Every road you drive on and every parking lot you pull into has something in common: asphalt. It’s one of the most widely used construction materials in the world, prized for its durability and flexibility. But how exactly is asphalt made—and how does WM Kelley play a role in the process?

The Asphalt Production Process

At its core, asphalt is a blend of aggregates—crushed stone, gravel, and sand—bound together with bitumen. A shorter word is “tar.” For the mix to hold properly, the aggregates must be thoroughly heated and dried before the binder is added.

Here’s how it works:

1. Feeding the drum: The raw aggregate mix is fed into a rotary drum dryer.
2. The drying curtain: As the drum rotates, the aggregate falls in a curtain from top to bottom.
3. High heat: A powerful burner flame passes through this curtain, heating the aggregate to around 300–350°F.
4. Moisture removal: At this temperature, moisture is driven out of the material, creating the dry, clean surface needed for bitumen to adhere effectively.

Without thorough drying, the asphalt mix won’t bond properly. This leads to weaker, shorter-lasting pavement.

WM Kelley’s Contribution: Manufacturing High-Performance Burners For Our Client

That’s where WM Kelley comes in. We manufacture the asphalt burners our customer designs that supply the intense, consistent heat required in this process. Each burner we build is rigorously tested in our shop to verify it produces the right amount of draft for efficient operation.

Our testing doesn’t just check performance—it measures sound levels as well. Asphalt plants can be loud environments, and our customer’s burners are rated among the quietest on the market, reducing noise for operators and surrounding communities.

The Role of Airflow

While airflow itself isn’t the direct driver of heating, it’s a critical part of the system. Proper ventilation and exhaust remove steam and dust from the drum, ensuring clean and efficient drying. The burner units we manufacture feature variable-speed controls, allowing operators to fine-tune airflow for optimal performance.

Built for Reliability and Efficiency

From precision draft testing to variable airflow control, every WM Kelley-built burner is designed to keep asphalt production running smoothly, quietly, and reliably. It’s one more way we help our customer deliver the equipment that produces the strong, durable roads and surfaces we all depend on.