The present invention relates to the process of producing artificial aggregate from tailings from ore dams. The iron ore sandy tailings are mixed with a binder and, through the mixing and pelletizing process, form the artificial aggregate. The artificial aggregate produced has a spheroidal shape, a large size, a rough surface and a color that ranges between pink and dark red. This artificial aggregate is able to replace the natural aggregate, and can be used in the manufacture of a more resistant concrete, for the base and sub-base of roads, as a decorative element for gardens and beds, in addition to being a form of storage of ore dam tailings in the form of pellets, adding value to these tailings and reducing the environmental mining impacts.

A polymer-modified asphalt composition comprises or is produced from asphalt and a high-melt flow index ethylene co/terpolymer comprising copolymerized units derived from ethylene, an epoxy-containing comonomers, and optionally a third monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates, vinyl esters, and the like. The modified asphalt composition may further comprise a nonreactive polymer, such as a styrene/conjugated-diene block copolymer, and a co-reactant, such as an acid or an acid anhydride. Further provided are processes for producing the polymer-modified asphalt composition, and paving and roofing materials that comprise the polymer-modified asphalt composition.

A fender mounting assembly includes a backing plate and a branch. The backing plate is configured to attach to a slip wall to mount the fender mounting assembly to the slip wall. The branch is configured to hold a fender a predetermined distance away from the slip wall. The branch extends from the backing plate and includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the backing plate. The second section has a third end and a fourth end. The third end is attached to the second end of the first section. When the fender mounting assembly is attached to the slip wall in an upright position via the backing plate, the second section of the branch extends downwardly from the first section of the branch.

The present invention provides a long-term mooring device. A support frame is provided on a dock. The dock is provided with a free guide roller. The free guide roller is wound with a cable. An upper end of the cable is horizontally connected to a spring fixed on a lower side of a cross arm of the support frame, through a free guide roller provided on the lower side of the cross arm of the support frame (corresponding to the free guide roller on the dock). The middle of the cable penetrates through an inertial induction self-locking connection joint fixed on an end of a platform arm. The platform arm is fixed on a platform. The present invention provides an omnidirectional restoring force for the moored platform through the elastic deformation of the springs to control the movement response of the platform within a certain range.

The present invention provides a string-type mooring system. A support frame is provided on a dock. Two free guide rollers are provided at vertical corresponding positions that are respectively below a cross arm of the support frame and above the dock. The two free guide rollers are respectively wound with a cable. One end of each cable is connected to a platform arm fixed on a platform, and the other end thereof is horizontally connected with one end of a spring. The other ends of the two springs are respectively connected with a hydraulic device. The present invention provides an omnidirectional restoring force for the moored platform through the elastic deformation of the springs to control the movement response of the platform within a certain range. The present invention can adjust the slow change of the vertical position of the platform caused by tidal fluctuation.

A system includes a hole-through-middle (HTM) fender, a threaded rod passing through the fender such that the fender is configured to rotate with respect to the rod about an axis, a protective sheath surrounding the rod, and first and second mounting brackets into which the rod is threaded.

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.

A magnetic induction heating system for a railroad switch crib is a system that prevents the accumulation of ice or snow on or around the railroad switch crib area which can cause malfunction of the railroad switch components. To do so, the system includes at least one coil assembly that can be mounted under the railroad crib space between adjacent ties. The at least one coil assembly is designed to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field that agitates the atoms of the different metal components of the railroad crib space so that the metal components radiate enough heat that melts any accumulated ice or snow around the components. The at least one coil assembly can also be used to heat the railroad switch drive motor assembly by placing the at least one coil assembly under the motor drive unit to keep the unit free of ice or snow accumulation.

Disclosed herein are linear block copolymers of formula A-B-A′ or A-B*B-A′, wherein blocks A and A′ are polystyrene blocks, block B is a poly(conjugated diene) block and * is a coupling agent having a vinyl content of from 10-60 mol %. The block copolymers have a polystyrene content of from 20-35 wt. %, relative to the overall weight of the block copolymer, and a molecular weight of from 200,000-300,000 g/mol. The block copolymers can be used with a wide variety of asphalt grades, and are valuable for producing homogeneous polymer modified asphalt compositions having an effective combination of performance properties, such as acceptable viscosity, good elastic response to an applied stress, and a low non-recoverable creep compliance. The combination of vinyl content and polymerization technology allows a high solution concentration during polymerization without excessive processing viscosity.

Varying implementations of adjustable marine fender holders are disclosed, which may receive a length of rope and hold it in place so that a marine fender may be adjusted to a desired height and then fixed in place without having to untie or retie the length of rope. Holders include a friction fit feature for engaging with a nautical cleat, and a rope channel through which a rope may be passed so that a proximal end of the rope may be wedged into a set of teeth or ridges to hold the rope in place. Another holder includes a single wedged arm that may be wedged underneath a cross bar of a cleat. Yet another holder includes a collapsible friction pad that may be wedged into a cleat. Yet another holder includes a compressible friction pad that may be wedged into a cleat.