Method for adding foaming agents to pavement aggregate

1. A method for reconditioning a paved surface; comprising:

providing a vehicle adapted to traverse the paved surface;

providing a layer of loose aggregate on an underlayer by degrading the paved surface with a degradation element attached to the vehicle;

adding a foaming agent to the layer of loose aggregate on the underlayer; and

coating a total aggregate surface area by mixing hot asphalt into the loose aggregate and allowing the foaming agent to expand the asphalt.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foaming agent comprises azodicarbonamide inorganic carbonates, organic acids, polycarbonic acid, organic salts, inorganic oxides, zinc, potassium, water, glycerol, stearate, hydrocarbons, nucleating agents, antioxidants, pigments, fire-retardants, or combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foaming agent foams between 200 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of mixing at least one foaming agent with the loose aggregate occurs at a temperature below the foaming agent's decomposition threshold.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foaming agent has a characteristic of having a foaming half-life of 5-180 seconds.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further includes a step of softening the paved surface by heating it before the step of degrading the paved surface.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the degradation element in the step of providing a layer of loose aggregate comprises at least one vertical milling apparatus.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the layer of pavement aggregate is consistent with incorporation into a wearing surface, a road base, a road sub-base, a drive way, a parking lot or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises a step of compacting the aggregate while coating the total aggregate surface area.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises a step of fogging the pavement surface and/or loose aggregate with foaming agent using a fogger attached to the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein hot asphalt bonds the layer of pavement aggregate to an underlayer of the paved surface.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises a step of mixing at least one foaming agent with at least one other component before adding the resulting mixture to the loose aggregate.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the other component comprises material selected from the group consisting of water, liquids, gases, polymers, clays, waxes, oil based substances, zeolites, and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foaming agent is added to the pavement and/or loose aggregate by a dispenser.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the foaming agent is directed towards the loose aggregate by an opening of a channel attached to the vehicle that connects the opening to at least one supply of foaming agent.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the opening of the channel is protected by a superhard material.

17. The methods of claim 14 , wherein the channel is adapted to vibrate, rotate, shake, move, or oscillate.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the opening comprises a nozzle.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the opening in the channel is positioned below the surface of the loose aggregate while adding the foaming agent.