Bitumen Separation From Shingle Powder Using Solvent Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shingle materials containing bitumen are not readily separable, leading to waste disposal rather than repurposing valuable constituents.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a blender, solvent tank, water tank, decanting tank, and distillation tank, along with pumps and a heat and solvent recovery subsystem, is used to separate bitumen from shingle powder through mixing, washing, decanting, and vaporization processes, utilizing solvents like limonene to isolate and recover bitumen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional disposal methods are used for used shingles, then waste management is simplified, but valuable bitumen constituents are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebitumen lossVSAvoidseparation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the shingle material into different components through mechanical grinding and chemical separation. The shingles are ground into powder, then bitumen is separated from the mineral constituents through solvent extraction, allowing each component to be recovered and reused independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A solvent is introduced as an intermediary substance to facilitate the separation of bitumen from shingle powder. The solvent selectively dissolves bitumen, allowing it to be separated from the insoluble mineral components, and then the solvent itself is recovered and reused through distillation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If shingles are replaced due to wear, then roofing protection is maintained, but bitumen constituents are discarded as waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebitumen wasteVSAvoidprocessing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces simple mechanical disposal with a combined mechanical-chemical processing approach. Mechanical grinding breaks down shingles into powder, then chemical extraction using solvent selectively separates bitumen, and finally thermal distillation recovers the solvent, creating a multi-stage processing system that transforms waste into recoverable materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of substance

If bitumen is separated from shingle powder, then bitumen can be reused, but processing time and energy increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebitumen recoveryVSAvoidprocessing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes phase transitions to facilitate separation and recovery. Heating causes the solvent to evaporate from the bitumen-solvent mixture, and subsequent cooling condenses the solvent vapor back to liquid form, enabling solvent recovery and reuse without degrading the bitumen product

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters such as temperature and solvent properties to optimize separation. By controlling the temperature during distillation and selecting appropriate solvents with specific dissolution characteristics, the process efficiently separates bitumen while minimizing energy consumption and maximizing recovery

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

Effectively separates bitumen from shingle powder, enabling its recovery and reuse while minimizing solvent loss and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The blender is configured to receive and mix solvent supplied by the solvent tank with shingle powder containing bitumen to produce a bitumen-infused solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

the distillation tank is configured to vaporize the solvent of bitumen-infused solvent to isolate bitumen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

one or more heat exchangers and/or a condenser to condense solvent vapor received from the distillation tank to the distillate solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS12590250B2System and method for separating bitumen from shingle powder

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 REDIVIUS INC

AI summary

A system for separating bitumen from shingle powder includes: a blender; a solvent tank in fluid communication with the blender; a water tank in fluid communication with the blender; a decanting tank in fluid communication with the blender; a distillation tank in fluid communication with the decanting tank; and a plurality of pumps for pumping fluids between various components of the system or out of the system. When the system is in use, the blender receives and mixes solvent from the solvent tank with shingle powder containing bitumen to produce a bitumen-infused solvent. Water is supplied to the blender from the water tank to wash an interior of the blender. Bitumen-infused solvent received in the decanting tank from the blender is separated from excess water. Bitumen within the bitumen-infused solvent is isolated within the distillation tank.