Solid Bitumen Granules with Asphaltene Coating for Ambient Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for transporting and storing bitumen are inefficient and pose safety and environmental concerns, as hot bitumen requires high-energy maintenance and can lead to viscosity issues and material loss during handling and storage, while cold bitumen forms like granules lack resistance to high temperatures and creepage.

Innovation Solution

Development of solid bitumen granules with a core made of a first bituminous material and a coating layer containing 30-50% asphaltenes by weight, which allows for stable storage and handling at ambient temperatures without agglomeration or adhesion, enabling easy transportation and use in asphalt mixes without preheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bitumen is transported and stored at high temperatures to maintain fluidity, then ease of handling and transport is improved, but energy consumption increases and bitumen properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from high (120-200°C) to ambient temperature, and modifies the bitumen's physical state through chemical additives (asphaltenes and polymers) to maintain solid form at ambient temperature while ensuring fluidity during application through controlled heating only at the point of use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the bitumen distribution system into two distinct forms: solid granules for transport and storage, and liquid state at application point. This segmentation allows optimized handling for each stage - solid granules eliminate energy-intensive heating during transport, while controlled heating is applied only during asphalt mixing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If bitumen is transported hot in liquid form to ensure fluidity, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to safety hazards and viscosity issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from high (120-200°C) to ambient temperature, and modifies the bitumen's physical state through chemical additives (asphaltenes and polymers) to maintain solid form at ambient temperature while ensuring fluidity during application through controlled heating only at the point of use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses solid bitumen granules that can be easily replaced and do not require specialized insulation equipment, heating systems, or complex safety infrastructure associated with hot bitumen transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Use of energy by stationary object

If bitumen is stored at ambient temperature in drums to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but loss of substance increases due to viscosity and adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from high (120-200°C) to ambient temperature, and modifies the bitumen's physical state through chemical additives (asphaltenes and polymers) to maintain solid form at ambient temperature while ensuring fluidity during application through controlled heating only at the point of use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If bitumen granules are used to improve handling at ambient temperature, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to creepage at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandlingVSAvoidresistance to creepage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite bitumen material combining traditional bitumen with asphaltenes and polymer additives. This composite structure provides both the ambient temperature stability needed for granular handling and the high temperature resistance required to prevent creepage during storage and application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from high (120-200°C) to ambient temperature, and modifies the bitumen's physical state through chemical additives (asphaltenes and polymers) to maintain solid form at ambient temperature while ensuring fluidity during application through controlled heating only at the point of use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3464473B1Bitumen solid at ambient temperature
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH

AI summary

Bitumen that is solid at ambient temperature in the form of granules that include a core made of a first bituminous material and a coating made of a second bituminous material, the second bituminous material having a total content of asphaltenes, extracted using n-alkane, of 30% to 50% by weight in relation to the total weight of the bitumen in the coating.