MIXER WITH HEATING JACKET AZA0955

Description

Principle of Operation

The AZA0955 consists of a high-grade stainless steel mixing bowl enclosed within an electrically heated jacket. The heating jacket is regulated by a digital PID temperature controller, allowing precise setting and stable maintenance of the desired mixing temperature.

Aggregates and bituminous binder, preheated to the specified temperatures, are introduced into the preheated mixing bowl. A motor-driven mixing mechanism—typically paddle or planetary type—ensures thorough and uniform blending of all components. The integrated heating system maintains consistent temperature across the entire batch, preventing premature cooling or binder stiffening during mixing.

Typical mixing temperatures for HMA range from 150 °C to 170 °C, although the AZA0955 supports a wider temperature range to accommodate various mix designs and material requirements.

Design and Construction Features

• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (SS 304 / SS 316):
  Resistant to high temperatures, abrasion, and chemical attack from bituminous materials.

• Integrated Electrical Heating Jacket:
  Provides uniform heat distribution around the bowl for consistent material temperature.

• Digital PID Temperature Controller:
  Ensures precise temperature regulation with real-time display and minimal deviation from setpoint.

• Robust Mixing Mechanism:
  Paddle or planetary mixing action ensures complete and homogeneous blending, simulating asphalt plant mixing behavior on a laboratory scale.

• Heavy-Duty Drive System:
  Equipped with a reliable electric motor designed for continuous operation under high-load and high-temperature conditions.

• Safety Provisions:
  Includes over-temperature protection, thermal cut-off, and motor overload protection to ensure safe laboratory operation.

Engineering Importance & Applications

The AZA0955 Heated Lab Mixer plays a direct and vital role in asphalt mix design and pavement engineering:

Accurate Asphalt Mix Design

Ensures laboratory-prepared mixes accurately represent field-produced asphalt, enabling precise determination of optimum binder content, gradation, and volumetric properties.

Quality Control & Acceptance Testing

Produces consistent and repeatable samples for Marshall stability, density, air voids, VMA, VFB, and other performance tests used for plant and site quality control.

Reproducibility of Test Results

Uniform heating and controlled mixing minimize batch-to-batch variability, improving confidence in laboratory data for research and compliance testing.

Versatile Laboratory Use

Although primarily intended for bituminous and asphalt mixes, the AZA0955 is also suitable for other temperature-sensitive or viscous materials, including polymers, resins, and specialty chemical compounds.

The importance of controlled laboratory mixing is emphasized in MoRTH Specifications for Road and Bridge Works and Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines, which rely on accurately prepared asphalt samples for performance evaluation.

Operating Procedure (Summary)

1. Preheat aggregates and binder to the specified temperatures.

2. Set the desired temperature on the digital controller and allow the mixing bowl to preheat.

3. Add materials to the bowl and start the mixer.

4. Maintain mixing until a uniform, homogeneous blend is achieved.

5. Discharge material for specimen preparation or further testing.

Routine maintenance includes cleaning the bowl and paddle after use (preferably while warm) and periodic verification of temperature controller accuracy.

Technical Specifications

Model Number: AZA0955
Type: Laboratory Mixer with Heating Jacket

Primary Application:

• Mixing of bituminous materials, asphalt, and other heated or viscous materials

Mixing Capacity:

• Typically 5–10 liters or 10–20 kg (capacity may vary by model variant)

Mixing Bowl Material:

• High-grade Stainless Steel (SS 304 / SS 316)

Heating System:

• Integrated electrical heating jacket

Temperature Range:

• Ambient to 200 °C or 250 °C (adjustable)

Temperature Control:

• Digital PID microprocessor-based controller

• Accuracy: ±2 °C or better

Mixing Action:

• Paddle type or planetary mixing mechanism

Motor Rating:

• Typically 0.5 HP or 1.0 HP (depending on capacity)

Mixing Speed:

• Fixed speed or variable speed (RPM options available)

Safety Features:

• Over-temperature protection

• Thermal cut-off

• Motor overload protection

Power Supply:

• 230 V AC, 50 Hz, Single Phase (or as specified)

Dimensions & Weight:

• Varies based on capacity and configuration

Standard Accessories:

• Mixing bowl

• Mixing paddle / beater

Key Features & Benefits

• Precise and uniform temperature-controlled mixing

• Ensures homogeneous asphalt and bituminous samples

• Digital PID temperature control for accuracy and repeatability

• Robust construction for continuous laboratory use

• Essential for asphalt mix design, QC, and R&D applications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is the main purpose of the AZA0955 Mixer with Heating Jacket?
It is designed for homogeneous mixing of bituminous and other viscous materials under controlled elevated temperatures, essential for asphalt mix preparation.

Q2. Why is a heating jacket necessary for asphalt mixing?
The heating jacket maintains the binder at optimal viscosity, ensuring complete aggregate coating and preventing premature cooling during mixing.

Q3. Can AZA0955 be used for materials other than asphalt?
Yes. It can be used for polymers, resins, and other materials that require controlled heating during mixing.

Q4. What type of temperature control does the AZA0955 use?
It uses a digital PID temperature controller for accurate and stable temperature regulation.

Q5. How does AZA0955 improve test accuracy?
By producing uniform, temperature-consistent mixes, it ensures that subsequent tests yield reliable and reproducible results.

Q6. What maintenance is required?
Regular cleaning of the bowl and paddle, inspection of heating elements, and periodic calibration of the temperature controller.