Paraffin Wax Packaging for Bitumen Blending

Solution Overview

Problem

The transportation and handling of paraffin wax materials are inefficient due to their solidification requirements, energy-intensive processes, blocking issues during transport, and difficulties in removing residual wax from containers, which complicates their use as additives in bitumen compositions.

Innovation Solution

A paraffin wax composition is packaged in a thermoplastic polymer film with a melting point range of 65 to 240°C, allowing it to melt and blend with bitumen, using materials like polyethylene and polypropylene, which have a softening point above 90°C and high impact resistance, facilitating easy handling and blending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If paraffin wax is transported in bulk, then transportation cost is reduced, but the wax must be maintained at high temperature to maintain low viscosity, increasing energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation easeVSAvoidenergy for heating

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the wax from solid to liquid by dissolving it in a carrier oil, allowing transportation at ambient temperature without energy-intensive heating while maintaining low viscosity for easy pumping and transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A carrier oil is introduced as an intermediary substance to dissolve the paraffin wax, enabling the wax to be transported in a liquid state at ambient temperature. The carrier oil acts as a medium that maintains fluidity without requiring external heating energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If paraffin wax is transported in containers at ambient temperature, then energy consumption is reduced, but the wax solidifies and causes blocking problems during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy for heatingVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the wax from solid to liquid by dissolving it in a carrier oil, allowing transportation at ambient temperature without energy-intensive heating while maintaining low viscosity for easy pumping and transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A carrier oil is introduced as an intermediary substance to dissolve the paraffin wax, enabling the wax to be transported in a liquid state at ambient temperature. The carrier oil acts as a medium that maintains fluidity without requiring external heating energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If containers are heated to extract residual wax, then wax removal is improved, but the heating process may damage the material and container due to hot spots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidual wax removalVSAvoidhot spot damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a disposable liner inside the container that can be easily removed after use. This liner contains the wax and any residual wax, eliminating the need for costly and damaging heating processes to remove residuals. The liner is discarded with the residual wax, protecting both the container and material from hot spot damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier oil serves as an intermediary that prevents direct contact between the wax and container walls, reducing adhesion and residual wax formation. This intermediary layer facilitates easier removal without requiring aggressive heating that could cause hot spot damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If microcrystalline wax is transported as solid, then transportation infrastructure is simplified, but the softness makes handling difficult at higher ambient temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation infrastructureVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the wax from solid to liquid by dissolving it in a carrier oil, allowing transportation at ambient temperature without energy-intensive heating while maintaining low viscosity for easy pumping and transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables efficient transportation and blending of paraffin wax with bitumen without the need for specific heating equipment, reducing handling difficulties and environmental impact, while maintaining the quality of the bitumen composition.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoplastic polymer packaging material which is meltable along with the paraffin wax

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the packaging material is a polymer film having a melting point in the range of from 65 to 240°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase Change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP2142440B1Paraffin wax composition

Publication Date: 2020.07.01 SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ BV

AI summary

The invention is directed to a paraffin wax contained in a thermoplastic polymer packaging material which is meltable along with the paraffin wax.