Microwave Drying of Asphalt Shingle Waste Without Size Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for drying asphalt shingle waste are inefficient, energy-intensive, and require significant cooling and heating, leading to high costs and energy consumption, while also potentially reducing the size of the material undesirably.

Innovation Solution

The use of microwave dryers to expose asphalt shingle waste to microwaves, allowing for moisture reduction without significant size reduction or temperature increase, thereby minimizing energy usage and maintaining material integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional drying methods are used, then moisture is removed from asphalt shingle waste, but significant energy is consumed and material size is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddrying efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional thermal drying systems with microwave radiation technology. The microwave system directly heats water molecules within the asphalt shingle waste, eliminating the need for large-scale thermal air circulation systems, heaters, and extensive cooling infrastructure. This substitution achieves faster drying with significantly reduced energy consumption and without the material size reduction issues associated with conventional mechanical drying methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through microwave-induced heating. The microwaves directly energize water molecules, causing rapid heating and evaporation of moisture within the material matrix. This direct phase transition approach is more energy-efficient than conventional methods that heat the surrounding air and rely on heat transfer to the material, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining drying effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Quantity of substance

If conventional drying methods are used, then moisture is removed, but material size is undesirably reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial sizeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The microwave drying system replaces mechanical tumbling and thermal processing that cause material fragmentation. Microwaves penetrate the material and heat water molecules internally, causing moisture removal without the mechanical stress and high-temperature exposure that lead to particle size reduction. This preserves the physical integrity and quantity of the asphalt shingle waste material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional drying methods are used, then drying is achieved, but significant cooling and heating is required leading to high costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying costVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces energy-intensive thermal processing systems with microwave radiation technology. Conventional methods require extensive heating to evaporate moisture followed by significant cooling to condense and remove the moisture-laden air. The microwave system directly vaporizes water within the material, eliminating the need for large-scale heating and cooling infrastructure, thereby dramatically reducing energy consumption and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits the direct phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through microwave heating, bypassing the need for extensive thermal air handling. The microwaves provide direct energy to water molecules, causing rapid evaporation without requiring the material to be heated to high temperatures and then cooled. This direct phase change approach eliminates the energy-wasting heating-cooling cycle inherent in conventional drying systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 method achieves efficient moisture reduction in asphalt shingle waste with reduced energy consumption and minimal material disturbance, improving efficiency and reducing costs compared to conventional drying methods.

Implementation Method 1

exposing the asphalt shingle waste to microwaves emitted by the microwave dryer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

exposing the asphalt shingle waste to microwaves emitted by the microwave dryer so as to reduce a moisture content of the asphalt shingle waste

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250214086A1Systems and methods for drying asphalt shingle waste

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 BMIC LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for drying asphalt shingle waste are provided. A method comprises obtaining an asphalt shingle waste, exposing the asphalt shingle waste to microwaves emitted by a microwave dryer, and processing the asphalt shingle waste into a processed asphalt shingle waste. The asphalt shingle waste has a first moisture content at an inlet of the microwave dryer. The asphalt shingle waste has a second moisture content at an outlet of the microwave dryer. The second moisture content of the asphalt shingle waste is less than the first moisture content of the asphalt shingle waste.