EP3256514A1

EP3256514A1 - Method for recovering and/or recycling a bituminous product

Info

Publication number: EP3256514A1
Application number: EP16704605.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Abdelaziz Bentaj; Pierre-Etienne Bindschedler; Rémi Perrin; Audrey ARNAULT; Morad BENTAJ; Gauthier DEMARET
Original assignee: Camille D'assistance Miniere Et Industrielle Cie; Soprema SAS
Current assignee: XCRUSHER; Soprema SAS
Priority date: 2015-02-13
Filing date: 2016-02-12
Publication date: 2017-12-20
Also published as: FR3032630A1; US20180010305A1; WO2016128554A1; CA2973780A1; US10280570B2; FR3032630B1; CA2973780C

Abstract

The invention concerns a method (100) for recovering and/or recycling a bituminous product by means of pulsed power, the bituminous product comprising bitumen and elements to be separated, involving the following steps: - supplying (101) a reactor (11) inside which at least two electrodes (13) extend with the bituminous product and a liquid medium of which at least one liquid component has Hansen solubility parameters δη, δρ and δd such that the bitumen is at least partially soluble in the liquid medium, the elements to be separated being insoluble, - generating (102) a series of electromagnetic pulses between the electrodes (13) in the reactor (11) so as to produce, as a result of the power, the frequency and the switching time of the electromagnetic pulses, at least one shock wave and at least ultraviolet radiation, in such a way as to disperse and dissolve the bitumen in the liquid medium, and to separate the bitumen and the insoluble elements, the liquid medium preventing the reconstitution of the bitumen.

Description

METHOD FOR RECOVERING AND / OR RECYCLING A PRODUCT

BITUMINOUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the recycling and / or upgrading of bituminous products comprising bitumen and elements to be separated, such as glass fibers, mineral fillers and / or aggregates.

BACKGROUND

Bitumen is a complex matrix derived from a double distillation of crude oil and essentially composed of aromatic, naphthenic or aliphatic hydrocarbons. Very viscous or solid at room temperature, it becomes fluid and flows like a Newtonian liquid as soon as its temperature reaches a hundred degrees. The physico-chemical characterization of the bitumen is not easy: the dissolution in a suitable hydrocarbon (heptane for example), allows to separate it into two large families that are maltenes and asphaltenes. The latter constitute the solid, polar and very high molecular weight part of the bitumen, thus giving it a certain number of particular properties.

Due to its different properties, in particular its adhesion properties to the majority of usual substrates, sealing, stability, thermal and dielectric insulation, elasticity, bitumen is used in many fields and in particular in the field construction and public works (BTP) for road surfaces and waterproofing membranes.

To enhance its properties, facilitate its handling and to increase its quality, research has been conducted to modify the bitumen and thus form a modified bitumen or an asphalt binder.

Among the changes that have taken place over time, the incorporation of polymers into the bitumen has been the most significant (modified bitumen). Whether plastomeres, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene or styrene-isoprene-styrene, these polymers provide the bitumen with better elasticity, in particular a decrease in the thermal susceptibility which results in a better resistance to cracking at low temperatures, greater rigidity at high temperatures, and better fatigue resistance.

Despite the advantages brought by the incorporation of polymer into the bitumen, the latter induce new problems such as the cost of production of the bituminous binder as well as the high sensitivity to the temperature and / or ultraviolet radiation of certain polymers.

The modified bitumen or bitumen may also be additive with mineral fillers, for example calcareous fillers, or silicates, which may or may not be flame retardant, with various additives depending on the desired properties of the final product, and be reinforced by a weft comprising glass fibers and / or polyester (in this case we speak of waterproofing membrane), so as to form the bituminous binder. Some membranes are covered with other mineral products such as sand, or slates, whose purpose is, among other things, to protect the bituminous binder from ultraviolet radiation. We will then talk about "soluble elements" to describe polymers and additives, while we will describe as "insoluble elements" the mineral fillers and UV protection elements, as well as the different fibers.

