(1→3)-β-D-glucan Stabilizer for Bitumen Emulsion Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bitumen emulsions face challenges with storage stability and rapid breaking, especially when using harder bitumen grades, which affects their usability and processing efficiency in road construction and repair, as they tend to separate and become sticky, causing environmental issues and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The use of (1→3)-β-D-glucan as an emulsion stabilizer, specifically in bitumen binder compositions, which provides excellent storage stability and rapid breaking properties without significantly increasing viscosity, even at low concentrations, and in combination with biodegradable cationic emulsifying agents like betaine esters and choline derivatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional emulsifiers are used to stabilize bitumen emulsions, then storage stability is improved, but breaking time increases and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of emulsifiers to create biodegradable cationic emulsifiers with specific properties. These modified emulsifiers achieve both rapid breaking and good storage stability by changing the chemical parameters of the emulsifying system, allowing the emulsion to break quickly upon application while remaining stable during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining biodegradable cationic emulsifiers with specific polymers and additives to create a multi-component emulsion system. This composite approach allows the emulsion to exhibit both rapid breaking properties and excellent storage stability, as each component contributes different functional properties that work together to resolve the contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If harder bitumen grades are used to reduce environmental contamination, then storage stability improves, but viscosity increases and processing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using biodegradable cationic emulsifiers that modify the rheological properties of the emulsion. This allows harder bitumen grades to be processed at lower temperatures and with reduced viscosity during application, while maintaining their storage stability benefits, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses biodegradable cationic emulsifiers as intermediaries between harder bitumen grades and the aqueous phase. These emulsifiers facilitate the dispersion and processing of hard bitumen by reducing interfacial tension and improving wetting properties, making harder grades easier to handle during application while preserving their stability advantages.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional emulsifiers are used, then emulsion stability is maintained, but environmental contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of using biodegradable emulsifiers that break down into harmless substances after performing their stabilizing function. These short-living emulsifiers provide necessary emulsion stability during storage and application, then degrade naturally to eliminate environmental contamination, replacing persistent conventional emulsifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes accelerated oxidation through biodegradation processes where microorganisms rapidly break down the biodegradable cationic emulsifiers after they have fulfilled their stabilizing role. This accelerated natural degradation ensures the emulsifiers do not persist in the environment, reducing contamination while maintaining emulsion stability during the functional period.
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 (1→3)-β-D-glucan enhances the storage and shear stability of bitumen emulsions, allowing for the use of harder bitumen grades while maintaining rapid breaking, reducing environmental contamination, and improving processing efficiency, with minimal impact on viscosity and pH stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
The stabilisation of a two-phase emulsion involves decreasing the destabilisation rate which may be achieved by reducing the mobility of droplets dispersed in the continuous phase or liquid (i.e. by increasing the viscosity of the emulsion)
Implementation Method 2
The stabilisation of a two-phase emulsion involves decreasing the destabilisation rate which may be achieved by reducing the mobility of droplets dispersed in the continuous phase or liquid (i.e. by increasing the viscosity of the emulsion), by the insertion of an energy barrier between the droplets and the continuous phase or liquid, or both
Implementation Method 3
These emulsions are generally of the 'oil-in-water' type and consist of a dispersion of an organic phase made up of small globules of the bituminous binder in a continuous aqueous phase, said aqueous phase containing an emulsifying system which promotes the dispersion of the small globules of the bituminous binder in the aqueous phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of a (1→3)-β-D-glucan as an emulsion stabilizer. The present invention further relates to emulsions comprising a (1→3)-β-D-glucan in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt. %, based on the total weight of the emulsion. The present invention also relates to bitumen binder compositions comprising a (1→3)-β-D-glucan in an amount of 0.005 to less than 0.1 wt. %, based on the total weight of the bitumen binder composition. The present invention further relates to emulsions comprising a novel biodegradable emulsifying agent, in particular in combination with a (1→3)-β-D-glucan.