This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt (PMA) using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (puffed) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (Zero PEN Asphalt) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced. In fact, this technique can be used to attain polymer modified asphalt having a highly desirable combination of characteristics that could not otherwise be attained using the base asphalt.

A water-based extraction process for extracting bitumen from mined oil is provided comprising providing a water-based mixture containing bitumen; and introducing nanobubbles to the mixture to attach to bitumen and, thereby, extract the bitumen from the water-based mixture, wherein a nanobubble has a diameter of less than 5,000 nm.

A water-based extraction process for extracting bitumen from mined oil is provided comprising providing a water-based mixture containing bitumen; and introducing nanobubbles to the mixture to attach to bitumen and, thereby, extract the bitumen from the water-based mixture, wherein a nanobubble has a diameter of less than 5,000 nm.

This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (puffed) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (Zero PEN Asphalt) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced. This technique can be used to attain polymer modified asphalt having a highly desirable combination of characteristics not otherwise attainable using the base asphalt.

This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (puffed) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (Zero PEN Asphalt) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced. This technique can be used to attain polymer modified asphalt having a highly desirable combination of characteristics not otherwise attainable using the base asphalt.

A asphalt binder modifier or a stand-alone asphalt binder and the method of making the asphalt binder or binder modifier are disclosed. The asphalt modifier or binder consisting of treated re-refined engine oil bottoms/VTB's treated by injecting air into re-refining engine oil bottoms/VTB's at temperatures between 150? F. and 550? F. The re-refined engine oil can be processed with ground tire rubber. The binder modifier was blended with various paving and roofing asphalts to form performance-enhanced modified asphalt binders used in paving, roofing, and industrial products.

This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt (PMA) using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (puffed) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (Zero PEN Asphalt) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced

This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt (PMA) using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (puffed) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (Zero PEN Asphalt) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced

It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills can be improved by sectionalizing the blow still with perforated plates at various heights within the blow still. The perforated plates which contain a multitude of holes act to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt flux. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The perforated plates also increase the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt flux which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduce blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.

It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills can be improved by sectionalizing the blow still with perforated plates at various heights within the blow still. The perforated plates which contain a multitude of holes act to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt flux. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The perforated plates also increase the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt flux which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduce blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.