Bitumen Odor Reduction via Specific Aldehyde and Terpene Mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing bitumen odor, such as those described in US Pat. No. 5,271,767, EP-A 1 235 768, and WO 2004/099352, require large amounts of active agents and may use harmful substances like benzaldehyde, while EP-A 1 772 158 introduces agents into the gas space without optimal results, necessitating a more effective and harmless approach.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of specific aldehydes, alcohols, terpenes, and esters is directly added to liquid bitumen in small amounts, with a diluent, at elevated temperatures, to neutralize foul-smelling substances, using alpha-hexylcinnamaldehyde, 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde, and other natural compounds, ensuring the mixture does not contain mercaptan or amino groups, and is mixed with mineral or vegetable oils as diluents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large amounts of active agents are used to reduce bitumen odor, then odor reduction effectiveness is improved, but health safety and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of active agents from large amounts (35-45% by volume as in WO 2004/099352) to small amounts (10-200 ppm), and changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting specific safe aldehydes, alcohols, terpenes, and esters, thereby achieving odor reduction while eliminating health hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive, safe active agents (natural compounds like linalol, eugenol, geraniol, alpha-terpineol, and safe aldehydes) that can be easily replaced and do not pose health risks, contrasting with expensive and harmful benzaldehyde-based compositions
2Ease of operation
If active agents are introduced into the gas space above liquid bitumen, then ease of operation is improved, but odor reduction effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by introducing active agents directly into the liquid bitumen rather than into the gas space above it, achieving superior odor reduction effectiveness while maintaining ease of operation through direct liquid mixing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a diluent (mineral oil or vegetable oil) as an intermediary carrier to facilitate the mixing of active agents with liquid bitumen, ensuring uniform distribution and effective odor reduction while maintaining operational simplicity
3Reliability
If harmful substances like benzaldehyde are used to reduce bitumen odor, then odor reduction effectiveness is improved, but health safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful benzaldehyde-based odor control method into a beneficial natural compound-based method, using safe aldehydes, alcohols, terpenes, and esters that provide the same odor reduction function without health hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing harmful benzaldehyde with safe natural compounds (linalol, eugenol, geraniol, alpha-terpineol, and safe aldehydes), thereby eliminating health risks while maintaining odor reduction effectiveness
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 method effectively reduces bitumen odor by 60 to 90% during processing, as determined by olfactory measurement, using commercially available bitumen and ensuring the active agents are harmless, with improved safety and efficiency by mixing directly into the liquid bitumen.
Implementation Method 1
It is assumed that the active agents mentioned, in particular the aldehydes, enter into a chemical reaction with the foul-smelling substances, e.g. with mercaptans and amines, and thereby remove or neutralize them.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for reducing the odor of bitumen by mixing active agents and a diluent into liquid bitumen, wherein the active agents used are particular aldehydes and alcohols and additionally, if appropriate, terpenes, ketones and carboxylic esters.