MXPA99008926A - Asphalt compositions and methods of preparation thereof - Google Patents

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 (10);providing a source of a polymer;adding (50) the polymer to the neat asphalt to form a blend;providing a source of a dilution asphalt;and adding (60) 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.

Description

ASPHALT COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF PREPARATION THEREOF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates, in general, to the field of asphalt compositions and to the various methods for the preparation of these compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to asphalt compositions whose preparation includes the addition, at specific times, of a polymer and a source of polyphosphoric acid. The present invention thus relates to an asphalt composition of the type that can be termed polymer modified. 2. Description of the Related Art Throughout history, polymers have been added to asphalt compositions. Polymeric asphalts of the prior art of the type considered herein, sometimes referred to as polymer-modified asphalts, are well known to those skilled in the art. A conventional polymer modified asphalt is usually based on the addition of thermoplastic elastomer in the asphalt. The polymer improves the performance of the asphalt. However, polymeric additives are relatively expensive. In this way, a problem already recognized has been that polymer-modified asphalts are expensive. In the past, mineral acids have been added to asphalt compositions. Acid-containing asphalts of the prior art, of the type considered herein, sometimes referred to as acid-modified asphalts, are also known to those skilled in the art. A conventional acid-modified asphalt is usually based on the addition of a mineral acid to an air-blown asphalt. For example, polyphosphoric acid (ie, Hn + 2Pn? 3n + ?, where n> 1) can be added to air-blown asphalt in the form of phosphorus pentoxide (ie, P205). The acid improves the low temperature operation of the air-blown asphalt. The previously recognized problem has been that adding the polyphosphoric acid to the air-blown asphalt gives rise to a convention between the properties. Oil refineries are designed to refine specific types of crude oils. A refinery designed to refine crude with little sulfur, light, could not effectively refine a heavy crude, if it refines it. Heavy crudes do not require processing as severe as light crudes.

Crudes with little sulfur and sulfurous crudes are thus defined based on the percentage of sulfur contained in the crude. The point of rupture between the sulfurous and non-sulphurous crudes is not well defined, but is generally less than 2% by weight is considered non-sulphurous, while greater than 2% by weight is considered sulphurous. Most of the sulfur in the crude remains in the highest boiling fraction or the residue in the bottom or sediment, the asphalt. Since a light, non-sulfurous crude can produce only 15% asphalt, and a heavy, sulfurous crude could produce 50% asphalt, the asphalt of the non-sulfurous, light crude can actually contain a higher percentage of sulfur. The heavy and light crudes are thus defined based on the API gravity or specific gravity of the crude oil. API gravity and specific gravity are related by the following equation, GE = (141.5) / (131.5 + API) where a greater API minor G.E. The high API gravities are indicative of light crudes, while low API gravities are indicative of heavy crudes. The point of rupture between heavy and light crude is not well defined, but generally an API gravity of less than 25 is considered for a heavy crude, while an API gravity greater than 25 is considered for a light crude.

An aromatic compound is disclosed as the compounds having physical and chemical properties that resemble those of benzene. A naphthenic compound is described as those compounds that have physical and chemical properties that resemble those of cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane or other naphthenic homologs derived from petroleum. In general, the point of rupture between aromatic and naphthenic asphalts is considered in 70% of cyclics from a Iatroscan analysis. They are considered aromatic with more than 70% cyclic, while less than 60% is considered naffénico. The Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) was established in 1987 to improve the performance and durability of roads in the United States and to make these roads safe for both motorists and road workers. One of the results of the SHRP was the development of the Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements (SUPERPAVE® Asphalt Pavements with Superior Performance) specifications for asphalts. The SUPERPAVE® system specifies material characterization techniques and the results of these for asphalt performance certification within temperature ranges (for example, 70-22: from + 70 ° C to -22 ° C). By specifying the acceptable limits for the results of the characterization, more than any particular composition, the SUPERPAVE® specifications are independent of the material. In this way, an end user may require that an asphalt meet a particular SUPERPAVE® specification and be reasonably confident that an installed asphalt will function satisfactorily regardless of the specific crude oil source or other parameters of the composition, thereby controlling the formation of railings, the cracking at low temperature and the cracking due to fatigue. In this way, a newly recognized need has developed compositions and methods that comply with the SUPERPAVE® specifications consistently and effectively.

