Methods of preparing solid formations of non-volatile bituminous materials suitable for reducing carbon dioxide emissions during transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting bituminous materials like heavy crude oil and bitumen involve the use of diluents, which lead to environmental risks, high costs, and increased carbon emissions, and are challenging to handle in aquatic environments.
Innovation Solution
Preparing bituminous materials into irregular solid formations with customizable polymer skeletons and buoyant features, allowing transport without diluents and using low-emission vehicles with passive environmental control systems to maintain stability and buoyancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-volatile bituminous materials are transported in liquid form, then ease of transport is improved, but energy consumption increases and environmental harm worsens due to heating requirements and spill risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by converting non-volatile bituminous materials from liquid state to solid formation state. This allows the material to be transported as a solid at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for continuous heating and energy consumption associated with liquid transport, while maintaining ease of handling through the solid formation approach
2Ease of operation
If non-volatile bituminous materials are transported in liquid form, then ease of transport is improved, but environmental harm worsens due to spill risks and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning the material from liquid to solid formation, the patent eliminates the environmental hazards associated with liquid spills and contamination. The solid formation can be safely handled and transported without the risk of leaking or contaminating the environment, while still maintaining ease of transport through standardized solid handling procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs container liners that can be disposed of after use, eliminating the risk of environmental contamination from spills. These single-use liners provide a barrier that prevents contact between the bituminous material and the environment, and can be easily discarded if contamination occurs, avoiding the need for costly cleanup operations
3Loss of energy
If non-volatile bituminous materials are transported in solid formation, then energy consumption is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases due to formation process requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the non-volatile bituminous material from liquid to solid formation through controlled cooling and solidification processes. This phase change enables energy-efficient solid-state transport while the manufacturing complexity is managed through established solidification techniques and container design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces container liners as an intermediary between the bituminous material and the transport container. These liners facilitate the solid formation process by providing a controlled environment for solidification and simplifying the manufacturing process through pre-formed, easy-to-install components that reduce overall system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of preparing non-volatile bituminous material in solid form includes first accessing molds having mold cavities defining an irregularly shaped brick having a plurality of non-planar surfaces and preparing the bituminous material for casting by heating it until it is suitably viscous for casting and optionally blending it with an additive. Then, the molds can be filled with the bituminous materials, preferably using a retractable conduit that progressively fills each mold cavity from its bottom to its top. Next, the bituminous material in the molds is solidified until substantially solid bricks are formed. Optionally, a skeleton with optional additional buoyant features can be placed in each mold cavity prior to casting so that the resulting brick has increased buoyancy throughout, and the skeleton and any buoyant features can be customized according to the needs of the customer. The resulting bricks can be removed for transport.