Solid Bitumen Composition for Road Binder Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bituminous compositions used in road construction face challenges with viscosity, elasticity, and storage/transportation issues, particularly requiring high temperatures for processing and storage, which increase energy costs and risk of bitumen degradation, and existing solutions do not effectively balance mechanical properties and prevent agglomeration during transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A bituminous composition comprising a bitumen base, a compound with aromatic groups and amide/ester functional groups, and another compound with hydrocarbon chains, which maintains solid form at ambient temperature, reducing agglomeration and enhancing creeping resistance, allowing for efficient transportation and storage without heating, and providing improved mechanical properties when mixed with aggregates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bitumen is stored and transported under hot conditions to maintain fluidity, then ease of handling and processing is improved, but energy consumption increases and bitumen degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of bitumen from liquid to solid by adding specific additives (wax, resin, or polymer compounds). This allows bitumen to be stored and transported at ambient temperature in solid form, eliminating the need for continuous heating while maintaining handling capability through controlled melting during application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where bitumen can transition between solid state during storage/transport and liquid state during application. The additives enable reversible phase change, allowing the material to adapt its physical state according to operational requirements without permanent modification.
2Strength
If crosslinked polymers are added to improve elasticity, then elastic properties are improved, but viscosity increases requiring higher processing temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial crosslinking or controlled polymerization rather than complete crosslinking. The additives (wax, resin, or polymer compounds) provide sufficient elasticity improvement for road applications without achieving full crosslink density, thereby avoiding excessive viscosity increase and maintaining processability at reasonable temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite bituminous material combining bitumen with specific additives (wax, resin, or polymer compounds). This composite structure provides enhanced elasticity through the additive components while the overall formulation maintains appropriate viscosity for processing, balancing mechanical properties with workability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If bitumen is kept at elevated temperatures for long periods, then fluidity is maintained, but bitumen properties deteriorate and performance quality changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage state parameter from liquid to solid by adding specific additives. This allows bitumen to be stored at ambient temperature in solid form, eliminating thermal degradation during storage while maintaining composition stability. The solid state prevents oxidation and other temperature-dependent degradation mechanisms.
4Productivity
If bitumen is transported in liquid form under hot conditions, then transportation efficiency is improved, but safety risks increase and regulatory restrictions apply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of bitumen from liquid to solid state through additive incorporation. This enables transportation in solid form at ambient temperature, eliminating safety hazards associated with hot liquid transport while maintaining transportation efficiency. The solid blocks or pellets can be safely handled and transported without special temperature control infrastructure.
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 remains stable and retains mechanical properties during transportation and storage at ambient temperature, reducing energy costs and preventing agglomeration, while offering improved resistance and processing characteristics when used as a road binder.
Implementation Method 1
bituminous composition which is solid at ambient temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A bituminous composition and a process for the preparation of bituminous mixes including at least one bitumen base, at least one compound of general formula Ar1-R1—Ar2 (I), and at least one compound of general formula R2—(NH)nCONH—X—(NHCO)p(NH)n—R′2 (II). The composition is used as road binder, notably for the preparation of bituminous mixes.