Method and system for in-situ cross linking of polymers, bitumen and similar materials to increase strength, toughness and durability via irradiation with electron beams from mobile accelerators
A method and system for treating and strengthening material. One or more electron accelerators can be integrated with a mobile unit. The electron accelerators are positioned on the mobile unit to irradiate and treat in-situ, a material located proximate to the mobile unit, wherein irradiation of the material by the electron accelerators results in in-situ cross-linking or polymerization of the material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of the material. The in-situ treatment of a road surface to toughen and strengthen the road surface constructed with standard asphalt construction can result in improved material properties of the surface, enhanced durability, and improved lifetime.
1. A system for treating and strengthening a material comprising a surface, said system comprising:
a mobile unit;
at least one electron gun that emits a beam of electrons;
at least one electron accelerator integrated with the mobile unit and positioned to accelerate the beam of electrons; and
at least one beam extraction device comprising a scan coil that emits the accelerated beam of electrons, the at least one beam extraction device positioned on said mobile unit to irradiate the surface of and treat in-situ, the material located proximate to said mobile unit, wherein irradiation of said material by the beam of electrons results in in-situ cross-linking of said material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of said material.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said mobile unit comprises a vehicle-mounted unit that moves above and with respect to said road surface.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said irradiation of said material induces said in-situ cross-linking, curing, or a material properties modification of said material.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said mobile unit comprises a unit that moves with respect to said material being treated.
5. A system for treating and strengthening a road surface, said system comprising:
a mobile unit comprising a vehicle-mounted unit that moves above and with respect to a road surface;
at least one electron gun that emits a beam of electrons;
at least one electron accelerator integrated with the mobile unit and positioned to accelerate the beam of electrons; and
at least one beam extraction device comprising a scan coil that emits the accelerated beam of electrons, the at least one beam extraction device positioned on said mobile unit to irradiate and treat in-situ, the road surface, the road surface comprising a material comprising at least one of: asphalt, modified asphalt, or a cross-link capable binder-stone mixture, the road surface located proximate to said mobile unit, wherein irradiation of the road surface by the beam of electrons results in in-situ cross-linking of said material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of the road surface.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said irradiation of said material induces said in-situ cross-linking or curing of said material.
7. A method for treating and strengthening material comprising a surface, said method comprising:
integrating a plurality of electron accelerators with a mobile unit; and
positioning said plurality of electron accelerators on said mobile unit to irradiate the surface of and treat in-situ, the material, wherein the surface is located proximate to said mobile unit, wherein the material is cross-linkable, wherein irradiation of said material by said plurality of electron accelerators results in in-situ cross-linking of said material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of said material.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said mobile unit comprises a vehicle-mounted unit that moves above and with respect to said road surface.