Astec Blue Smoke System

Blue smoke system configuration varies based on the method of asphalt fume disposal: incineration or filtration. Asphalt fumes released from the silo are pulled through the ductwork by a radial blade centrifugal fan and directed to the burner for incineration. The main system exhaust fan pulls the asphalt fume-laden air into the flame of a total air burner. The captured smoke is ejected from a dispersion ring encircling the burner and the smoke particles are blown directly into the flame.

With the Astec blue smoke system, asphalt fumes from the silo filling and loadout operations condense within the fiberbed mist collector rather than in the atmosphere. Prefilters and coalescing candle filters within the unit filter particulate matter from the gas stream. The goal is to keep the blue smoke compounds above the dew point until they reach the inlet of the fiberbed unit.

The Astec fiberbed mist collector is an efficient solution for capturing and cleaning blue smoke from silo or loadout operations. Our fiberbed mist collectors offer distinct advantages that ensure reliable operation, low maintenance, and long filter life.

Blue smoke system duct routing is customized to suit the facility configuration.

Doors for inspection and clean-out are located in all duct branches.

A tunnel enclosing the entire loadout area is required for proper collection.

While Astec does not provide the tunnel, we do provide suggestions based on the needs for the individual operation.

Designed with maintenance in mind, the self-cleaning coalescing filters and access points eliminate much of the mess and the hassle of filter changes and inspections.

The existing air will have less than 5% opacity. Cleaning efficiency of the system is as high as 99.99%, based on particle size and compounds in the gas stream.

Inlet temperatures are monitored by a sensor. On the smallest unit a fresh air damper is automatically activated if temperatures exceed 120°F (49°C). Larger units pull sufficient ambient air to keep the inside of the unit cool.

• Blue smoke emissions from mix transfer operations are routed through ducting to the collector.
• A large knock-out area at the front of the unit allows particle matter to drop out of the gas stream before the prefiltering process.
• The gas stream enters the enclosure and passes through prefilters.
• Solid particulate matter in the gas stream is captured by the prefilters. Removing these particles significantly lengthens the life of the filter media in the coalescing section.
• The Astec prefilter is completely washable and may be cleaned several times before needing to be replaced.

Charcoal filters have been integrated into the Fiberbed Mist Collector, enhancing its ability to capture odor-causing compounds and improving air quality for asphalt facilities. This upgrade demonstrates Astec’s commitment to providing innovative, environmentally focused solutions that benefit both customers and surrounding communities.

Charcoal scrubbers remove pollutants from fumes emitted during AC tank loading operations. A specific activated charcoal filter is connected via tubing to the overflow pipe of the AC tank. As the tank is filled the fumes are pushed into the overflow pipe and captured by the filter, drastically reducing the amount of blue smoke that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. One filter system can accommodate multiple tanks.

Heatec Fume Condensers are used in vents of asphalt tanks to condense blue smoke vapors present in liquid asphalt stored in AC tanks. Condensing the vapors turns them into a liquid that drains back into the tank. This greatly minimizes the release of pollutants into the atmosphere.