Bitumen Additive Composition for Lower-Temperature Asphalt Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bitumen additives for reducing asphalt processing temperature are ineffective or pose health and environmental risks, such as consuming heat energy, releasing hazardous substances, or causing brittleness.
Innovation Solution
A mixture comprising sulfurized C5-C30 fatty acid and/or esters thereof with monofunctional C1-C8 alcohols, along with di- and/or triglycerides, is used to lower the processing temperature of hot asphalt, improving its cohesion and reducing emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional bitumen additives (mineral additives like zeolites, waxes, or amines) are used to lower processing temperature, then the processing temperature can be reduced, but harmful factors increase (water vapour consumption of heat energy, hazardous substances with aquatic toxicity, brittleness at low temperatures)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the bitumen additive by using sulfurized fatty acids with specific chain lengths (C5-C30) and controlled sulfur content (1-29% by weight). This parameter change enables effective viscosity reduction at lower temperatures without the harmful side effects of conventional additives, resolving the contradiction between temperature reduction and harmful factor minimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material formulation by combining sulfurized fatty acids with specific physical and chemical properties into the bitumen mixture. This composite approach creates an additive system that simultaneously achieves temperature reduction while avoiding the harmful effects of individual conventional additives like amines and waxes
2Adaptability or versatility
If triglycerides from renewable raw materials are used as bitumen substitute or adjuvant, then effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms ordinary triglycerides into effective additives through sulfurization, changing their chemical parameters by introducing sulfur groups. This modification increases their effectiveness as bitumen adjuvants while maintaining the benefit of using renewable raw materials, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
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
The mixture effectively lowers asphalt processing temperature, reducing emissions and enhancing health and environmental safety during road construction.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sulfurized C5-C30 fatty acid and/or esters thereof with monofunctional C1-C8 alcohols... having a sulfur content of 1% to 29% by weight
Implementation Method 2
improving its cohesion
Implementation Method 3
The higher the temperature of the asphalt during road construction, the higher also the concentrations of the vapours and aerosols released
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to novel bitumen-containing mixtures, to a method for the production thereof and to the use thereof.