COMPENDIUM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION By means of the compendium, the present invention relates to the asphalts in which polyphosphoric acid and a polymer are added, and to the methods for the addition of these compounds, with special interest in the time during which the components are introduced. The effects of the present invention, which are more substantial, are to extend the temperature range at which satisfactory operation of a given asphalt composition can be achieved or, as a corollary, reduce the amount of polymeric additive that would otherwise be necessary for obtain satisfactory operation within a certain temperature range. These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered together with the following description and accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the following description, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and numerous specific details thereof, is provided by way of illustration and not as limitation. Many changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all these modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A clear conception of the advantages and characteristics that constitute the present invention, and of the construction and operation of the common mechanisms provided with the present invention will be more readily apparent with reference to the exemplary and therefore non-limiting modalities that they are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numbers designate the same elements in different views, and in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic block view of a first process of according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic block view of a second process according to the present invention; FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic block view of a third process according to the present invention; FIGURE 4 illustrates a schematic block view of a fourth process according to the present invention; FIGURE 5 illustrates a schematic block view of a fifth process according to the present invention; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained in greater detail with reference to the non-limiting modalities illustrated in the accompanying drawings and which are detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. With reference to FIGURE 1, in a first method a pure asphalt is subjected to a heating step 10. While the pure asphalt is hot, mineral acid is introduced into an acid passage 20. A mixing step is then carried out. for a period from about 1 to about 2 hours. Then follow another heating step 40 to approximately 300 ° F-400 ° F. Then a mixture is made in one step of the polymer 50 by the addition of at least one polymer. The resulting mixture is then added to an asphalt in dilution in step 60. Now with reference to FIGURE 2, in a second method a pure asphalt is subjected to a heating step 70. Then mineral acid is added to the pure asphalt in an acid passage 80. Then, a mixture is made by the addition of at least one polymer in a step of polymer 90. The mixture is then added to an asphalt in dilution in step 100. Now in relation to FIGURE 3, in a third method a pure asphalt is subjected to a heating step 110, then a mixture is prepared by introduction of at least one polymer in a polymer passage 120. Meanwhile, a mineral acid is added to an asphalt in dilution in an acid passage 130. The mixture is added to the acid / asphalt mixture in dilution in a step 140. Now With respect to FIGURE 4, in a fourth method a pure asphalt is subjected to a heating step 150. A mixture is then prepared by adding at least one polymer to the pure asphalt heated in a polymer passage 160. The mixture and the The mineral acid is simultaneously added to an asphalt in dilution in an acid step. Now in relation to FIGURE 5, in a fifth method a pure asphalt is subjected to a heating step 180. A mixture is then prepared by at least one polymer at Pure asphalt heated in a polymer one step of 190 [sic]. The mixture is then added to an asphalt in dilution in a step of acid 200. The resulting mixed combination is mixed in a step 210. Then mineral acid is added to this mixed combination in an acid step 220. The asphalt used in any of the five methods described above may be any suitable petroleum asphalt or asphalt residue. It is very important to observe that the asphalt of the mixture and the asphalt in dilution can be the same asphalt, slightly different or completely different asphalts. In the preferred embodiments, pure petroleum asphalts are used. Suitable pure asphalts can be based on crude oils with little sulfur or sulfur content, heavy or light crude and aromatic or naphthenic crude. In particularly preferred embodiments, naphthenic, sulphurous, heavy crudes are used for economy purposes. A preferred source of naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crudes is Venezuela. The acid that is used in any of the five methods described above can be any suitable inorganic or organic acid. In the preferred embodiments, mineral acids are used. Mineral acids include sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid. In the particularly preferred embodiments, phosphoric acid is used in the form or [sic] polyphosphoric acid or superphosphoric acid. A preferred source of polyphosphoric acid is phospholeo. The amount of acid used can be from about 0.05 wt% to about 5 wt%, preferably from about 0.1 wt% to about 2.0 wt%, based on the total weight of the resulting diluted product. In preferred embodiments, the amount of acid added is equal to about 0.4% by weight based on the total weight of the resulting diluted product. The polymer that is used in any of the five methods described above may be based on one or more suitable inorganic or organic polymers. In the preferred embodiments, block copolymers of thermoplastic or thermostable elastomers are used. Suitable elastomers include nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene (linear or crosslinked), polystyrene, polypropylene, fluorocarbon resins, polyurethane, acrylate resins, phenolic, alkyd polyesters and ethylene-propylene-diene monomers (EPDM). In the particularly preferred embodiments, block copolymers are used in the form of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). The combination of the polymer and the asphalt in which it is mixed constitutes a mixture. If the weight percent of the polymer to the asphalt in this mixture is from about 10 to about 20, the mixture can be called a concentrate.