All of these elements tend to make bitumen-based products complex and a source of technical, economic and environmental problems with regard to their recycling and valuations.

Several processes for recycling bituminous products are known from the state of the art.

It is for example known to recycle bituminous products by solvolysis. For this, the bituminous product is mixed with a suitable solvent for dissolving the bitumen, so as to separate the bitumen, and if necessary the soluble elements, insoluble elements also included in the bituminous product. However, such a recycling process is also very restrictive insofar as the dissolution of the bitumen is slow, several hours are necessary, and therefore does not ensure a sufficient yield.

It is also known to recycle bituminous products by heat treatment. For this purpose, the bituminous product is heated so as to separate the bitumen from non-fusible elements of the bituminous product such as fillers.

Moreover, in these two cases, it is necessary to first operate a grinding or cutting of the bituminous product to be recycled, so as to increase its specific surface area and thus promote the dissolution or melting of the bitumen. However, such a grinding or such a cut is particularly complicated to achieve on the one hand given the viscosity of the bituminous binder which heated by the grinding operation sticks the tools and on the other hand given the insoluble elements. which may have been introduced into the bitumen to form the bituminous product, especially the glass and / or polyester fibers forming the weft.

Furthermore, the high temperatures required for the heat treatment and the presence of solvent for solvolysis can pose problems of hygiene, safety and the environment.

Another problem relating to the use of recycled bituminous binder is due to the aging that it undergoes during its life cycle. Indeed, during the recycling of bituminous products, although the recycled bituminous binder (that is to say the bitumen separated from the insoluble elements of the original bituminous product but retaining the soluble elements of the initial bituminous product) is mixed with virgin bitumen and new insoluble elements (mineral fillers, etc.) and / or new soluble elements (polymers, etc.), the performance of the bituminous product obtained from this recycled bituminous binder are nevertheless altered.

The main mechanism of aging of bitumen is its oxidation. Indeed, the aged bituminous binder has a higher viscosity and is stiffer than its virgin version and significant changes in its composition are observed. These changes may notably lead to a loss of adhesion of the bituminous product, or to its cracking.

In this respect, the rejuvenation of the bituminous binder may prove to be an important part of the recycling process.

For this, it is for example known to use bitumen rejuvenation products. These products are usually mixed with the bituminous product to be recycled to restore the original characteristics of oxidized (aged) bitumen to soften and regenerate volatile materials and dispersing oils while promoting adhesion. They restore the initial ratio between asphaltenes and maltenes. Generally, rejuvenation products must be highly aromatic and be able to improve both the temperature sensitivity and the hardening of aged bitumen. They must be composed in such a way as to increase the peptization potency of the Maltene phase.

Recycled cooking oil or motor oil, palm, rapeseed, or sunflower oil are examples of bitumen rejuvenation products known to those skilled in the art. Such rejuvenation products are, for example, described in Hallizza Asli et al, Investigation on physical properties of waste cooking oil - Rejuvenated bitumen binder, Construction and Building Materials 37 (2012) 398-405 on the use of cooking oil as rejuvenation products.

Depending on the bitumen grade and the proportion of rejuvenation oil added (1-5% of the volume of bitumen to be rejuvenated), viscosity, softening point, penetrability, and flash vary. However, by mixing aged bitumen with cooking oil in a proportion of 4 to 5% of the volume of bitumen, it is possible to obtain excellent rejuvenation results.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above by providing a method of recycling and / or recovery of a product bituminous which is fast, simple, low pollutant and low in energy consumption.

More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a process for recycling a bituminous product by pulsed power, the bituminous product comprising bitumen and elements to be separated, in which:

a reactor is fed inside which at least two electrodes extend with the bituminous product and a liquid medium of which at least one liquid component has Hansen solubility parameters δη, δρ and 5d such that the bitumen has at least a partial solubility in the liquid medium, the elements to be separated being insoluble,

a series of electromagnetic pulses is generated between the electrodes in the reactor so as to produce, due to the power, the frequency and the switching time of the electromagnetic pulses, at least one shock wave and at least one ultraviolet radiation; , so as to disperse and dissolve the bitumen in the liquid medium, and to separate the bitumen and the insoluble elements, the liquid medium preventing the bitumen from being reconstituted.

