High-Concentration Emulsifier Bitumen Emulsion Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing bituminous paving compositions at lower temperatures than traditional hot-mix asphalt processes face issues with water steam generation, leading to fouling and reduced air flow in mixing equipment, which affects production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a high-concentration-emulsifier bitumen emulsion with reduced water content, allowing for effective dispersion and coating of aggregates at lower temperatures (60°C to 140°C), minimizing steam generation and enhancing mixing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If bitumen emulsion with water is mixed with aggregate at lower temperatures (60°C to 140°C), then the paving composition can be produced at lower temperatures, but water steam generated during mixing causes fouling of equipment and forms mud-like barriers that restrict air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the emulsifier in the bitumen emulsion, using high-concentration-emulsifier bitumen emulsion instead of conventional emulsions. This parameter change allows the emulsion to achieve effective coating and dispersion at lower temperatures while minimizing water content to 5%-25% by weight, thereby reducing steam generation during mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses high-concentration-emulsifier bitumen emulsion as a substitute for conventional bitumen binders. This emulsion copy performs the binding and coating functions of traditional hot bitumen but at lower temperatures with reduced water content, eliminating the need for high-temperature processing that generates excessive steam.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If high-concentration-emulsifier bitumen emulsion is used to reduce water content, then steam generation is minimized, but the emulsion must achieve effective dispersion and coating at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the emulsifier concentration parameter in the bitumen emulsion formulation. This high emulsifier concentration enhances the emulsion's ability to disperse and coat aggregate particles effectively at lower temperatures, compensating for the reduced water content and ensuring reliable coating performance without excessive steam generation.
3Reliability
If conventional bitumen emulsion with higher water content is used, then dispersion and coating are achieved, but equipment fouling increases and production rate decreases due to air flow restriction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water content parameter in the bitumen emulsion by formulating high-concentration-emulsifier emulsions with reduced water content (5%-25% by weight). This parameter change minimizes steam generation during mixing, preventing the formation of mud-like barriers that would restrict air flow and reduce production rate, while maintaining effective dispersion and coating through high emulsifier concentration.
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 process produces bituminous paving compositions with improved paving performance, achieving adhesive and load-bearing strength comparable to hot-mix asphalt at lower temperatures, reducing equipment fouling and increasing production rates.
Implementation Method 1
a high-concentration-emulsifier bitumen emulsion comprising: bitumen having a penetration number of less than 220 dmm, an emulsifier additive, and water
Data Source
AI summary
A bituminous composition with improved paving performance, comprising a high-concentration-emulsifier bituminous emulsion is disclosed. The high- concentration-emulsifier bitumen emulsion has a higher content of surfactant than the conventional bitumen emulsion, thus facilitating the use of low levels of emulsion in the finished bituminous paving composition. Additionally, the high- concentration-emulsifier bitumen emulsion has superior surfactant dispersion property compared to the inverted bitumen dispersion, thereby enhancing the mixing and coating performance of the bituminous composition. The disclosed bituminous compositions may be used in a pavement construction at a much lower temperatures range compared to the conventional hot-mix bituminous composition, yet it develops adhesive strength and load-bearing strength properties at rates comparable to those of hot mix bituminous paving compositions.