AGGREGATE SCREENING
What is Aggregate?
Construction aggregate includes a wide variety of different granular materials, like:
- Construction Waste
- Crushed Stone
- Coal
- Minerals
- Gravel
- Recycled Concrete
- Topsoil
- Sand
- Slag
Aggregates Equipment, Inc. (AEI) manufactures screening equipment for different kinds of aggregates, offering solutions for any problems your operation encounters. Our equipment can handle large, difficult materials as well as moist, sticky materials. We can even customize our aggregate screening machines to meet your specific needs.
Aggregate Industry Growth
Over the years, the construction industry in the U.S. has continued to use more and more aggregates. About 60 years ago, the U.S. used about 3.5 metric tons each year. Today, the country is using more than 10 tons each year. After these aggregates are harvested at various mining and construction sites, the materials need to be screened, so they can get to the proper gradation before being used.
The Aggregate Screening Process
There are two different gradings of aggregate. Fine aggregates are finer materials (like sand or crushed stone) that have been compressed down to fit through a 4.75 mm sieve. Coarse aggregates are larger materials like river gravel and larger crushed stones.
As raw materials pass through aggregate screening equipment, they are separated into different usable sizes. Without the right screening equipment for your particular application, separating materials can cause major production problems. For example, the shape and texture of aggregates can affect the properties of concrete and how difficult it is to be used.
The Challenges of Aggregate Screening
There cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach to efficiently screening aggregates. Each type of aggregate has different applications, and each separate location provides a different challenge for aggregate screens. There are many considerations, including:
- Bed Depth
- Screen Length, Angle, and Openings
- Vibration Frequency
- Stroke
- Feed Rate
- Maximum Load
If you try to speed up production too much and overload the screen, it can damage the equipment, hinder screen efficiency, or cause spillage that contaminates your raw materials.
Aggregate Type & Condition
Another consideration is whether you’re screening wet or dry aggregate. If you take a wet aggregate and add too much water to it, the material may become too wet to screen properly. Screen blinding will occur when moist particles settle and get stuck in the screen’s holes, blocking other particles from passing through. Dry materials can get stuck too. Pegging occurs when similarly sized particles get plugged in the screen holes.
When your screening equipment is set right, it helps maximize your efficiency and productivity. Make sure you also continue to monitor and maintain the machine. This will help you continue to get the most out of the equipment and avoid any problems with the machinery.
AEI’s Aggregate Screening Solutions
The BIVITEC®
When you’re running aggregate materials through a screen every day, it will inevitably suffer from blinding or plugging. To overcome screen blinding, AEI has introduced the BIVITEC screen. Its dual vibratory process moves the screen in two directions, making it harder for materials to become lodged in the mesh and slow down production. And if you’re having problems with water in your material screening process, the BIVITEC is also able to fine screen moist materials.
The Ortner®
The Ortner screen is able to wash, rinse, and dewater material while using less water, power, and wear solution than much other dewatering and classifying equipment. This means that you’re getting top-quality aggregates while saving money each time you use the machine.
Contact us today to request a quote. If you’re wondering what kind of aggregate screening machines are right for you, please feel free to give us a call at 717-906-7059.