Preferably, the liquid component (s) of the liquid medium have:

a solubility parameter of Hansen 5h less than or equal to 7 MPa ^0.5 , preferably less than or equal to 4 MPa ^0.5 ,

a solubility parameter of Hansen δρ less than or equal to 7 MPa ^0.5 , preferably less than or equal to 4 MPa ^0.5 , and

a solubility parameter of Hansen 5d greater than or equal to 15 MPa ^0.5 , preferably greater than or equal to 17 MPa ^0.5 .

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bituminous product to be recycled comprises bitumen in which polymers have been incorporated, the liquid medium comprising at least one liquid component having Hansen solubility parameters 5h, δρ and 5d such that the polymers have at least partial solubility in the liquid medium, the polymers thus dissolving with the bitumen in the liquid medium, during the generation of electromagnetic pulses.

Preferably, a succession of electromagnetic pulses is generated, these pulses being emitted at a frequency of between 5 Hz and 225 Hz, preferably between 10 Hz and 40 Hz.

Preferably, electromagnetic pulses with a power of between 10 ⁶ W and 10 ¹⁴ W. are generated.

Preferably, electromagnetic pulses are generated with a switching time of between 20 and 200 ns.

Preferably, the succession of electromagnetic pulses generates an electromagnetic radiation located in the microwave frequency range, in particular a frequency of between 300 MHz and 300 GHz.

Preferably, when electromagnetic pulses are generated, a maximum voltage between the electrodes is between 20kV and 200kV.

Preferably, when generating electromagnetic pulses, a current intensity between the electrodes is between 8kA and 100kA.

Preferably, electromagnetic pulses of an average duration of 5 to 200 s are generated.

Preferably, the insoluble elements comprise:

- glass and / or polyester fibers, and / or

- mineral charges, and / or

- aggregates, and / or

plastic films, and / or

- aluminum sheets.

Preferably, after separation of the bitumen and insoluble elements, the reactor contents are sieved so as to extract separately from the reactor the bitumen dissolved in the liquid medium and the liquid medium on the one hand, and the insoluble elements on the other hand. More preferably, the contents of the reactor are sieved to retain the insoluble elements having a particle size greater than or equal to 300μηη, preferably greater than or equal to 150μηη. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the liquid medium is a vegetable oil, or a mineral oil or a synthetic oil or a bitumen.

Preferably, the reactor is supplied with oil in a proportion at least greater than 2% by mass of bituminous product.

Preferably, the oil is fed into the reactor at a temperature of between 20 ° C. and 200 ° C., preferably between 40 ° C. and 120 ° C.

Preferably, the dissolved bitumen and the oil extracted from the reactor exchange heat with the oil which feeds the reactor, so as to heat said oil which feeds the reactor.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the liquid medium is a mixture of water and a solvent chosen from naphtha solvents, aromatic solvents and biosourced solvents.

Preferably, the mixture of water and solvent comprises at least twice as much water as solvent by volume, preferably at least three more water than solvent by volume.

Preferably, the mixture of water and solvent which supplies the reactor is at a temperature of between 15 ° C. and 27 ° C.

Preferably, the dissolved bitumen and the mixture of water and solvent are decanted so as to separately recover the recycled bitumen and the mixture of water and solvent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting, and which should be read with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for implementing a process for recycling and / or upgrading a bituminous product according to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the process for recycling and / or upgrading a bituminous product according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a comparative chromatogram of a virgin modified bitumen and a recycled modified bitumen according to the invention,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are graphs illustrating an example of an electric field produced during the generation of the succession of electromagnetic pulses in the reactor of the system during the process according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 represents a system 10 for implementing a method 100 for recycling and / or upgrading a bituminous product according to one embodiment of the invention.

