The present application discloses compositions and methods for improving or enhancing the paving or re-paving of asphalt to road surfaces comprising the addition of the composition to the asphalt.

The present invention relates to an asphalt product that comprises an asphalt component and a plurality of pellets comprising a mixture of a ground tire rubber and an elastomeric polymer, where the density difference between the asphalt component and the plurality of pellets is less than 10%. The present invention further relates to a pellet comprising a ground tire rubber (“GTR”) and an elastomeric polymer mixed with the GTR, where the GTR has a density of less than 1.12 g/cm.sup.3. Also disclosed are methods of producing improved asphalt and paving a surface.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an asphalt mix composition, said process comprising: (1) providing an asphalt composition and heating said composition to a temperature in the range of from 110 to 200° C.; (2) providing a granular material and heating said material to a temperature in the range of from 110 to 240° C.; (3) providing one or more thermosetting reactive compounds; (4) adding the one or more thermosetting reactive compounds provided in (3) to the asphalt composition obtained in (1) and homogenizing the mixture for a duration in the range of from 2 to 180 s; (5) adding the mixture obtained in (4) to the granular material obtained in (2) and homogenizing the slurry for a duration in the range of from 5 to 180 s. Further, the present invention relates to an asphalt mix composition obtained or obtainable by said process and its use.

The invention refers to an asphaltic mixture conditioner comprising a bitumen, a polyol, a surfactant, a mineral acid and water. The invention further refers to a conditioned asphaltic paving mixture comprising bitumen, aggregate and the said asphaltic mixture conditioner.

The asphaltic mixture conditioner, used as an additive, solves problems of the prior art related to bituminous paving composition, which demand a prompt use of the asphalt compositions in situ. The additive contributes to preparation of a conditioned asphaltic paving mixture which may be storage at ambient temperature for longer periods, wherein the additive, at ambient temperature, may be added into a mix of aggregate and bitumen. Before being applied onto a surface, it is heated to a temperature range from 130° C. to 170° C., wherein all the necessary features to properly be applied onto the surface are maintained.

Asphalt compositions comprising reclaimed asphalt and an ester-functional rejuvenating agent derived from tall oil are disclosed. Rejuvenated binder compositions are also included. The rejuvenating agents restore to reclaimed asphalt desirable properties of virgin asphalt. Reduced glass-transition onset temperatures and improved creep stiffness in the rejuvenated binders translate to improved low-temperature cracking resistance in the asphalt. The rejuvenating agents impart desirable softening at low dosage while also maintaining acceptable penetration values. Dynamic shear rheometry results demonstrate that criteria for asphalt compositions under low, intermediate, and high temperature conditions can be achieved, and the asphalt will have good fatigue cracking resistance and rutting avoidance. The rejuvenating agents reduce the temperature needed to compact or mix asphalt compositions, which conserves energy and reduces cost. The rejuvenated asphalt and binder compositions enable greater use of reclaimed asphalt, especially RAP, and help the road construction industry reduce its reliance on virgin, non-renewable materials.

The present invention relates to a method of producing an improved asphalt. The method involves providing an asphalt and providing a compound of formula (I), as described herein. The asphalt is mixed with the compound of formula (I) under conditions effective to produce an improved asphalt. Also disclosed are an asphalt product and a method of making asphalt material. The invention further discloses a method of producing an improved asphalt comprising providing a polymer modified asphalt and providing a compound of formula (IIa) or formula (II). The polymer modified asphalt is mixed with the compound of formula (IIa) or formula (IIb) under conditions effective to produce an improved asphalt, which is yet another aspect of the present invention.

##STR00001##

Bitumen pellets including a core and a coating layer, in which: the core includes at least one bitumen base, and the coating layer includes at least one fumed silica compound. Process for manufacturing bitumen pellets and also their use as road binder, in particular for the manufacture of bitumen mixes. Process for manufacturing bitumen mixes from bitumen pellets and also a process for transporting and/or storing and/or handling bitumen pellets.

The present invention relates to an asphalt product that comprises an asphalt component and a plurality of pellets comprising a mixture of a ground tire rubber and an elastomeric polymer, where the density difference between the asphalt component and the plurality of pellets is less than 10%. The present invention further relates to a pellet comprising a ground tire rubber (“GTR”) and an elastomeric polymer mixed with the GTR, where the GTR has a density of less than 1.12 g/cm.sup.3. Also disclosed are methods of producing improved asphalt and paving a surface.

The present invention relates to relates to a method of producing an improved asphalt. This method includes providing an asphalt binder and providing a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
as described herein. The asphalt binder is mixed with the compound of formula (I) under conditions effective to produce an improved asphalt. Also disclosed are an asphalt product and a method of making asphalt material.

The present invention relates to an asphalt product that comprises an asphalt component and a plurality of pellets comprising a mixture of a ground tire rubber and an elastomeric polymer, where the density difference between the asphalt component and the plurality of pellets is less than 10%. The present invention further relates to a pellet comprising a ground tire rubber (“GTR”) and an elastomeric polymer mixed with the GTR, where the GTR has a density of less than 1.12 g/cm.sup.3. Also disclosed are methods of producing improved asphalt and paving a surface.