EXAMPLES The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be further described by the following non-limiting examples which will serve to illustrate the different characteristics of importance. The examples are simply proposed to facilitate an understanding of the ways in which the present invention can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. Therefore, the examples should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Example 1 (theoretical) It is possible to prepare a composition by: providing a source of pure asphalt based on a naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela; heat the pure asphalt; provide hydrochloric acid as a source of mineral acid; adding the mineral acid to the pure asphalt, after the heating step of the pure asphalt mixing the pure asphalt for a period from about 1 hour to about 2 hours, then the step of adding the mineral acid; further heating the pure asphalt at a temperature from about 325 ° F to about 375 ° F, then the mixing step of the pure asphalt; provide SBR as a polymer source; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt in a weight ratio of about 1:10 to form a mixture, then the step of again heating the pure asphalt; provide more naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela as a source of an asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product. The hydrochloric acid can be added in an amount equal to about 0.4% by weight of the diluted product. The method of this example can be used as a basis for a process for preparing a material for paving, where the diluted product becomes the paving material, such as, for example, adding an aggregate to the diluted product.

Example 2 Sample 2 was prepared as follows: a source of pure asphalt based on a naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela is provided; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of polyphosphoric acid in the phospholeo form; add the polyphosphoric acid to the pure asphalt, after the heating step of the pure asphalt; providing a polymer source in the form of an SBS block copolymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture, after the step of adding the polyphosphoric acid to the pure asphalt; provide more of the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela as a source of an asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product. The polyphosphoric acid was added in an amount equal to approximately 0.4% by weight of the diluted product. The SBS block copolymer was added in an amount equal to about 3.0% by weight of the diluted product. The method of this example can also be used as a basis for a process for preparing a material for paving, where the diluted product becomes the material for paving, such as, for example, adding an aggregate to the diluted product.

For comparison, sample 1 was prepared as follows: a source of a pure asphalt based on the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy Venezuelan crude is provided; the pure asphalt is heated; a source of a polymer is provided, the polymer is added to the pure asphalt to form a mixture; more of the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy Venezuelan crude is provided as a source of an asphalt for dilution; the mixture is added to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; and the diluted product is mixed. The SBS polymer was added in an amount equal to about 3.0% by weight of the diluted product.

Example 3 Sample 3 was prepared as follows: a source of pure asphalt based on the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy oil of Venezuela is provided; heat the pure asphalt; providing a source of a polymer in the form of an SBS copolymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the heating step of the pure asphalt; provide more of the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela as a source of an asphalt for dilution; provide a source of polyphosphoric acid; add polyphosphoric acid to the asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product after the step of adding the polyphosphoric acid to the asphalt for dilution; and mix the diluted product. The polyphosphoric acid was added in an amount equal to approximately 0.4% by weight of the diluted product. The SBS block copolymer was added in an amount equal to about 3.0% by weight of the diluted product. Again, the method of this example can be used as the basis for a process of preparing a paving material, where the diluted product becomes the material for paving, such as, for example, adding an aggregate to the product diluted.

Example 4 Sample 4 was prepared as follows: provide a source of a pure asphalt based on the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela; heat the pure asphalt; providing a source of a polymer in the form of an SBS copolymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide more of the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela as a source of an asphalt for dilution; provide a source of a polyphosphoric acid; add the mixture and the polyphosphoric acid to the asphalt for dilution at the same time to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product. The polyphosphoric acid was added in an amount equal to approximately 0.4% by weight of the diluted product. The SBS block copolymer was added in an amount equal to about 3.0% by weight of the diluted product. Again, the method of this example can be used as the basis for a process of preparing a paving material, where the diluted product becomes the material for paving, such as, for example, adding an aggregate to the product diluted.

