Let WRI help you develop, test and validate new feedstocks, processes, formulations and products for asphalt binders and recycling agents for flexible pavements or roofing applications. WRI is also eager to assist you to develop products and strategies so that you can achieve your decarbonization goals. For mesophase pitch, carbon fiber or other carbon materials please see Advanced Carbon Materials
Whether you need conventional testing and benchmarking of established products—or are in need of advanced product conceptualization and development—RenuMAT is here to assist you. When it comes to product development and commercialization, RenuMAT can provide proof of concept processes and products which can be scaled up and further validated at the WRI pilot facilities of the Sustainable and Emerging Technology group.
Alternative binders and extenders
WRI has a passion to be a good steward of our natural and man-made resources. This passion—coupled with a desire to push the boundaries of renewable chemistry—has allowed RenuMAT to reimagine various feedstocks into new and novel products for high-volume asphalt markets.
The patented SAR-ADTM methods is an advanced SARA separation that provides 8 unique fractions. The method provides more details on the aromatics fractions by providing 3 fractions that differ by aromatic ring sizes. Additionally, the asphaltenes are split into three solubility fractions. This advances have been demonstrated effective for:
Asphalt for Paving and Roofing
i. Asphalt/bitumen composition fingerprinting and compatibility for maximizing quality control, performance, and cost
ii. Design of bio-based and other alternative binders
iii. Compatibility of asphalt extenders, RAP, alternative binders, wastes, and additives in asphalt
iv. Identify visbroken, FCC, hydroconverted and other upgraded feedstocks (potential cracking issues or accelerated aging)
v. Colloidal and maltene stability (potential cracking, premature failure, stress sensitivity and exaggerated aging effects)
vi. Prediction of the performance grade (PG) from crude oil source or blend
vii. Prediction and modeling for performance related to:
1. Oxidative stability
2. Antioxidants
3. Compatibility with polymer modifiers, and additives such as recycling agents (rejuvenators)
4. Blending rules
Carbon Materials
i. Feedstock selection for petroleum, coal tar and other hydrocarbons for mesophase conversion
Petroleum Refining
i. Asphaltene stability for precipitation and fouling (upstream and downstream)
ii. Proximity to coke formation during processing or upgrading (optimize yields)
iii. Feedstock selection for thermal or catalytic upgrading
iv. Blending rules
v. Quick assessment of opportunity crudes
The fact that this separation is automated using an HPLC system allows for high throughput without sacrificing accuracy and precision. Samples can be run as a service, or the system can be licensed and installed at your facility. There are currently several systems licensed in the US, Canada, Europe, India and Russia.
The Asphalt Industry Research Consortium seeks to address current industry needs for developing new products, achieving decarbonization, validation of technologies, improving recycling/circularity, and enhancing performance and durability of asphalt/bitumen binders. The consortium is still admitting partners to study three new areas of focus for this iteration: 1) Alternative Binders, 2) RAP and Recycling Agents, and 3) Polymer modification.
Have you experienced a product failure, or have been unhappy with a product’s performance? Whether it was an asphalt roofing material, asphalt pavement, additive modification, or a polymer modification, WRI has decades of experience in diagnosing underlying reasons for poor performance and failure. WRI can also help you with many other chemical and physical issues with your processes, materials or additives.
Please contact Joe Rovani for more information.
For over 60 years this conference has brought together global researchers from industry, agencies and academia to discuss, debate, and showcase state of the art developments in asphalt chemistry, alternative materials, decarbonization, performance and specifications. The conference has led to safer, longer lasting, and more cost-effective roadways throughout the world. PARC also offers a unique opportunity for industry partners to exhibit services and technologies, while affording a premier networking experience.