Tacky Asphalt Pellets Dispersed in Flowable Fine Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tacky, deformable materials like asphalt tend to stick together and require high temperatures for handling, leading to energy inefficiencies and challenges in storage and transportation, with existing solutions like polymer encapsulation failing to prevent deformation and adhesion issues during storage and use.

Innovation Solution

A composition of pellets of tacky, deformable material dispersed within a flowable fine material, where the fine material occupies the interstices between the pellets, minimizing contact and allowing for stable, flowable, and transportable composite materials, such as asphaltic mixtures, that can be handled at ambient temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If asphalt is kept heated at elevated temperatures for handling and mixing, then it remains in liquid form for easy handling, but significant energy is expended and the properties of asphalt can be adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling and mixingVSAvoidenergy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameters of asphalt by forming it into pellets at ambient temperature. These pellets can be stored and transported without heating, then introduced into hot mix asphalt plants where they are rapidly heated and mixed. This parameter change allows ambient temperature storage while maintaining the ability to process at elevated temperatures only when needed, significantly reducing energy expenditure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments bulk asphalt into discrete pellets. This segmentation allows the material to be stored in a stable, non-coalescing form at ambient temperature. The pellets can be easily handled, transported, and dosed into mixing operations, eliminating the need to maintain large volumes of asphalt in a heated liquid state and thereby reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by stationary object

If asphalt is stored in bulk form at ambient temperature, then energy expenditure is reduced, but the material tends to stick together and become unwieldy for use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy expenditureVSAvoidhandling and manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides bulk asphalt into discrete pellets that maintain their individual identity during storage and handling. This segmentation prevents the coalescence and sticking problems associated with bulk storage while keeping the material ready for use. The pellets can be easily poured, transported, and dosed without requiring continuous heating to maintain handleability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes parameter changes in the asphalt's physical state by forming pellets at ambient temperature where the material is solid or semi-solid. These pellets are stable during storage, then rapidly transition to a more workable state when introduced into the hot mixing process, providing both energy efficiency and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If polymer capsules are used to encapsulate asphalt, then ambient temperature handling is enabled, but the capsules may interlock under pressure and prevent free flowing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambient temperature handlingVSAvoidflowability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameters of asphalt pellets through controlled cooling and hardening processes. The pellets are formed and cooled to ambient temperature where they achieve optimal hardness and flow characteristics. This parameter control ensures they flow freely during handling and storage without deforming or interlocking, while maintaining stability throughout the supply chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables the creation of stable and flowable asphaltic mixtures that can be handled and stored without the need for continuous heating, reducing energy consumption and preventing deformation and adhesion issues, allowing for efficient incremental use and mixing of small batches.

Implementation Method 1

the fine material occupies the interstices between the plurality of pellets in a manner that minimizes pellet to pellet contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation:

Implementation Method 2

allows the compositions to be flowable, transportable, and stable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlowability:

Data Source

PatentUS7691195B2Compositions of pellets of tacky, deformable material dispersed within a fine flowable material and methods of making the compositions

Publication Date: 2010.04.06 NITECH CORPORATION

AI summary

Compositions of discrete substances that are capable of being mixed together to form a composite material and methods for making the compositions are disclosed. The composition includes a plurality of pellets of a tacky, deformable material at an ambient temperature dispersed within a flowable fine material. The fine material occupies the interstices between the plurality of pellets in a manner that minimizes pellet to pellet contact.