDPRO 2.0 Plant Control system administers precise multi-point belt-scale and feeder calibrations, production, calibration, & inventory reporting, and unlimited historical log of all system alarms. On-line support and real-time on-line data are also available.

The AARC BLENDPRO 2.0 Plant Control system operates as a Hard PLC-based system. This means that all inputs and outputs can be in a centralized location (I/O Panel) with switching handled by Siemens I/O Modules that are controlled by an industry-leading Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), with an Industrial-Grade computer for the operator interface and database management. The programming and software are in the PLC, as well as the computer.

The AARC BLENDPRO 2.0 Software operates as a closed-loop System. This closed-loop system is established by the use of items such as:

• Auxiliary contacts to provide running inputs (verification of motor running) for all motors.
• Zero-speed inputs to provide verification of device movement.
• Encoders to provide consistent movement speeds on feeders.
• Limit switch inputs to provide gate and valve positioning for all positions.
• Bindicators to provide material levels within slat conveyors and silos.

While each installation of the software is fully customized for each individual plant, we strongly recommend that all input devices are installed and connected to fully utilize all its features. The more information (signals) provided to the system, the more the system can not only provide consistent product, but also prevent mechanical issues from becoming larger and more expensive problems.

ARC BLENDPRO 2.0 – Standard Included Items

• Total Asphalt Plant Control System
• Blending Control- up to 16 Aggregate Feeders, 4 Recycle Feeders, 1 Asphalt Pump, 1 Anti-Strip/ Additive Pump
• Burner Control with Fuel / Air Profiling
• Silo Control
• Motor Control- control all plant motors from computer
• Siemens I/O cabinet including PLC, Backup Power Supply, and Remote Access Hardware for Troubleshooting
• Plant Control Computer including, (2) 32” Monitors, Keyboard, Mouse, and Power Supply
• Backup Computer
• Cabling & Communication adapters between the PLC panel and computer
• Any necessary coordination with local electrical contractor(s).

Optional Items:

Our offered package does not include the following items: installation, motor control starters/devices, outside field wiring, external peripheral devices, and repairs to plant components. All of which may be optioned.

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Plant Configuration

The plant configuration is flexible; devices can be added or changed after installation easily by means of screens such as this:

Our system supports up to 16 aggregate (cold feed) feeders, and 4 recycle feeders. They will run as standard volumetric or (optional) gravimetric belt scale weigh feeders.

Mix Design

Intuitive mix entry: easy for operators to enter and update designs. Mix designs are simple to add and update. We also keep track of the number of starts and stops of each mix, so the most used mixes are at the top of the selection list when starting up. The operator does not have to change screens to start a mix; they only need to activate the “Start Mix” Dialog and select the mix and rate, then click “Start.” Stopping the mix is just as easy, and the operator can choose to select the reason for shutting down. this gets stored in a database for later reporting. We have absolutely no limitation on the number of materials that can be used in the system. Any number of materials can be calibrated to any of the feeders, to be used at any time during production.

Bin Assignment

Bin Assignments tell the system which ingredients are used by each bin or pump. The system allows bin “splitting,” which helps plants with fewer bins run at higher rates. It also makes mix design entry easier; the operator can simply enter the materials in the recipes as they appear from their lab or quality control personnel.

• Support up to 16 aggregate feeders
• Material flow sensors
• Volumetric or gravimetric (weigh belt)
• Multi-point calibration, up to 8 points per material
• Unlimited materials per feeder

Exhaust Fan Damper – Burner

The burner will track a target temperature of the operator’s choosing. The choices are 1) mix thermocouple, 2) mix infrared (if installed), 3) aggregate infrared (if installed), or 4) inlet (stack) temperature. This is achieved by means of a PID Loop control. The operator has the option at any time of turning the automatic control off by simply selecting the “Man” option on the burner detail control window. In this case, the operator has complete control of the firing rate by merely clicking the up/down arrows on the main overview screen, or by entering the % value directly.

Below shows the burner demand value (full manual control by operator) as controlled from the Plant Overview screen:

Below shows the burner demand value (full manual control by operator) as controlled from the Plant Overview screen: