Abstract: A system for processing waste material is disclosed that includes at least one microwave generator, at least one microwave guide operatively connecting the at least one microwave generator to at least a first conveyor unit. The first conveyor unit is provided in a first housing that includes at least one opening configured to receive microwave energy via a first microwave guide and the first conveyor unit is configured to receive and process a quantity of waste material, which includes heating the waste material to a first temperature by applying microwave energy to the waste material within the first housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are binders and methods for making such binders with crude sterols. The crude sterols improve various rheological properties of the binders. The disclosure provides a method for slowing the aging rate of aged asphalt binder comprising adding a crude sterol to an asphalt binder, wherein the asphalt binder comprises both virgin asphalt binder, and reclaimed asphalt binder material comprising asphalt pavement (RAP), asphalt shingles (RAS) or combinations of RAP and RAS.

Abstract: Pavement aging can be reduced by applying to an asphalt-containing pavement a topcoat layer or a surface treatment containing asphalt binder emulsion with sterols.

Abstract: Disclosed are asphalt and asphalt binders and methods for making such compositions with sterols. The sterols improve various rheological properties. Also disclosed are methods of determining the changes or improvements of various rheoloical properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally dry warm mix asphalt binder composition modified with lubricating agents or additives that can be mixed with aggregate and compacted at temperatures substantially below asphalt binder compositions that do not contain the disclosed lubricating additives.

Abstract: Disclosed are asphalt binder compositions and methods for making such compositions with pure sterol:crude sterol blends. The sterol blends improve various rheological properties.

Abstract: Pavement aging can be reduced by applying to an asphalt-containing pavement a topcoat layer or a surface treatment containing asphalt binder emulsion with sterols.

Abstract: A system for processing food additive material is disclosed that includes at least one microwave generator, at least one microwave guide operatively connecting the at least one microwave generator to at least a first conveyor unit. The first conveyor unit is provided in a first housing that includes at least one opening configured to receive microwave energy via a first microwave guide and the first conveyor unit is configured to receive and process a quantity of food additive material, which includes heating the food additive material to a first temperature by applying microwave energy to the food additive material within the first housing.

Abstract: A system for processing animal-based material is disclosed that includes at least one microwave generator, at least one microwave guide operatively connecting the at least one microwave generator to at least a first conveyor unit. The first conveyor unit is provided in a first housing that includes at least one opening configured to receive microwave energy via a first microwave guide and the first conveyor unit is configured to receive and process a quantity of animal-based material, which includes heating the animal-based material to a first temperature by applying microwave energy to the animal-based material within the first housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are asphalt binder compositions and methods for making such compositions with pure sterol:crude sterol blends. The sterol blends improve various rheological properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods of processing biomass include a conveyor unit associated with an inlet and/or outlet, a microwave generator, a microwave guide connecting the microwave generator to the conveyor unit that includes a microwave opening configured to receive microwave energy via the microwave guide, and a microwave suppression system including a tunnel associated with the material inlet and/or outlet, and including at least one flexible and/or movable microwave reflecting component within the tunnel, the microwave reflecting component configured to be deflected as biomass material passes through the tunnel and then returning to a resting, closed position when the biomass material is no longer passing through the tunnel. The conveyor unit is configured to receive and process the biomass material, including heating the biomass material to at least a first temperature by applying microwave energy to the biomass material.

Abstract: Pavement aging can be reduced by applying to an asphalt-containing pavement a topcoat layer or a surface treatment containing asphalt binder with sterols.

Abstract: A system for processing precursor material, including at least one microwave generator, at least one microwave guide operatively connecting the at least one microwave generator to at least a first conveyor unit, and the first conveyor unit provided in a first housing that comprises at least one opening configured to receive microwave energy via a first microwave guide. The first conveyor unit is configured to receive and process a quantity of precursor material, which includes heating the precursor material to a first temperature by applying microwave energy to the precursor material within the first housing.

Abstract: Pavement aging can be reduced by applying to an asphalt-containing pavement a topcoat layer or a surface treatment containing asphalt binder with sterols.

Abstract: Disclosed are asphalt binder compositions that contain at least one sterol or stanol additive, or blends of sterols and stanol additives, wherein the sterol or stanol additive is derived from an animal waste or manure source such as swine manure. These sterol and stanol-based additives improve various rheological properties of the asphalt binder compositions showing reduced and/or mitigated aging characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of making and using asphalt roofing materials. The asphalt roofing materials include sterols. The sterols improve various rheological and aging properties of the asphalt roofing materials.

Abstract: A system for processing material, including at least one microwave generator, at least one microwave guide operatively connecting the at least one microwave generator to at least a first conveyor unit, and the first conveyor unit provided in a first housing that comprises at least one opening configured to receive microwave energy via a first microwave guide. The first conveyor unit is configured to receive and process a quantity of material, which includes heating the material to a first temperature by applying microwave energy to the material within the first housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are asphalt and asphalt binders and methods for making such compositions with sterols. The sterols improve various rheological properties. Also disclosed are methods of determining the changes or improvements of various rheoloical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are asphalt binder compositions and methods for making such compositions with pure sterol:crude sterol blends. The sterol blends improve various rheological properties.

Abstract: Cold-in-place asphalt recycling is disclosed. A foamed asphalt may be produced by injecting water and optionally compressed air into a hot asphalt stream. A lubricating surfactant may be added to the hot asphalt stream to improve performance. The foamed asphalt may be mixed with reclaimed material to provide a uniformly coated paving material that can compacted to a desired density.