QPR Production Instructions and Testing Procedures
QPR liquid oil blend will arrive at your facility at a temperature range of 180-220ºF (82-114° C) and will be pumped off the tanker using your asphalt pump. If no asphalt tank is available, the tanker will be recirculated and become the tank. The tanker will have appropriate fittings to connect to your hose.
Before production – warm up your plant to 150-160° F (65-71° C) and check aggregate temperature prior to QPR liquid oil blend introduction. Run your burner on low fire and dry the aggregate to a temperature of 150-160ºF (65-71° C) and check the temperature using an asphalt thermometer. It is important to maintain a discharge temperature of finished QPR product at 150-160ºF (65-71° C). This is done so that the light ends of the oil are not burned off. Burner chart must be dated and kept for review when the QPR oil sample is picked up. (NEVER exceed a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit or 82 degrees Celsius!)
Once the asphalt plant is on line, please insure all lines carrying regular asphalt cement are closed and the lines are clean. We do not want any contamination with the QPR liquid oil blend if it will be pumped directly off the tanker.
Aggregate sizing is important for maximum performance and workability; therefore your standard 3/8″ minus material will be separated in your hot bins into their respective sizes. Gradation and prior approved aggregate by QPR Inc. must be followed without deviation, as this will achieve a finished guaranteed product.
Your one bin will have fine aggregates, your two bin will retain more of a ¼” to 3/8″ material and your three bin will hold your oversize aggregate. I would suggest pulling the aggregate from your number two bin which should give you a clean properly gradated mix. Your production may go a little slower and your one and three bins may need to be cleaned out, as they become full. This doesn’t pertain to drum mix or portable plants.
Follow aggregate graduation specifications for QPR. I would suggest you start your mix at 5% liquid or 100lbs. per finished ton or 5.5% liquid or 110lbs finished metric tonne. Dry mix time 3 to 5 seconds and wet mix should be 40 seconds to ensure proper coating.
Once the asphalt plant is warmed up and on line, starts the QPR production. Produce approximately two truckloads of finished product and begin the testing procedures on the second truckload of finished product. (This will allow the plant time to line up and have temperature control.
Stripping Test
Take a Mason jar and fill it half full with cold water from a tap. Place a small amount of QPR product into the jar of water and shake vigorously for one minute. Drain water and visually examine product on paper towel. All aggregate should be 100% coated. If stripping is visible, plant temperatures must be raised approximately 20º to 170-180ºF (72-82° C) to eliminate surface moisture on the aggregate. Increase wet mix cycle time an additional 5 seconds to 45 seconds and produce another 20 tons of finished product and retest material as stated.
Blotter Test
Place a small amount of finished product on a piece of paper towel and roll material by grasping each side of paper towel and moving it in a back and forth motion. Product should cling together in a cigar shape with uniformity. Take material off paper towel and examine towel for uniform oil blots on paper. Normally, a 5% per ton or per metric tonne mixing ratio is acceptable with most aggregates – the mix design, created with your aggregate, supplied to you from our lab will dictate the percentage of QPR oil to be mixed.
Boil Test
Place a small amount of finished QPR in a beaker or pan and add enough water to adequately cover the material. Place on a burner and stir until material comes to a boil. Drain water and place QPR on paper towel and visually examine for stripping. Product should remain 95 to 100% coated. This is a severe test for any cold patch product. If major stripping is observed increase plant temperature an additional 10ºF. The most important point to remember is that all aggregate surface moisture should be removed which affects the coating of the material. Do not exceed 180ºF (82° C) on the aggregate. Continually check discharge temperature with asphalt thermometer and run material as cool as possible ensuring that the material is not stripping. Check temperature after each 40 tons produced to maintain consistency. Re-test material as stated every 80 to 100 tons.
Please do not deviate from these guidelines, approved aggregate source, and the submitted mix design (JMF), as this will nullify the product performance guarantee!
Stockpile material on a clean, hard surface to a maximum height of 8 to 10 feet to allow material to cool and cure. You may ship material 24 hours after production.
For questions, problems, or comments call 1-800-388-4338