The term "bituminous product" means any product comprising bitumen and insoluble separable elements. These elements to be separated are for example the following:

- mineral fillers, for example calcareous fillers or silicates, which may be flame retardant, and / or

fiberglass and / or polyester forming, for example, a weft, the weft may also be covered with other mineral products such as sand or slates, so as to protect the bituminous product from ultraviolet radiation, and / or

- aggregates, and / or

plastic films, and / or

- aluminum sheets.

The bitumen of the bituminous product may further comprise so-called "soluble" elements such as pigments or other additives, and polymers. The bitumen of the bituminous product may indeed have been modified, that is to say that polymers may have been incorporated into the bitumen. Such polymers are by examples of plastomers, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene or styrene-isoprene-styrene.

The system 10 comprises a reactor 1 1 inside which is provided a chamber 12 configured to receive the bituminous product to be recycled and / or to be upgraded and a liquid medium of which at least one liquid component has Hansen solubility parameters 5 h, δρ and 5d such that the bitumen and, where appropriate, the soluble elements have at least partial solubility in the liquid medium. The elements to be separated are insoluble.

Hansen's theory is well known to those skilled in the art. In particular, the definition and calculation of solubility parameters in the three-dimensional solubility space of Hansen are described in Charles M. Hansen's article, The three dimensional solubility parameters, J. Paint Technol. 39, 105 (1967). These parameters are further described in Hansen Solubility Parameters: A User's Handbook, Charles M. Hansen Second Edition, ISBN 9780849372483.

Hansen's solubility parameters constitute a qualitative and empirical guide that is widely used in industry. The method makes it possible, inter alia, to predict the compatibility or affinity between different chemical substances. To account for other intermolecular forces, Hansen has decomposed the total cohesion energy of the system into the sum of cohesion energies corresponding to the principal modes of interaction found in common organic materials. This decomposition thus makes it possible to define the three solubility parameters: 5d, δρ and 5h. The parameter 5d is relative to the so-called "dispersion" forces of London (non-polar interactions), the parameter δρ is related to the polarity forces of Keesom (between permanent dipoles) and 5h represents the hydrogen bonds and more generally the interactions involving electronic exchanges. Debye forces (between induced dipoles) are generally low in absolute value and neglected. In other words, for two substances to be miscible, it is necessary that their three Solubility parameters are identical or very similar. In a representative way, Hansen's parameters provide access to a space of three-dimensional solubility. The unit of Hansen's parameters is MPa ^0.5 , ie VMPa.

Preferably, the liquid component or components of the liquid medium have a parameter 5h less than or equal to 7 MPa ^0.5 , more preferably less than or equal to 4 MPa ^0.5 , a parameter δρ less than or equal to 7 MPa ^0.5 , more preferably less than or equal to 4 MPa ^0.5 , and a parameter 5d greater than or equal to 15 MPa ^0.5 , more preferably greater than or equal to 17 MPa ^0.5 .

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the liquid medium is an oil, especially a vegetable oil, a mineral oil or a synthetic oil, possibly recycled. According to this embodiment, the oil in the reactor 1 1 is for example at a temperature between 20 ° C and 200 ° C, preferably between 40 ° C and 120 ° C. The liquid medium may also be bitumen. In this case, it is the oil or the bitumen which has Hansen solubility parameters 5h, δρ and 5d defined so that the bitumen and, if appropriate, the soluble elements have at least partial solubility in the liquid medium.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the liquid medium is a mixture of water and a solvent chosen from naphtha solvents, aromatic solvents or even biosourced solvents, such as methyl esters. In this case, it is the solvent of the mixture which has Hansen solubility parameters 5h, δρ and 5d such that the bitumen and, if appropriate, the soluble elements have at least partial solubility in the liquid medium.

According to this embodiment, the mixture of water and solvent is at ambient temperature, that is to say at a temperature of between 15 ° C. and 27 ° C.

