The present invention relates to a method for preparing a flexible and tough polymer modified asphalt composition which comprises sparging an oxygen containing gas through a liquid high-vinyl polybutadiene modified asphalt, wherein the liquid high-vinyl polybutadiene modified asphalt contains from about 0.25 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of the liquid high-vinyl polybutadiene, wherein the oxygen containing gas is sparged through the liquid high-vinyl polybutadiene modified asphalt at a temperature within the range of about 400 F. to about 550 F. for a period of time which is sufficient to increase the softening point of the asphalt to a value which is within the range of 185 F. to 250 F. and to attain a penetration value of at least 15 dmm to produce the polymer modified asphalt composition.

The asphalt formulations according to the invention include the use of post-consumer recycled materials and provide for shingle and roll roofing membranes that exhibit performance requirements of the roofing industry. The formulations provide additional benefits of less blistering compared to conventional polymer modified asphaltic formulations, and are less susceptible to external damage such as scuffing and granule loss. The post-consumer recycled materials are olefinic polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene waxes that may be derived from, for example, feedstock from waste agricultural films, bottles, milk jugs, waste plastics, consumer bags, polyolefin plastics, and synthesized plastics.

Solar-reflective roofing granules having improved solar heat-resistance are formed by coating colored mineral particles with a coating composition including titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Environmentally responsible insulating construction blocks and structures constructed primarily of recycled materials are disclosed. The environmentally friendly construction blocks and structures comprise shredded rubber tire pieces coated with silica fume, slag cement and cement, which are then mixed with water and formed in a mold. A layer of grout or a fireproof material may be disposed on one side of the environmentally responsible insulating construction block. The environmentally responsible insulating construction blocks provide high insulation as well as strength for applications such as green roofing, wall construction and green roofing decks. Environmentally friendly structures can be built by pouring the coated shredded rubber tire pieces into molds to form walls, and then to pour a layer of the coated shredded rubber tire pieces as a roof deck, thereby creating a self-supporting structure in a monolithic pour.

This invention relates to manufacturing briquettes, pellets and shapes from recycled asphaltic limestone powder derived from waste residential roofing products. Briquettes and pellets are manufactured through a densification process at varying temperatures, creating recycled asphalt pellets, asphalt limestone pellets and bio mass and coal fines briquettes. Various shapes, including curbs and posts, are manufactured through heat and pressure in molds. Seawalls, walkways and wall panels are manufactured by blending asphaltic limestone powders with polymer resins and extruded or pultruded into shapes.

The present disclosure relates to roofing granules, such as colored solar-reflective roofing granules, and to methods for making and their use in roofing products. One aspect of the disclosure provides a collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules, wherein substantially each roofing granule includes an inner layer of a porous ceramic material, the pore size and material of the inner layer being selected such that the inner layer is substantially reflective of infrared radiation; and disposed about and substantially surrounding the inner layer, an outer layer of a substantially colored ceramic material, the outer layer of substantially colored ceramic material being substantially transmissive to infrared radiation, the collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules having a L* of no more than 60 and a solar reflectivity of at least 30%.

The present disclosure relates more particularly to roofing granules, such as solar-reflective roofing granules, and to methods for making and using them in roofing products. Provided are, for example, a collection of solar-reflective roofing granules having a solar reflectivity of at least 70%, (e.g., at least 80 wt % or even at least 90 wt %) of the solar-reflective roofing granules of the collection having a major aspect ratio of at least 4 and a minor aspect ratio of at least 3. Also provided is a roofing product that includes a substrate; a bituminous material coated on the substrate, the bituminous material having a top surface; and a collection of solar-reflective roofing granules as described herein disposed on the top surface of the bituminous material, thereby substantially coating the bituminous material in a region thereof.

A method is disclosed for producing photocatalytic coated ceramic granules. The method involves providing a coatable composition containing an inorganic binder and a variety of photocatalytic particles, such as TiO2, ZnO, Ti(OH)4, doped derivatives, or combinations thereof. These photocatalytic particles have a surface area per weight of no more than 15 m2/g. The coatable composition is then applied to uncoated base ceramic granules, resulting in intermediate coated granules. Finally, the intermediate coated granules are heated at a temperature of at least 700? C., leading to the formation of photocatalytic coated ceramic granules. These granules exhibit a Total Solar Reflectance (TSR) value of at least 0.7. This method offers an efficient and effective way to produce ceramic granules with enhanced photocatalytic properties.

A method for making geopolymer cementitious binder compositions for cementitious products such as concrete, precast construction elements and panels, mortar, patching materials for road repairs and other repair materials, and the like is disclosed. The geopolymer cementitious compositions of some embodiments are made by mixing a synergistic mixture of thermally activated aluminosilicate mineral, calcium sulfoaluminate cement, a calcium sulfate and a chemical activator with water.

A solar heat-reflective roofing product includes a base sheet, and solar heat-reflective roofing granules on top of the base sheet. The granules have a base particle with a flake-like geometry covered by a uniform coating layer. The coating layer has a thickness of at least one mil and includes a coating binder and at least one solar heat-reflective pigment. The solar heat-reflective pigment provides a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70 percent to the granules and the roofing product. Roofing products including roofing shingles and roofing membranes are described.