Emulsifying Composition for Bitumen Coating Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for preparing bituminous road materials using bitumen emulsions struggle to achieve simultaneously good water resistance, high coating efficiency, controlled breaking kinetics, and storage stability, particularly in cold coating techniques.

Innovation Solution

A novel emulsifying composition comprising a copolymer with specific monomeric unit ratios and a combination of cationic, non-ionic, or amphoteric emulsifiers, which forms a bituminous emulsion with improved properties for road applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional cationic emulsifiers are used to achieve good coating efficiency, then coating efficiency is improved, but water resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating efficiencyVSAvoidwater resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite emulsifying system combining cationic emulsifiers (for coating efficiency) with non-ionic emulsifiers and specific copolymers (for water resistance). This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of high coating efficiency and improved water resistance by leveraging the complementary properties of different emulsifier classes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the emulsifying system by introducing specific copolymers with controlled monomer ratios and molecular weights, alongside adjusted emulsifier concentrations. These parameter changes enable optimization of both coating efficiency and water resistance properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If slow-breaking emulsion is used to improve diffusion into granular matrix, then coating quality is improved, but storage stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating qualityVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic breaking behavior through the combination of cationic emulsifiers and non-ionic surfactants, where the emulsion remains stable during storage but breaks controllably during application. The dynamic balance between emulsifier interactions allows the system to adapt its breaking characteristics based on environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The non-ionic emulsifiers and copolymers act as intermediaries that modulate the breaking kinetics of the cationic emulsion. These intermediaries prevent premature breaking during storage while enabling controlled diffusion into the granular matrix during application, bridging the contradiction between stability and reactivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If high mechanical shear energy is applied to disperse bitumen, then emulsion formation is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion formationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces part of the mechanical dispersion process with chemical emulsification mechanisms. The specially designed copolymers and emulsifier combinations provide chemical energy to facilitate bitumen dispersion, reducing the reliance on high mechanical shear energy while maintaining effective emulsion formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters of the emulsifying system to reduce the mechanical energy threshold for effective emulsion formation. By adjusting emulsifier concentration, copolymer structure, and molecular weight, the system achieves efficient dispersion at lower mechanical energy inputs.

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

The proposed emulsifying composition enhances water resistance, maintains high coating efficiency, controls breaking kinetics, and ensures storage stability, thereby improving the overall performance of bituminous emulsions in cold coating techniques.

Implementation Method 1

The latter is necessary to reduce the water/bitumen surface tension and to allow the medium-term preservation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

allow the medium-term preservation, i.e. approximately 1 month, of the bitumen in the dispersed state in the aqueous phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsion stabilization: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentEP4314162B1Emulsifying composition for bitumens

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 VALOCHEM

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an emulsifying composition comprising: - a copolymer comprising between 10 mol% and 70 mol% of at least one monomer unit A and between 30 mol% and 90 mol% of at least one monomer unit B, said monomer unit B being cationic or cationizable at acid pH, - and at least one emulsifier selected from the group comprising cationic emulsifiers, nonionic emulsifiers and amphoteric emulsifiers and mixtures thereof.