Bitumen Pellets Solid at Ambient Temperature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bitumen used in road construction faces challenges with elasticity, viscosity, and transportation/storage due to its high viscosity when crosslinked, requiring high temperatures for application, which increases energy costs and poses safety risks during transportation.
Innovation Solution
Development of bitumen pellets comprising bitumen, diacids, hydrazide derivatives, and aromatic compounds that are solid at ambient temperature, reducing adhesion and agglomeration, and allowing for transportation and storage without heating, while maintaining mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bitumen is crosslinked to improve elasticity, then elastic properties are improved, but viscosity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of bitumen by introducing specific compounds (carboxylic acids with 2-4 carboxyl groups per molecule, and their reaction products with diols or diamines) to modify the molecular structure and achieve desired elasticity without excessive viscosity increase. This involves controlling the degree of crosslinking and molecular weight distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite bitumen system by combining bitumen with specific additives (carboxylic acid compounds and their reaction products). This composite approach allows achieving improved elastic properties while controlling viscosity through the synergistic interaction between bitumen and the added compounds.
2Ease of operation
If bitumen is heated to reduce viscosity for application, then fluidity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of bitumen through chemical modification with specific carboxylic acid compounds and their reaction products. This allows achieving lower viscosity at application temperatures without requiring excessive heating, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate fluidity for coating and laying.
3Ease of operation
If bitumen is transported at high temperature to maintain fluidity, then transportation is feasible, but safety risks and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal and rheological parameters of bitumen through chemical modification, enabling transportation at lower temperatures while maintaining adequate fluidity. This reduces safety risks associated with high-temperature transportation and decreases energy consumption for temperature maintenance during transport.
4Ease of operation
If bitumen is stored at high temperature to prevent solidification, then storage is feasible, but energy consumption increases and bitumen properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal properties and viscosity characteristics of bitumen through chemical modification with carboxylic acid compounds. This allows storage at lower temperatures while preventing solidification and maintaining bitumen properties, thereby reducing energy consumption and avoiding property deterioration associated with long-term high-temperature storage.
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 bitumen pellets effectively resist creep and maintain properties over long periods, reducing energy consumption and safety risks during transportation and storage, and provide improved deformation resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The bitumen pellets effectively resist creep and maintain properties over long periods
Implementation Method 2
bitumen pellets which are solid at ambient temperature, notably at elevated ambient temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Bitumen granules including at least: bitumen, a compound of general formula R1-(COOH)z (I), a compound of general formula R2-(NH)nCONH—X—(NHCO)p(NH)n-R3 (II), and a compound of general formula Ar1-R—Ar2 (III); and a method for producing the bitumen granules and to the use thereof as asphalt binder.