Tire Rubber Bitumen Compounding for Complete Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for incorporating tire rubber into asphalt bitumen face challenges such as inconsistent dissolution, leading to blockages and inferior pavement quality, and require high temperatures that degrade the asphalt blend or result in low-quality products.
Innovation Solution
A rapid digestion process (RDP) that heats tire rubber and bitumen to 320° F. to 420° F., followed by a second heating to 525° F. to 700° F. with mixing, and optionally includes sulfur cross-linking to achieve complete dissolution and enhance the bitumen compound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to incorporate tire rubber into asphalt bitumen, then the process is simpler, but dissolution is inconsistent leading to blockages and inferior pavement quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the asphalt bitumen to a controlled temperature range (320°F to 420°F) before adding the tire rubber. This preliminary heating prepares the asphalt to optimally receive and dissolve the rubber, ensuring consistent dissolution from the start of the process and preventing blockages that would occur with cold or improperly temperatureed asphalt.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by precisely controlling the temperature parameter throughout the dissolution process. By maintaining the asphalt temperature within the specific range of 320°F to 420°F during mixing, the patent optimizes the dissolution parameters to achieve complete and consistent rubber incorporation, transforming the inconsistent dissolution of conventional methods into reliable, repeatable results.
2Reliability
If tire rubber is incorporated into asphalt bitumen without proper dissolution, then the process is faster, but spray blockages occur and pavement adhesion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by maintaining the asphalt at optimal temperature (320°F to 420°F) throughout the entire mixing and dissolution process. This continuous temperature maintenance ensures that the tire rubber dissolves completely and uniformly without interruption, producing a consistent, sprayable mixture that prevents blockages while achieving thorough dissolution in an efficient timeframe.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by optimizing the temperature parameter to the specific range of 320°F to 420°F during the dissolution process. This parameter optimization accelerates the dissolution rate while ensuring complete incorporation, thereby improving spray performance and preventing blockages without requiring excessive processing time.
3Manufacturing precision
If high temperatures are used to dissolve tire rubber, then dissolution is more complete, but oxidation and degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the temperature parameter within the optimal range of 320°F to 420°F. This controlled temperature parameter achieves complete dissolution of tire rubber in asphalt bitumen while preventing the excessive oxidation and degradation that would occur at higher temperatures. The parameter optimization balances dissolution effectiveness with material preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an inert atmosphere by conducting the dissolution process in a nitrogen-purged environment. This inert nitrogen atmosphere prevents oxygen from contacting the heated asphalt and tire rubber mixture, thereby eliminating oxidation and thermal degradation while still allowing complete dissolution to occur at the controlled temperature of 320°F to 420°F.
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 RDP process achieves greater than 99% dissolution of tire rubber, reducing spray blockages and improving adhesion, with enhanced properties like weather resistance and uniform viscosity, suitable for various asphalt applications.
Implementation Method 1
heating tire rubber and bitumen to high temperatures (320°F to 420°F) with mixing for several hours
Implementation Method 2
addition of a styrenic block copolymer and sulfur cross-linking agent to achieve complete and uniform dissolution
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for generating a modified and enhanced dissolved tire rubber bitumen compound are described. The method includes receiving an rapid digestion process (“RDP”) compound, a bitumen compound, and a sulfur cross-linking agent. First heating the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, and the sulfur cross-linking agent to 320° F. to 420° F. with mixing for 3 to 5 hours. The method then proceeds to add SBC to the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, and the sulfur cross-linking agent. The RDP compound, the bitumen compound, the sulfur cross-linking agent, and the SBC are second heated to 320° F. to 420° F. with mixing for 15 minutes to 120 minutes.