Crosslinked Polymer Asphalt Using Ester Bottoms Sulfur Carrier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of sulfur as a crosslinking agent in polymer modified asphalts poses fire and explosion hazards due to its powdered form, and existing fluxing components, such as gas oils or poly(alphaolefins), are valuable refinery products and not sustainable.
Innovation Solution
Ester bottoms, a renewable and recyclable byproduct of methyl ester refining, are used as a sulfur carrier to reduce fire and explosion hazards while maintaining the high temperature compliance and strain recovery rate of crosslinked polymer modified asphalts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sulfur is used as a crosslinking agent in powdered form, then crosslinking effectiveness is improved, but fire and explosion hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inert carrier material (such as calcium carbonate, silica, or aluminum oxide) as an intermediary substance to disperse sulfur particles. This mediator prevents direct contact between sulfur particles and ignition sources while maintaining the crosslinking functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between crosslinking effectiveness and fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution parameters of sulfur by converting it from concentrated powdered form to a dispersed formulation embedded in an inert carrier matrix. This parameter change reduces the surface area exposed to oxygen and ignition sources, thereby reducing fire and explosion hazards while preserving crosslinking effectiveness through controlled sulfur release.
2Ease of operation
If fluxing components such as gas oils or poly(alphaolefins) are used as sulfur carriers, then sulfur suspension and handling safety are improved, but consumption of valuable refinery products increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, valuable refinery products (gas oils, poly(alphaolefins)) with inexpensive, inert carrier materials (calcium carbonate, silica, aluminum oxide). These cheap inert carriers perform the same functional role of suspending and safely handling sulfur without consuming valuable refinery resources, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and loss of substance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the sulfur carrier from organic fluxing components to inorganic inert materials. This parameter change maintains the suspension and handling safety benefits while eliminating the consumption of valuable refinery products, as the inert carriers do not need to be consumed or processed further in the refining chain.
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 use of ester bottoms as a sulfur carrier in crosslinked polymer modified asphalts effectively reduces fire and explosion hazards, promotes sustainability, and provides cost savings by utilizing low-value waste products without compromising high temperature compliance or strain recovery rate.
Implementation Method 1
Crosslinking agents are used in polymer modified asphalts to stabilize the polymer network of the polymer modified asphalts
Implementation Method 2
Fluxing components, such as paraffinic and aromatic materials, help keep the sulfur particles suspended as the fluxing components having a higher viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods for the production of crosslinked polymer modified asphalt containing renewable products, such as ester bottoms or byproducts of soy oil or corn oil. Such compositions and methods may be used to reduce fire and explosion hazards associated with sulfur in preparation of crosslinked polymer modified asphalt.