Abstract: The present invention is directed to a an accelerator-gel additive used to deliver an accelerator such as sulfur, into a system for the production of polymer modified asphalt, vulcanized rubber or similar system. Unlike conventional methods of delivering accelerator into the system, the accelerator-gel additive suspends the accelerator in a gel system thereby preventing the sedimentation of the accelerator during processing. As a result, the polymer and asphalt are processed at lower temperature reducing the production of toxic and flammable gases such as hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a mineral acid and a polymer additive in an asphalt composition are described. Methods of preparing a polymer modified asphalt include providing a source of a neat asphalt; heating the neat asphalt; providing a source of a polymer; adding the polymer to the neat asphalt to form a blend; providing a source of a dilution asphalt; and adding the blend to the dilution asphalt to form a diluted product. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the addition of the mineral acid widens the temperature range in which satisfactory performance from a given polymer asphalt composition can be achieved or, as a corollary, reduces the amount of polymer additive that would otherwise be needed to achieve satisfactory performance within a given temperature range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a mineral acid and a polymer additive in an asphalt composition are described. Methods of preparing a polymer modified asphalt include providing a source of a neat asphalt; heating the neat asphalt; providing a source of a polymer; adding the polymer to the neat asphalt to form a blend; providing a source of a dilution asphalt; and adding the blend to the dilution asphalt to form a diluted product. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the addition of the mineral acid widens the temperature range in which satisfactory performance from a given polymer asphalt composition can be achieved or, as a corollary, reduces the amount of polymer additive that would otherwise be needed to achieve satisfactory performance within a given temperature range.

Abstract: An aromatic solvent together with methods for its preparation are described. A composition includes a paraffin fraction in an amount of from approximately 9 LV % to approximately 15 LV %; a naphthene fraction in an amount of from approximately 35 LV % to approximately 55 LV %; and an alkylbenzene fraction in an amount of from approximately 8 LV % to approximately 16 LV %. The solvent provides advantages in that the high solvency that is typical of an aromatic solvent is combined with a narrow distillation range, a high flash point and higher boiling range that is typical of an aliphatic solvent.