Written by MYRISSA KRENZLER
Citizen staff
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Thursday, 17 July 2008 |
Columbia Bitulithic held a warm mix asphalt presentation in their yard to show a new more environmentally friendly asphalt. They put an additive into the mixture to change the viscosity of it so it can be used at lower temperatures, creating fewer emissions. (Citizen photo by Brent Braaten)
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The product, known as DuraClime Series Branded Asphalt, is said to lower emissions released during paving by allowing asphalt to be processed at 20 C to 30 C cooler than conventional methods by adding an additive called HyperTherm to the mixing stage.
By mixing at a cooler temperature, Bob Forfylow, director of quality for asphalt, paving and construction at Lafarge Canada, said the asphalt has better compaction, emits less smell, smoke and steam and is less susceptible to rutting.
Roy Bertram, general manager of the B.C. Interior district of Lafarge Canada, said technology like this is the future of paving. "Because it is so much more environmentally friendly than conventional hot mix asphalt and with all the focus on the environment and carbon taxes and going green, these kinds of processes, I think, are going to become very popular," he said.
Ed Shearer, city supervisor of streets operation, said the product is something the city is aware of and interested in. "Anything to help out the environment we're interested in," he said. "But It has to be cost effective."
Forfylow said he didn't know exactly how much the technology costs, but he said in the long run, it's cheaper than conventional methods because less fuel is needed to heat the asphalt.
Bertram said Columbia Bitulithic in Prince George will be getting a new plant to make the product next spring.
DuraClime technology has been used in Canada since 2005 in centres like Calgary and Vancouver and in Europe since the early 1990s. Forfylow said still to early to know if it holds up as well as regular concrete but he said he looks at it with "cautious optimism."
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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