ASPHALT OXIDATION TECHNIQUE

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for oxidizing asphalt which comprises dispersing an oxygen containing gas throughout an asphalt flux in an oxidation zone while the asphalt flux is maintained at a temperature which is within the range of about 400°F to 550°F (204°C to 288°C), wherein the oxygen containing gas is introduced into the oxidation zone through a recycle loop. The recycle loop pumps asphalt flux from the oxidation zone and reintroduces the asphalt flux into the oxidation zone as oxygen enhanced asphalt flux. In this method the oxygen containing gas is injected into the recycle loop to produce an oxygen enhanced asphalt flux. The recycle loop will typically include a pump which pulls the asphalt flux from the oxidation zone and which pumps the oxygen enhanced asphalt flux into the oxidation zone, and wherein the oxygen containing gas is injected into the recycle loop at a point before the asphalt flux enters into the pump. In one embodiment of this invention, the recycle loop will pump the asphalt flux from an area near the top of the oxidation zone and pumps the oxygen enhanced asphalt flux into the oxidation zone at a point near the bottom of the oxidation zone.