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Abstract. The relevance of solving the problem of energy saving, today, is enhanced by the requirements of an environmental nature, united by the term “green energy”. Solving the problems of climate conservation is inseparable from solving the problem of energy saving. Green, hydrogen energy, about which there has been a powerful and aggressive debate over the past decade, turned out to be directions far from solving the problems of both energy saving and environmental protection. The solution of both problems of energy saving and environmental protection at the present time and in the foreseeable future is being solved on the basis of the use of traditional primary energy resources, primarily natural gas. In this regard, the need to solve the problem of quantifying the thermodynamic perfection of heat-technological process for producing an asphalt concrete mixture becomes extremely relevant. This assessment is most simply carried out on the basis of the exergy method of thermodynamic analysis with the determination of the exergy structure of the asphalt concrete mixture flow, including thermomechanical, concentration and reaction components. The value of the concentration component of the exergy of the asphalt concrete mixture allows us to assess the energy efficiency of its production at asphalt concrete plants based on the modern exergy method of thermodynamic analysis; gives a quantitative estimate of the energy consumption for the process of mixing the ingredients of the asphalt concrete mixture in the mixing unit of asphalt concrete plants. The paper defines the structure of the exergy of the asphalt concrete mixture, in which the transit reaction component dominates, which determines the specificity of the exergy of the asphalt concrete mixture. The value of the specific mass concentration component of the exergy of the asphalt concrete mixture in comparison with the thermal component is small and the error in determining the concentration component, which cannot be objectively eliminated, does not affect the results of thermodynamic analysis.

The experience of developed countries shows that the development of the road network and transport infrastructure determines the intensity of economic ties and is one of the most important conditions for the development of the state’s economy. Optimization of the composition and production technology of asphalt concrete mixture – the basis of paved roads, is of great importance, both from an economic and environmental point of view. The production of asphalt concrete mixture directly (during the production process at asphalt concrete plants) and indirectly (during delivery from the plant to the place of installation) determines the energy costs for the production of asphalt concrete. At asphalt-concrete plants the specific energy consumption per ton of hot asphalt concrete mixture varies from 0.3 to 0.7 GJ. The range in energy costs is large. This situation indicates the presence of a significant energy-saving potential of asphalt concrete mixture thermal technology. The exergy analysis of technical systems proposed in this paper, which are operated in the asphalt concrete mixture production processes, makes it possible to judge the efficiency of energy use in their thermal units. This approach is expedient not only in the primary production of asphalt concrete mixture, but also for more environmentally friendly, energy- and resource-saving production processes for the operation of equipment during the regeneration of road asphalt concrete.