Sulfur-in-oil in asphalt and polymer composition and process
AssigneeMarathon Ashland Petroleum LLC
InventorRoger E. Hayner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sulfur in oil in asphalt and polymer blend is disclosed. An asphalt and polymer blend is first prepared and then a slurry of solid sulfur in liquid oil added. Addition of a slurry of solid sulfur in oil or oil containing sulfur compounds, permits rapid and effective uniform dispersion of the sulfur component in the asphalt/polymer blend. Uneven mixing, which can occur when sulfur is separately added as a solid to the asphalt blend, is avoided. Polymer use is optimized because polymer matrix development (digestion/swelling) can be completed before cross-linking occurs. The method is safer because formation of explosive clouds of sulfur dust is avoided.
Claims19
A method of preparing a mixture of asphalt, polymer, sulfur and flux oil comprising blending together at asphalt blending conditions said asphalt and said polymer to form an asphalt/polymer blend, separately blending at sulfur blending conditions sulfur in a solid form and said oil to form a sulfur slurry comprising solid sulfur and said oil and mixing said asphalt/polymer blend with said sulfur slurry to produce a product blend of asphalt, polymer, sulfur and flux oil.
A method of preparing a mixture of asphalt, polymer, sulfur and liquid hydrocarbon oil comprising mixing molten asphalt and polymer at mixing conditions sufficient to uniformly disperse said polymer throughout said asphalt;
- providing matrix development of said polymer in said mixture by allowing said polymer to remain in contact, with or without mixing, with said asphalt for time and temperature sufficient to at least double the volume of the polymer matrix in said blend;
- cross-linking said digested/swollen polymer/asphalt blend by incorporating in said digested/swollen polymer/asphalt blend a sulfur slurry comprising solid sulfur and a liquid hydrocarbon oil to produce a cross-linked, asphalt/polymer blend as a product.
A method of preparing a mixture of asphalt, polymer, and oil containing sulfur or sulfur compounds comprising blending together at asphalt blending conditions said asphalt and said polymer to form an asphalt polymer blend, swelling said polymer in said polymer asphalt blend to form a mixture of swollen polymer and asphalt, cross-linking said swollen polymer by adding said sulfur-containing oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.