Bitumen Pelletizing and Bag Pressing System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing bitumen blocks face challenges in accurately maintaining a predetermined filling quantity and weight, as well as the need for temperature-resistant containers and manual handling of bitumen, which complicates processing and storage.

Innovation Solution

A method involving forming bitumen droplets, solidifying them into lozenges on a revolving belt, filling these lozenges into sacks, and then pressing the sacks to form a compact bitumen mass, allowing for precise filling and shaping without requiring temperature-resistant sacks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If soft bitumen is filled into drums or temperature-resistant bags in liquid state, then the bitumen can be contained and transported, but the containers do not melt and manual removal is required, increasing handling complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidcontainer system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of bitumen from liquid to solid form through controlled cooling and solidification processes. Bitumen is extruded in a semi-solid state, formed into pellets, and then filled into bags in this solidified form, eliminating the need for temperature-resistant containers and manual handling of liquid bitumen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the bitumen mass into individual pellets or granules through extrusion and cutting mechanisms. This segmentation allows the bitumen to be filled into bags in discrete units, facilitating automated handling and eliminating the need for large-volume liquid filling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If bitumen sheets are shrunk into bags, then the bags can be melted during processing, but the fill quantity cannot be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefill quantity precisionVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by pre-forming bitumen into standardized pellets with controlled weight and dimensions before filling. This pre-preparation enables precise fill quantity control while maintaining high processing speeds through automated filling mechanisms that can rapidly dispense a predetermined number of pellets into bags.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If bitumen is extruded and solidified into pellets, then precise fill quantity control is achieved, but additional processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefill quantity precisionVSAvoidprocess steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into integrated equipment: the extrusion system simultaneously forms and cuts pellets, the cooling system solidifies the bitumen while conveying it, and the filling system automatically dispenses precise quantities. This consolidation reduces the number of separate processing steps and equipment needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Volume of stationary object

If standard bags are used instead of temperature-resistant bags, then storage space is reduced and handling is simplified, but the bags must be melted during processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidprocessing temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter profile from maintaining high temperatures throughout storage and handling to using ambient temperature for storage with temperature application only during the final melting/processing stage. This allows standard bags to be used for storage and transport, reducing storage space requirements and simplifying handling.

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

Enables precise filling and shaping of bitumen blocks with high penetration values, reducing handling difficulties and storage space, while allowing for the use of standard sacks that can be melted during processing.

Implementation Method 1

solidifying the bitumen droplets on the belt of the belt cooler into pastilles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

The bitumen droplets solidify into solid particles on the belt of the belt cooler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

the pastilles combine at least partially within the bags to form a compact bitumen mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2896680B1Device and method for manufacturing bitumen blocks
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 IPCO GERMANY GMBH
  • EP2896680B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2896680B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing bitumen blocks, comprising a droplet former for generating bitumen droplets from molten bitumen, a belt cooler with a circulating belt for cooling and solidifying the bitumen droplets deposited on the circulating belt into pastilles, and a filling device for filling the pastilles into bags, wherein the pastilles at least partially combine within the bags filled with pastilles to form a compact bitumen mass.