System and method for modifying and enhancing tire rubber bitumen
A method and system for generating a modified and enhanced dissolved tire rubber bitumen compound are described. The method includes receiving an rapid digestion process (“RDP”) compound, a bitumen compound, and a sulfur cross-linking agent. First heating the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, and the sulfur cross-linking agent to 320° F. to 420° F. with mixing for 3 to 5 hours. The method then proceeds to add SBC to the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, and the sulfur cross-linking agent. The RDP compound, the bitumen compound, the sulfur cross-linking agent, and the SBC are second heated to 320° F. to 420° F. with mixing for 15 minutes to 120 minutes.
1 . A method for generating a modified and enhanced dissolved tire rubber bitumen compound comprising:
receiving a rapid digestion process (RDP) compound, wherein the RDP compound is selected from the list consisting of an unmodified RDP compound, a modified RDP compound, an enhanced RDP compound, and a modified enhanced RDP compound;
receiving a bitumen compound;
receiving a sulfur cross-linking agent;
first heating the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, and the sulfur cross-linking agent to 320° F. to 420° F. with mixing for 3 to 5 hours;
adding a Styrenic Block Copolymer (SBC) to the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, and the sulfur cross-linking agent; and
second heating the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, the sulfur cross-linking agent, and the SBC to 320° F. to 420° F. with mixing for 15 minutes to 120 minutes to generate the modified and enhanced dissolved tire rubber bitumen compound.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising curing the modified and enhanced tire rubber bitumen compound with mixing for 12 hours to 48 hours.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising curing the modified and enhanced tire rubber bitumen compound with mixing for 20 hours.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the RDP compound has a penetration of 40 dmm to 60 dmm and a viscosity between 1000 cP and 4000 cP at 275° F.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the modified and enhanced tire rubber bitumen compound comprises 0.5% to 0.05% sulfur cross-linking agent.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, and the sulfur cross-linking agent are first heated to 380° F. with mixing for 4 hours.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, the sulfur cross-linking agent, and the SBC are second heated to 380° F. with mixing for 60 minutes.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the RDP compound, the bitumen compound, the sulfur cross-linking agent, and the SBC are second heated to 380° F. with mixing for 30 minutes.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the SBC includes Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS); and
wherein the modified and enhanced tire rubber bitumen compound comprises 2.5% to 3.5% SBS.
10 . The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a process oil.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein the RDP compound includes 40% to 50% tire rubber.