The reactor 11 is provided with a pair of electrodes 13 extending inside the chamber 12 of the reactor 11. The pair of electrodes 13 is preferably tip / flat type. The anode preferably forms the tip while the cathode is flat. The electrode pair 13 is further connected to a discharge circuit comprising a generator 131 of electromagnetic pulses. The generator 131 is preferably a high voltage generator, for example a Marx generator. The generator thus makes it possible to store the electrical energy without requiring a high power supply. The generator 131 is itself connected to a control unit and to a switch through which the generator 131 releases the electrical energy into the discharge circuit. The switch makes it possible to deliver the electrical energy thus stored in very short times (principle pulsed powers). The switching time corresponds to the time taken by each electromagnetic pulse across the electrodes 13 to go from 10 to 90% of its maximum voltage value, during its generation 102.

The generator 131 is configured to generate a succession of electromagnetic pulses between the electrodes 13 in the reactor 1 1 so as to produce, due to the power, the frequency and the switching time of the electromagnetic pulses, at least one wave of shock and at least one ultraviolet radiation, so as to disperse and dissolve the bitumen in the liquid medium, and to separate the bitumen and insoluble elements, the liquid medium preventing the bitumen from reconstituting, that is to say reagglomerate, when the bituminous product is mixed with the liquid medium in the chamber 12 of the reactor 1 1. Shock waves combined with ultraviolet radiation have the effect of reducing the viscosity of the bituminous binder by micronization and dispersion in the liquid medium. It will be understood that when the bitumen is modified, the polymers incorporated therein are also dissolved in the liquid medium.

Preferably, the power, frequency and switching time of the electromagnetic pulses are defined so as to generate electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range, for example a frequency range between 300MHz and 300GHz. Preferably, the generator 131 is configured to generate electromagnetic pulses with a power of between 10 ⁶ W and 10 ¹⁴ W.

Preferably, the generator 131 is configured to generate a succession of electromagnetic pulses, these electromagnetic pulses being emitted at a frequency between 5Hz and 225Hz, more preferably between 10Hz and 40Hz.

Preferably, the generator 131 is configured to generate electromagnetic pulses with a switching time of between 20 and 200ns.

Preferably, the generator 131 is configured so that a maximum voltage between the electrodes is between 20kV and 200kV.

Preferably, the generator 131 is configured so that a current intensity between the electrodes is between 8kA and 100kA.

Preferably, the generator 131 is configured so that an average duration of the electromagnetic pulses is from 5 to 200 s.

The reactor 1 1 is pivotally mounted relative to a generally horizontal axis 14, so as to allow it to rotate between a recycling position (shown in solid line in FIG. 1) and an unloading position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1 ). The reactor 1 1 is for example maintained in the recycling position by means of a jack 15 which can be removed, when it is desired to tilt the reactor 1 1 in the unloading position.

The reactor 11 comprises a first opening 16 formed in an upper part of the reactor 11, in which, in the recycling position, the reactor 11 is supplied with bituminous product to be recycled and in a liquid medium. In the unloading position, the insoluble elements are extracted from the reactor 11 by this upper part, once the bitumen and, where appropriate, the soluble elements of the bituminous product have been separated from the insoluble elements and the dissolved bitumen, if appropriate. the dissolved soluble elements, and the liquid medium, were removed from the reactor 1 1.

The reactor 1 1 is fed with bituminous product to be recycled via a dedicated feed tank 17. The supply tank 17 asphalt product is placed opposite the first opening 16 of the reactor 1 1, when it is in the recycling position. The feed tank 17 of bituminous product is for example placed above the first opening 16 of the reactor 1 1, when in the recycling position, so as to supply the reactor 1 1 under the effect of the weight of the bituminous product. The quantity of bituminous product to be recycled introduced into the reactor 11 is for example regulated by means of a valve 18. The feed tank 17 of bituminous product and, if appropriate, the valve 18 are for example connected to the first opening 16 the reactor via a cover 19 configured to close the reactor 1 1, when in the recycling position.

The reactor 1 1 is further supplied with liquid medium via a feed tank 20. The feed tank 20 in liquid medium is for example connected to the reactor 1 1 via a conduit d supply 21 opening on the first opening 16 of the reactor, when the latter is in the recycling position. The supply tank 20 in a liquid medium and, if appropriate, the supply duct 21 are for example connected to the first opening 16 of the reactor via the cover 19. Preferably, in the supply tank 20 in a liquid medium, the liquid medium is stored at room temperature, that is to say at a temperature between 15 ° C and 27 ° C.

