Bitumen Composition with Recycled Synthetic Turf and Reactive Interpolymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a sustainable and improved bitumen composition that incorporates synthetic turf fragments effectively, addressing the complexity and cost issues associated with recycling and incorporating recycled synthetic turf into new applications, while maintaining optimal performance characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A bitumen composition comprising a bitumen base (70-99.8 weight %), synthetic turf fragments (0.10-20 weight %), and a reactive thermoplastic interpolymer modification agent (0.10-10 weight %), specifically an epoxy-functionalized ethylene copolymer with glycidyl methacrylate, which enhances the bitumen's properties and facilitates the incorporation of synthetic turf fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If synthetic turf fragments are incorporated into bitumen composition, then sustainability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A reactive thermoplastic interpolymer modification agent is introduced as an intermediary substance that facilitates the incorporation of synthetic turf fragments into bitumen. This modification agent acts as a bridge between the bitumen base and synthetic turf fragments, enabling effective bonding and integration without requiring complex recycling processes or additional processing equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If synthetic turf fragments are incorporated into bitumen composition, then environmental sustainability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the bitumen by introducing a reactive thermoplastic interpolymer modification agent with specific molecular weight and reactivity characteristics. This allows the bitumen to effectively bond with synthetic turf fragments at lower processing temperatures and with simpler equipment, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining sustainability benefits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bitumen composition is modified to incorporate synthetic turf, then sustainability is improved, but performance characteristics may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The reactive thermoplastic interpolymer modification agent is specifically selected with controlled reactivity and molecular weight to ensure that the modification of bitumen maintains optimal performance characteristics. The modification agent reacts with bitumen components to form stable crosslinks that preserve the bitumen's binding properties while enabling effective integration of synthetic turf fragments.
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 composition achieves improved stability, elastic recovery, and rheological properties, enabling efficient use of recycled synthetic turf fragments, thereby addressing sustainability and performance challenges in bitumen applications.
Implementation Method 1
a modification agent in about 0.10 weight % to about 10 weight %, based on total weight of the bitumen composition, wherein the modification agent is a reactive thermoplastic interpolymer
Implementation Method 2
a bitumen composition comprising a bitumen base (70-99.8 weight %), synthetic turf fragments (0.10-20 weight %), and a reactive thermoplastic interpolymer modification agent (0.10-10 weight %)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a bitumen composition, and a method of making the bitumen composition. The bitumen composition includes a bitumen base, a plurality of synthetic turf fragments, and a modification agent, wherein the modification agent is a reactive thermoplastic interpolymer. The method of making the bitumen composition comprises mixing the bitumen base, the plurality of synthetic turf fragments, and the modification agent.