Crumb Rubber Bitumen Anchoring via PET Derivatives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Crumb rubber modified bitumen compositions face challenges in storage stability due to settling of crumb rubber particles, leading to inhomogeneous dispersions and difficulties in transportation, and existing solutions are either expensive or inefficient in utilizing waste materials like PET and crumb rubber for higher-value applications.

Innovation Solution

A crumb rubber modified bitumen composition incorporating PET derivatives and bi-functional reactive compounds, specifically aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic compounds, is developed, which promotes the anchoring of crumb rubber in bitumen, enhancing storage stability and allowing for broader, more valuable uses of waste materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If crumb rubber is mechanically dispersed in bitumen, then the bitumen properties are improved, but the crumb rubber settles during storage leading to inhomogeneous dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebitumen propertiesVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A compatibilizer polymer is introduced as an intermediary substance between crumb rubber and bitumen. The compatibilizer has affinity for both rubber and bitumen, forming a bridging layer that prevents rubber particle aggregation and settling, thereby maintaining homogeneous dispersion during storage while preserving the improved bitumen properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite system consisting of crumb rubber particles, bitumen matrix, and compatibilizer polymer. This multi-component composite structure leverages the complementary properties of each material: rubber provides enhanced elasticity and durability, bitumen provides binding and flexibility, while the compatibilizer ensures stable integration of all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If crumb rubber modified bitumen is used, then waste rubber is disposed of sustainably, but the dispersion is difficult to transport due to settling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesustainable disposalVSAvoidtransportation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The compatibilizer polymer acts as a mediator that prevents phase separation and settling of crumb rubber particles in the bitumen matrix. This ensures the modified bitumen remains homogeneous and pumpable during transportation, while still achieving sustainable disposal of waste rubber through its incorporation into road paving materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If existing recycling solutions are used for crumb rubber and PET, then waste materials are utilized, but the solutions are either expensive or inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste material utilizationVSAvoidcost effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the waste materials through controlled modification processes. Crumb rubber is chemically activated to enhance its reactivity with bitumen, while PET is processed into specific particle size ranges and surface treatments. These parameter changes enable efficient incorporation of waste materials at lower costs while maintaining high utilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention recovers value from discarded waste materials (crumb rubber and PET) by transforming them into functional components of modified bitumen. Instead of simple landfilling, the waste materials are chemically and physically processed to enhance their performance characteristics, turning them into cost-effective additives that improve road pavement properties while reducing disposal costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 composition achieves high storage stability of crumb rubber modified bitumen, improving its rheological properties and anchoring capabilities, thereby addressing the challenges of settling and transportation issues while providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for waste material utilization.

Implementation Method 1

bi-functional reactive compounds... promotes the anchoring of crumb rubber in bitumen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

achieves high storage stability of crumb rubber modified bitumen, improving its rheological properties and anchoring capabilities, thereby addressing the challenges of settling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStorage stability:

Data Source

PatentEP3124546B1Crumb rubber modified bitumen and process of production thereof
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 INDIAN OIL CORP LTD

AI summary

The invention discloses anchoring of crumb rubber in asphalt using waste plastic particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET) derived terepthalamide along with bi-functional reactive compounds. The invention also discloses a process for the production of storage stable crumb rubber modified bitumen by incorporating various components such as waste PET, waste crumb rubber powder and bi-functional reactive compounds in bitumen.