US1793957A - Method and apparatus for emulsifying asphalt - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 24, 1931. I R. K. PAINTER 1,793,957

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMULSIFYING ASPHALT Filed Feb. 1, 19 0 a A 3o INVENTOR.

A05[/?7 ff. B4l/V7Z' BY l 55 ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 24, test ROBERT K. PAINTER, DE LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO BITUTEGT, INCOR- PORATED, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA Application filed February 1, 1930. Serial No. 425,341.

This invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for emulsifying asphalt.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus 5 for emulsifying bituminous substances.

One of the specific objects of the invention is to provide a novel method of producing asphalt emulsions.

A specific object of the invention is to provide an improved method for emulsifying asphalt wherein the asphalt is first placed in solution.

An additional object of the invention is to A further object of the invention is to provide a method of emulsifying asphalt or vegetable pitches wherein the asphalt or pitch is first dissolved in a solvent after which a colloidal solution is added thereto, and wherein the asphalt is thereafter precipitated in the presence of the colloidal solution by reaction with a suitable re-agent after correcting the alkalinity of both by an addition of an aqueous solution of an organic acid to a degree whereby I will secure a superior stabilization, and whereby I may use smaller percentages of mineral protective colloid than has been heretofore consistent with permanency of suspension.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus which is particularly adapted for emulsifying asphalt.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section showing an apparatus embodying the features of my invention and Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing an emulsifier which may be used in connection with my invention. I

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, I have shown an asphalt storage provide a method of emulsifying asphalt tank at 10. This tank is supported on suitable standards 11'. Thetank 10 is connected by apipe 12 with ameasuring tank 14. This measuring tank is in turn connected by a pipe 15 with anemulsifier 16. Suitable valves 17 and 18 are provided so that themeasuring tank 14 may be utilized.

A mixing tank is shown at 19. In this mixing tank I place ingredients to make an aqueous solution of colloidal clay. Thistank 19 is connected by apipe 20 with ameasuring tank 21. Apump 22 serves to force the colloidal solution through thepipe 20. Thispump 22 may be driven bybelts 23, 23' and 23" from a motor 24 or it may be driven in any other desired manner. Thetank 21 is connected by means of a pipe 25 with theemulsifier 16. Valves 26 and 27 are arranged so that themeasuring tank 21 may be operated.

Thedelivery pipe 28 from the emulsifier is controlled by a valve 29 and delivers into aproductstorage tank 30. The material in theproduct storage tank 30 may be removed through thepipe 31 which is connected to apump 32 and this pump delivers to a discharge pipe 33..

The emulsifier per se forms no part of my present invention but may be made of any type. f In the drawing it is shown as comprising a case having asteam jacket 34 thereabouts. Steam is supplied to the jacket through apipe 35 while exhaust steam passes through apipe 36.

This jacket serves to keep the mixture in the emulsifier at the proper temperature.

The emulsifier is shown as provided with aheater 37 which may be driven by ashaft 38 which in turn is driven bycased gears 38 from ashaft 38": Theshaft 38" is driven from the belt 38a.- The emulsifier is provided with acover 39 which serves to prevent the escape of fumes.

I will now proceed to describe my'improved method. As one example of this method, I may dissolve asphalt of any desired grade or I may dissolve other bituminous substances and vegetable pitches in carbon tetra chloride or other suitablesolvents. The solvent used is preferably volatile. To the saturated solution thus formed clay corrected as to acidity with an organic I add preferably 30% of its volume of a colacid, agitating the mixture at a desired temloidal solution such as an aqueous solution perature, precipitating the asphalt by methyl of colloidal clay. This aqueous solution of acetone in the presence of said colloidal solucolloidal clay is preferably of adensity of tion while the whole is agitated. one pound of cla to one gallon of water. The vessel is pre erably covered to prevent substances comprising first dissolving the the escape of fumes, or to collect the fumes bitumen in a solvent adding to the solution for condensation and re-use. thus formed a colloidal solution, precipi- The temperature is raised to 130 degrees tating the bitumen in the presence of said Fahrenheit. This done I add methyl acetone colloidal solution while the whole is a iin sufiicient quantities to effect precipitation. tated, thereafter continuing the process y While the precipitation is going on I run the the addition ofclay solution, corrected as to clay solution into the mixer. Melted asphalt acidity with an organic acid and melted or other melted bitumen is also simultaneasphalt introduced in thin streams and drawously added in the ratio of 2 parts'of ing off the product. asphalt or bitumen to one part of clay solu 5. The method of emulsifying asphalt tion. The addition of the solution of clay comprising first dissolving the asphalt in a and melted bitumen or asphalt is continued volatile solvent, adding to the saturated soluindefinitely with a stabilizer comprising tion thus formed, an aqueous solution of colan aqueous solution of an organic acid loidal clay, agitating the'mixture at a desired such as citric, acetic, malio or oxalic acid, temperature, precipitating the asphalt by in the instance here given as an embodimethyl acetone in the presence of said col-- ment of my invention of 1% by volloidal solution while'the whole. is agitated, ume of a solution of 80% acetic acid, and thereafter continuing the processby the adthe resultant emulsified asphalt or bitumen dition'of clay solution, corrected as to acidis drawn off. The proportions mentioned, itywith an organic acid and melted asphalt it will be understood, serve as an example introduced in thin'streams and drawing off only and other proportions and other rethe product.

agents may be employed if desired. In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my It is a well recognized fact that when signature. asphalt or other material is precipitated ROBERT K. PAINTER. chemically from solution that the particles are extremely fine. With my method the fine comminution of the bitumen gives a superior product over that obtained by other methods.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The method of emulsifying asphalt comprisin first dissolving the asphalt in a solvent, a cling to the solution thus formed an aqueous solution of colloidal cla of which the solid content is less than 2% of the emulsion produced, agitating the mixture at a desired temperature, maintaining a desired true acidity by control with additions at this point of aqueous solution of an organic acid, precipitating the asphalt in the presence of said colloidal solution and at the proper degree of true acidity while the whole is agitated.

2. The method of emulsifying asphalt comprising dissolving the asphalt in a suitablesolvent, mixing the solvent with a colloidal solution and precipitating the asphalt addition of melted asphalt in the presence of the colloidal solution at the proper true acidity, thereafter continuing the process by the addition of clay solution corrected with an organic acid and the and drawing-off the product. 3. The method of emulsifying asphalt. -comprising first dissolving the asphalt in a solvent, adding to the saturated solution thus formed an aqueous solution of colloidal 4. The method of emulsifying bituminous

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