Bituminous Conglomerate Recycling Apparatus with External Wall Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for recycling used bituminous conglomerate in the production of new bituminous conglomerate for road surfaces face challenges such as clogging, high energy costs, and reduced quality due to partial crystallization or burning of bitumen.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a recycling apparatus with a rotating cylinder and external heating of the first wall to prevent bituminous substances from depositing and clogging, allowing for the recycling of up to 80-100% of used bituminous conglomerate while reducing energy costs and maintaining high quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mixture of aggregates and bitumen is heated to 190°C to prevent clogging, then clogging is prevented, but energy consumption increases and bitumen crystallization/burning occurs reducing quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of cloggingVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from 190°C to 160-180°C range, and introduces external heating of the chamber wall to prevent clogging without requiring excessive temperature increase, thus reducing energy consumption while preventing bitumen crystallization and burning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary heating system where the chamber wall is heated externally to prevent bituminous substance deposition, acting as a mediator that prevents clogging without requiring direct high-temperature exposure of the bitumen mixture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the mixture is heated to 190°C to prevent clogging, then clogging is prevented, but bitumen crystallization and burning occur reducing quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of cloggingVSAvoidquality of bituminous conglomerate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the temperature parameter to 160-180°C range with external wall heating, preventing both clogging and bitumen crystallization/burning that occur at 190°C, thus maintaining manufacturing quality while preventing clogging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The externally heated chamber wall acts as an intermediary that prevents direct high-temperature contact with the bitumen mixture, preventing crystallization and burning while still preventing clogging through the heating effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If used bituminous conglomerate is fed into the drying apparatus, then recycling is achieved, but deposition along the wall causes clogging and machine stop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycling percentageVSAvoidcontinuous operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary heating system where the chamber wall is heated externally to prevent bituminous substance deposition, acting as a mediator that prevents clogging and enables continuous operation without machine stops

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by heating the chamber wall before and during the feeding of used bituminous conglomerate, preventing deposition and clogging before they occur, thus enabling continuous recycling operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 approach enables efficient recycling of high percentages of used bituminous conglomerate, reducing energy consumption, preventing clogging, and ensuring the quality of the recycled bituminous conglomerate for road surface production.

Implementation Method 1

heating the bituminous conglomerate in a mixing and drying chamber which is rotating and delimited by a first tubular wall, preferably cylindrical, to separate the aggregates from the bitumen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

at least a part of the gaseous substances present in the mixing and drying chamber is conveyed externally on the first wall, in order, when the burner is activated, to heat the chamber externally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection heating: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4217327B1Equipment for recycling of used bituminous conglomerate
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 GHIRARDELLI GIORGIO
  • EP4217327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4217327B1 patent drawingFigure 2~8
  • EP4217327B1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

A recycling apparatus of used bituminous conglomerate and an airtight support device for rotating cylinders are described.