Chattanooga Engineers Club
www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

 

NEXT MEETING___________________________ 

 

Monday, Mar. 9, 2009 - Noon - Chattanooga Convention Center

 

"Astec’s Warm Mix Asphalt Technology" - Astec Industries has developed a process that allows a reduction in the temperatures at which asphalt mixes are produced and poured on road beds. The technology allows lowering of mixing temperatures by about 50 degrees Fahrenheit from traditional Hot Mix Asphalt mixes that heat the asphalt to temperatures in excess of 300°. The immediate benefit is a reduction in energy. With the decreased production temperature comes the additional benefit of reduced emissions from burning fuels, as well as reduces fumes and odors generated at the mixing plant and the paving site.

Daniel Edwards, Lead Engineer for Astec Inc.'s Green System product line, will describe how Astec’s newly-developed mixing system injects water into the asphalt cement, creating tiny steam bubbles that lower the viscosity of the asphalt mix at lower temperatures. Edwards will show the resulting fuel savings and lower plant emissions that are attributed to the lower mixing temperature. He will also discuss the elimination of smoke and smell during production and paving. Edwards notes this technology has yet to be approved by any state Department of Transportation; however, several states are testing the technology on major highways and Interstates.

 

 

FUTURE MEETINGS________________________

 

Monday, Mar. 16 - Noon - “Seasoned cast iron:  What it is and how it’s used”

Speaker:  Keith Nunley, Engineering Manager, Lodge Manufacturing

Meeting Place: Chattanooga Convention Center

 

Monday, Mar. 23 - Noon – “Engineering the Enterprise Network” -

What you need to know about managing your own home computer network.

Speaker:  Chuck Chamberlin, Director of Telephone & Network Systems, Chattanooga State

Meeting Place: will advise

 

Monday, Mar. 30 - Noon – “Tennessee Aquarium:  Life Support System Design”-  Engineering technology required to protect the aquatic life.

Speaker:  Scott McKenzie, Vice President of Special Projects, March Adams

Meeting Place:  will advise

 

Monday, Apr. 6 - Noon - "Geo Thermal Wells used for new Hamilton County Schools"

Speaker:  Matt Williams, Campbell & Associates

Meeting Place:  will advise

 

 

PREVIOUS MEETING_______________________

 

Larry Martin, an Engineering Group Manager with McKee Foods, presented a history of McKee Baking Company. Founded by the late OD McKee and Ruth Dodds McKee, McKee Baking Company opened in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1934.  Later, the company moved to Colledgedale, Tennessee.  The company changed its name to McKee Foods Corporation in 1991.  About 6,000 total plant McKee employees produce numerous pies and pastries snack cakes daily and ship product to 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and U.S. military commissaries overseas.

 

A famous saying by Mr. McKee was, "There is a better way.  Let's find it."  McKee continually works to find better ways. By closely controlling energy utilization, McKee has helped the company bring energy costs down to 5-10% of product cost.  McKee has always practiced sound environmental practices, from minimizing excessive packaging while offering convenience in the multipack to recycling food waste into animal feed.

 

Terry Howell, Manager of Research and New Technology at McKee Foods, discussed how McKee has designed machines with eco-efficiency and high productivity.  The conversion of waste products to make ethanol has been studied.  Howell said, "The carbohydrate composition of McKee's food waste is similar to corn and makes a good fuel feedstock.”

 

ITEMS OF INTEREST_______________________

 

We are finalizing details with DOUBLETREE concerning our meeting location.  Read the newsletter weekly and note our meeting locations.  Looking for details on a local society meeting? Links to local engineering societies are available to you at: http://www.chattanoogaengineersclub.org/engineer/

 

 

QUESTIONS and SUGGESTIONS______________

 

If you have any questions, items of interest to the Chattanooga Engineers Club, or suggestions for 2009 programs, please contact Joe Robbins by phone at 423-756-4430 or by e-mail at jrobbins@robbinsbohr.com. You can find membership application forms, references to future programs, and historical data, and other info at: http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org . To receive future meeting announcements by email, join the Chattanooga Technology Organization mailing list at: http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org/email