초록 ▼

An improved sulfur-extended asphalt composition and method for use in making compacted bituminous concrete, whereby solid sulfur, preferably in powdered form, is added to liquid asphalt on substantially a 1:1 weight basis, the asphalt comprising less than 3.1% of the weight of the total bituminous c

An improved sulfur-extended asphalt composition and method for use in making compacted bituminous concrete, whereby solid sulfur, preferably in powdered form, is added to liquid asphalt on substantially a 1:1 weight basis, the asphalt comprising less than 3.1% of the weight of the total bituminous concrete mixture. The solid sulfur is melted by the heat present in the molten asphalt thereby lessening the overall energy consumption and eliminating the need for any liquid sulfur-related heating equipment. The overall binder content of the resultant bituminous concrete is varied so as to both maintain the 1:1 sulfur-replacement-of-asphalt relationship utilized with this invention, and to reduce the occurrence of air voids. Such a 1:1 replacement relationship provides economic efficiencies in bituminous concrete production not previously obtainable. The resultant sulfur-extended bituminous concrete when compacted provides substantially increased mechanical strengths over conventional asphalt mix designs. A solid sulfur mixing and blending apparatus is disclosed for use with asphalt batch plants to accommodate the present sulfur-extended asphalt composition and method.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of making bituminous concrete having a sulfur-extended asphalt binder comprising the steps of: heating liquid asphalt cement to a temperature of at least 300°F. but less than 305°F.; adding solid sulfur in substantially crushed form to the heated asphalt cement on substantially a 1:1 weight

A method of making bituminous concrete having a sulfur-extended asphalt binder comprising the steps of: heating liquid asphalt cement to a temperature of at least 300°F. but less than 305°F.; adding solid sulfur in substantially crushed form to the heated asphalt cement on substantially a 1:1 weight basis; pre-blending the solid sulfur and asphalt cement together while transferring from the asphalt cement to the sulfur a major portion of the heat required to melt the sulfur until the sulfur has been melted and dispersed throughout the asphalt cement, and adding heat during the pre-blending step or as required to maintain the temperature above the melting point of sulfur; heating aggregate in a drying apparatus to a maximum temperature of 305°F; and introducing the liquid blend of sulfur and asphalt cement into the heated aggregate to form bituminous concrete, the amount of asphalt being less than 3.1% by weight of the bituminous concrete.