The reactor 11 further comprises a second opening 22 formed in its lower part, through which the liquid medium, the dissolved bitumen and, if appropriate, the soluble elements are discharged to a recycled recovery tank 23 of bitumen, for example by means of a recovery conduit 24.

When the liquid medium is a mixture of water and solvent, the recovery tank 23 may for example be adapted to decant the dissolved bitumen, if necessary the dissolved soluble elements and the mixture of water and solvent, so as to separating the water, the solvent and the modified bitumen under the effect of their difference in density, and in particular recover recycled bituminous binder on the surface of the recovery tank 23. Decantation also allows the bituminous binder to regain its initial viscosity. The reactor 11 is also provided with a screen 25 formed inside the chamber 12 and configured to retain the insoluble elements inside the chamber 12, once the bitumen and, where appropriate, the soluble elements have been removed. have been separated from insoluble elements. The screen 25 is configured to retain the insoluble elements having a particle size greater than or equal to 300 μιτι, preferably greater than or equal to 150μηη. The screen 25 is formed between the first and second openings 16, 22 of the reactor 1 1, so as to allow the evacuation of the dissolved bitumen, where appropriate dissolved soluble elements and the liquid medium by the second opening 22 while retaining the insoluble elements inside the chamber 12 of the reactor 1 1. Preferably, the planar cathode is screened so as to form the screen 25.

The system 10 also includes a recovery tank 26 for the insoluble elements. The recovery tank 26 insoluble elements comprises an opening 27 formed opposite the first opening 16 of the reactor 1 1, when in the unloading position. The recovery tank 26 and its opening 27 are for example placed below the first opening 16 of the reactor 1 1, when the reactor 1 1 is in the unloading position, so as to discharge the insoluble separated elements of the bitumen, and the if necessary soluble elements, which are retained by the sieve 25 in the chamber 12 of the reactor 1 1 under the effect of their weight.

Optionally, when the liquid medium is an oil, the system 10 may further comprise a heat exchanger 28 traversed by the supply duct 20 and the exhaust duct 24 and configured to exchange heat from the evacuation duct 24 to the feed duct 20, so as to heat the oil before its introduction into the reactor 1 1 by means of the heat transported by the oil, the dissolved bitumen and if necessary the dissolved soluble elements discharged through the conduit 24 and generated by Joule effect during the generation of electromagnetic pulses in the reactor 1 1. FIG. 2 shows the process 100 of recovery and / or recycling of a bituminous product by pulsed power. The method 100 comprises the following steps in which:

the reactor 1 1 is supplied with bituminous product and in liquid medium, a succession of electromagnetic pulses is generated between the electrodes 13 in the reactor 11 so as to produce, due to the power, the frequency and of the switching time of the electromagnetic pulses, at least one shock wave and at least one ultraviolet radiation, dispersing and dissolving the bitumen in the liquid medium, and separating the bitumen and the insoluble elements, the liquid medium preventing the bitumen from becoming to reconstitute, in other words to reappake. The shock wave or waves combined with ultraviolet radiation have the effect of reducing the viscosity of the bituminous binder by micronization and dispersion in the liquid medium. It will further be understood that the physicochemical affinities of the liquid medium with the bitumen prevents the latter from reagglomerate.

It will be understood that when the bitumen also comprises soluble elements, for example polymers as described above, the shock wave and the ultraviolet radiation make it possible to separate the insoluble elements from the bitumen and from the soluble elements that dissolve in the liquid medium. In particular, the method 100 has the advantage of not degrading the polymers incorporated in the bitumen of the bituminous product to be recycled, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and thus of allowing a possible reduction in the quantities of polymers to be introduced into the recycled bitumen. for later use.

When the liquid medium is an oil, the method 100 is particularly advantageous insofar as it also allows the rejuvenation of the bitumen, oxidized by time, at the same time as its recycling.

