Pavement repair system utilizing solid phase autoregenerative cohesion
First Claim
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1. A method for repairing an asphalt pavement, comprising:
- passing an emitter over an asphalt pavement comprising asphalt that is aged, wherein the emitter generates electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 20 nm to 2 mm, the radiation penetrating into the asphalt pavement to a depth of at least 2 inches, wherein a temperature differential throughout a top two inches of asphalt pavement is 100°
F. or less, wherein a highest temperature in the top two inches of asphalt pavement does not exceed 300°
F., and wherein a minimum temperature in the top two inches of asphalt pavement is at least 200°
F., whereby voids and interstices in the asphalt pavement are disturbed without dehydrogenation of the asphalt, and whereby oligomers present in the asphalt are linked together into longer polymer chains, whereby ductility of the asphalt is improved.
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Abstract
A method for repairing an aged asphalt pavement is provided. The method involves passing an emitter over the aged asphalt pavement, wherein the emitter generates electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 20 microns to 1 mm that penetrates into the pavement to a depth of at least 2 inches. The asphalt pavement is repaired by disturbing voids and interstices in the damaged pavement without dehydrogenation of the asphalt, such that oligomers present in the aged asphalt are linked together into longer polymer chains to improve ductility of the aged asphalt.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for repairing an asphalt pavement, comprising:
passing an emitter over an asphalt pavement comprising asphalt that is aged, wherein the emitter generates electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 20 nm to 2 mm, the radiation penetrating into the asphalt pavement to a depth of at least 2 inches, wherein a temperature differential throughout a top two inches of asphalt pavement is 100°
F. or less, wherein a highest temperature in the top two inches of asphalt pavement does not exceed 300°
F., and wherein a minimum temperature in the top two inches of asphalt pavement is at least 200°
F., whereby voids and interstices in the asphalt pavement are disturbed without dehydrogenation of the asphalt, and whereby oligomers present in the asphalt are linked together into longer polymer chains, whereby ductility of the asphalt is improved.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for repairing an asphalt pavement, comprising:
passing an emitter over an asphalt pavement comprising asphalt that is aged, wherein the emitter generates electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 2 mm to 5 mm, the radiation penetrating into the asphalt pavement to a depth of at least 2 inches, wherein a temperature differential throughout a top two inches of asphalt pavement is 100°
F. or less, wherein a highest temperature in the top two inches of asphalt pavement does not exceed 300°
F., and wherein a minimum temperature in the top two inches of asphalt pavement is at least 200°
F., whereby voids and interstices in the asphalt pavement are disturbed without dehydrogenation of the asphalt, and whereby oligomers present in the asphalt are linked together into longer polymer chains, whereby ductility of the asphalt is improved.- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
Specification