High-Modulus Bitumen Composition Using Pitch Granules

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technologies face challenges in producing high modulus bituminous coatings for road pavements, particularly due to the scarcity of hard bitumens and the difficulties in transporting and storing hot bitumen, which poses ecological, economic, and logistical issues, and existing solutions do not provide satisfactory modulus properties in industrial quantities or ease of handling at room temperature.

Innovation Solution

A bituminous composition comprising 2-30% of a pitch with specific penetrability and softening temperature, combined with a bitumen base and optional chemical additives, is developed to create a high modulus coating that can be stored and transported in a solid, divided form at room temperature, eliminating the need for heating and simplifying handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If hard bitumen is used to increase stiffness modulus, then resistance to heavy road stresses is improved, but availability and supply become limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness modulusVSAvoidavailability of hard bitumen

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines soft bitumen with hard bitumen granules or gilsonite to create a composite bituminous binder. This composite approach allows achieving high stiffness modulus (above 3000 MPa) while using readily available soft bitumen as the base, thus resolving the scarcity issue of pure hard bitumen while maintaining the required mechanical performance for heavy road stresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the properties of soft bitumen by adding hard bitumen granules or gilsonite, effectively changing the penetration and stiffness parameters. This transformation allows soft bitumen to achieve the high modulus properties traditionally associated with hard bitumen, making the material both available and performant

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If hot bitumen is transported and stored to maintain workability, then ease of handling is improved, but energy consumption and environmental burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of bitumenVSAvoidenergy for heating and maintaining bitumen

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of bitumen by incorporating hard granules that modify the melting and solidification behavior. The composition is designed to remain workable at lower temperatures and solidify at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for continuous heating during transport and storage while maintaining ease of operation during application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a ready-to-use composition that can be stored at ambient temperature without special infrastructure. The product is designed for single-use application where the bituminous binder is heated only during the mixing process at the asphalt plant, eliminating the need for expensive heated storage and transport infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If hard bitumen granules or gilsonite are added to soft bitumen to increase hardness, then stiffness modulus is improved, but availability of additives becomes limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardness of bitumenVSAvoidavailability of hard bitumen granules and gilsonite

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the soft bitumen base serve multiple functions: it acts as both the continuous matrix and the primary binder, while the added hard granules serve as reinforcement and modulus-enhancing agents. This universal use of soft bitumen reduces dependence on scarce hard bitumen derivatives, achieving high hardness through a combination of readily available materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 improved modulus properties, enabling the production of high modulus coatings suitable for road applications, simplifies transportation and storage, and reduces environmental and economic burdens associated with hot bitumen handling.

Implementation Method 1

a pitch having a penetration at 25°C ranging from 0 to 20 1/10 mm, a ring and ball softening temperature (RBW) ranging from 115°C to 175°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPenetrability:

Implementation Method 2

a pitch having a penetration at 25°C ranging from 0 to 20 1/10 mm, a ring and ball softening temperature (RBW) ranging from 115°C to 175°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSoftening temperature:

Implementation Method 3

Heating the bitumen base b) to a temperature of 140 to 180°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3510105B1Bitumenous composition for high-modulus coated material

Publication Date: 2021.07.21 TOTAL MARKETING SERVICES SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a bituminous composition that makes it possible to manufacture high modulus mixes. The invention also relates to a high modulus bituminous mix and to the use of these mixes in the preparation of road pavements, in particular in the preparation of base layers or foundation layers for road pavements. The invention also relates to a process for transporting and/or storing and/or handling this bituminous composition that is solid at ambient temperature and is in divided form.