When the liquid medium is a mixture of water and solvent, the method 100 is particularly advantageous insofar as it makes it possible to dissolve the bitumen and the soluble elements in 30s. The electric field produced by the electromagnetic pulses is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the oil which feeds the reactor 1 1 is preferably at a temperature between 20 ° C and 200 ° C, more preferably between 40 ° C and 120 ° C. Preferably, the reactor 11 is fed with oil in a proportion at least greater than 2% by mass of bituminous product. Preferably, reactor 1 1 is supplied with oil so as to immerse the bituminous product in the oil. More specifically, reactor 1 1 is preferably fed with a volume of bituminous product corresponding to a percentage of 10 and 60% of the volume of oil fed to reactor 11.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, the mixture of water and solvent which feeds the reactor 1 1 is preferably at ambient temperature, that is to say at a temperature of between 15 ° C. and 27 ° C. ° C. Preferably, reactor 1 1 is fed with a mixture of water and solvent comprising at least twice as much water as solvent by volume, more preferably substantially three times more water than solvent by volume. Preferably, the reactor is supplied with a mixture of water and solvent so as to immerse the bituminous product in said mixture. In particular, when the mixture of water and solvent comprises substantially three times more water than solvent by volume, reactor 1 1 is preferably fed with a volume of bituminous product corresponding substantially to twice the volume of the product. solvent.

It will be understood that in order to implement the method 100, there is no need to reduce the size of the bituminous products to be treated by a grinding or cutting operation which, in particular when the bituminous product comprises glass fibers and / or polyester, is particularly complex.

Preferably, when the electromagnetic pulses 102 are generated, the power, frequency and switching time of said electromagnetic pulses are defined so as to produce radiation. electromagnetic in the frequency range of microwaves for example a frequency range between 300MHz and 300GHz.

The instantaneous pressure in the liquid medium contained in the reactor can reach 300 bar, during the generation (102) of the succession of electromagnetic pulses.

Preferably, 102 electromagnetic pulses with a power of between 10 ⁶ W and 10 ¹⁴ W. are generated.

Preferably, a succession of electromagnetic pulses is generated, these electromagnetic pulses being emitted at a frequency of between 5 Hz and 225 Hz, more preferably between 10 Hz and 40 Hz.

Preferably, when generating electromagnetic pulses 102, a maximum voltage between the electrodes is between 20kV and 200kV.

Preferably, when generating electromagnetic pulses 102, a current intensity between the electrodes is between 10kA and 100kA.

Electromagnetic pulses of average duration between 5 and 200 s are preferably generated.

The method 100 may further comprise the steps of:

the contents of the reactor 11 are sieved so that the dissolved bitumen, if any, the dissolved soluble elements, and the liquid medium on the one hand, and the insoluble elements, on the other hand, are extracted separately from the reactor 11. For example, the contents of the reactor are sieved to retain the insoluble elements having a particle size greater than or equal to

300μηη, preferably greater than or equal to 150μηη, and

the dissolved bitumen, where appropriate the dissolved soluble elements and the liquid medium on the one hand and the insoluble elements, on the other hand, are extracted separately from the reactor 11. Optionally, according to the first embodiment of the invention, the dissolved bitumen, where appropriate the dissolved soluble elements, and the oil which are extracted 104 from the reactor 1 1 and whose temperature has increased by the Joule effect during the generation 102 electromagnetic pulses, exchange heat 105 with the oil that feeds the reactor 1 1, so as to heat it and if necessary to bring it to a temperature between 20 ° C and 200 ° C, preferably between 40 ° C and 90 ° C.

Optionally, according to the second embodiment of the invention, once the bitumen has dissolved, where appropriate the dissolved soluble elements, and the extracted mixture of water and solvent 104 of the reactor 11, the dissolved bitumen is decanted, where appropriate the dissolved soluble elements, and the mixture of water and solvent, so as to separate the water, the solvent and the modified bitumen under the effect of their difference in density, and thus recover recycled bituminous binder. Decantation further allows said binder to recover its initial viscosity.

Claims

1. A process (100) for recycling a bituminous product by pulsed power, the bituminous product comprising bitumen and elements to be separated, wherein:

a reactor (1 1) is fed to (101) within which at least two electrodes (13) extend with the bituminous product and a liquid medium including at least one liquid component whose Hansen δη solubility parameters, δρ and 5d are such that the bitumen has at least partial solubility in the liquid medium, the elements to be separated being insoluble,

a series of electromagnetic pulses are generated between the electrodes (13) in the reactor (1 1) so as to produce, because of the power, the frequency and the switching time of the electromagnetic pulses, at least a shock wave and at least one ultraviolet radiation, so as to disperse and dissolve the bitumen in the liquid medium, and to separate the bitumen and the insoluble elements, the liquid medium preventing the bitumen from being reconstituted.

The method (100) of claim 1, wherein the liquid component (s) of the liquid medium have:

The process (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bituminous product to be recycled comprises bitumen in which polymers have been incorporated, the liquid medium comprising at least one liquid component having Hansen solubility parameters. , δρ and 5d defined so that the polymers are soluble in the liquid medium, the polymers thus dissolving with the bitumen in the liquid medium, during the generation (102) of the electromagnetic pulses.

4. Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein is generated (102) a succession of electromagnetic pulses, these pulses being emitted at a frequency between 5Hz and 225Hz, preferably between 10Hz and 40Hz.

5. Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein generates (102) electromagnetic pulses with a power of between 10 ⁶ W and 10 ¹⁴ W.

6. Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein (102) generates electromagnetic pulses with a switching time of between 20 and 200ns.

7. Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the succession of electromagnetic pulses generates electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range, including a frequency between 300MHz and 300GHz.

8. Process (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, after separation of the bitumen and insoluble elements, sieving (103) the contents of the reactor (1 1) so as to extract (104) separately from the reactor (1 1) the bitumen dissolved in the liquid medium and the liquid medium on the one hand, and the insoluble elements on the other hand.

9. Process (100) according to claim 8, wherein sieving (103) the contents of the reactor (1 1) to retain the insoluble elements having a particle size greater than or equal to 300μηη, preferably greater than or equal to 150μηη.

10. Process (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the liquid medium is a vegetable oil, or a mineral oil or a synthetic oil or bitumen.

1 1. Process (100) according to claim 10, wherein the reactor (1 1) is fed (101) in a liquid medium in a volume proportion of at least greater than 50% relative to the volume of bituminous product.

12. Method (100) according to claim 10 or claim 1 1, wherein the liquid medium is fed (101) into the reactor at a temperature of between 20 ° C and 200 ° C, preferably between 40 ° C and 120 ° C. ° C.

A method (100) according to claim 8 and one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the dissolved bitumen and oil extracted (104) from the reactor exchange (105) heat with the oil which feeds ( 101) the reactor, so as to heat said oil which feeds (101) the reactor.

14. Process (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the liquid medium is a mixture of water and a solvent selected from naphtha solvents, aromatic solvents and biosourced solvents.

The method (100) according to claim 14, wherein the mixture of water and solvent comprises at least twice as much water as solvent by volume, preferably at least three more water than solvent by volume. .

The process (100) of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the mixture of water and solvent which feeds (101) the reactor (1 1) is at a temperature between 15 ° C and 27 ° C.

17. Process (100) according to one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the dissolved bitumen and the mixture of water and solvent are decanted (106) so as to separately recover the recycled bitumen and the water mixture. and solvent.

18. Process (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein when generating (102) electromagnetic pulses, a maximum voltage between the electrodes is between 20kV and 200kV.

19. Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein when generating (101) electromagnetic pulses, a current intensity between the electrodes is between 8kA and 10OkA.

20. Process (100) according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein generating (101) electromagnetic pulses with an average duration of 5 to 200 s.

21. Process (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20 wherein the insoluble elements comprise:

- glass and / or polyester fibers, and / or

- mineral charges, and / or

- aggregates, and / or

plastic films, and / or

- aluminum sheets.