Example 5 Samples 5-6 were prepared in the following manner: provide a source of a pure asphalt based on the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela, heat the pure asphalt; providing a source of a polymer in the form of an SBS copolymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide more of the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela as a source of an asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; mix the diluted product; provide a source of a polyphosphoric acid and add the polyphosphoric acid to the diluted product after the step of mixing the diluted product. For samples 5-6, the polyphosphoric acid was added in an amount equal to approximately 0.4% by weight of the diluted product. The SBS block copolymer was added to the sample 5 in an amount equal to about 3.0% by weight of the diluted product. The SBS block copolymer was added to samples 6 and 7 in an amount equal to about 3.5% and about 5.0% by weight of the diluted product, respectively. Again, the method of this example can be used as the basis for a process for preparing a material for paving, where the diluted product becomes the material for paving, such as, for example, by adding an aggregate to the diluted product.

For comparison, sample 7 was prepared as follows: a source of pure asphalt based on the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy Venezuelan crude is provided; heat the pure asphalt; providing a source of a polymer in the form of an SBS copolymer; add the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide more of the same naphthenic, sulfurous, heavy crude from Venezuela as a source of an asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the pure asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product.

Results In relation to Table 1, data of the rotational viscometer (RV) and the mixer beam rheometer (BBR) for the seven samples are presented. The seven RV data provide information on the binder properties of samples at elevated temperatures. The BBR data provides information on the binding properties of the samples at low temperatures.

Now in relation to Table II, the data of the sharp, dynamic rheometer (DSR) for the seven samples are presented. The DSR data provide information on the binder properties of the samples at elevated and intermediate temperatures.

Table II Now with reference to Table III, a variety of mechanical performance data and some compositional data (latroscan) are presented for the seven samples. The absolute viscosity test could not be run on sample 7 due to the too high viscosity for the test equipment. The latroscan analysis method covers the separation of the four fractions inherently present in all petroleum-derived asphalt and the asphalt residue. The four fractions are asphaltenes, resins, cyclic and saturated.

Asphaltenes are amorphous, black solids that contain in addition to carbon and hydrogen, some nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Trace elements such as nickel and vanadium are also present. Asphaltenes are generally considered to be highly polar aromatic materials of molecular weights of 2000-5000 (numerical average), and constitute 5-25% by weight of the asphalt. The resins (polar aromatics) are very adhesive, dark-colored, solid and semi-solid fractions of relatively high molecular weight present in the maltenes. These are dispersing agents of peptizers for the asphaltenes, and the proportion of resins to asphaltenes is governed, to a certain degree, of the sol or gel character of the asphalts. The resins separated from the bitumens have molecular weights of 800-2000 (numerical average) but there is a broad molecular distribution. This component constitutes 15-25% of the weight of the asphalts. The cyclics (naphthenic aromatics) comprise the lower molecular weight compounds in the bitumens and represent the major portion of the dispersion medium for the peptized asphaltenes. These constitute 45-60% by weight of the total asphalt and are dark viscous liquids. These are compounds with naphthenic aromatic and aromatic nuclei with constituent side chains and have molecular weights of 500-900 (numerical average).

The saturated ones comprise mainly the straight chain and branched aliphatic hydrocarbons present in the bitumens, together with alkyl naphthenos and some alkyl aromatics. The average molecular weight range is approximately similar to that of the cyclic ones, and the components include the saturated waxy and non-waxy ones. This fraction forms 5-20% of the weight of the asphalts. The sample that is to be tested is first released from the asphaltenes to produce maltenes, which is the heptane-soluble portion. This solution is then absorbed in 5-micron silica gel, and fractionated by upward elution on glass rods coated with silica gel (Chromarods®) using specific solvent types, development methods and development duration. The three separated fractions are then burned from the chromarods using flame ionization detection systems (FID) and detection by thermic ionization [sic] to the flame. The FID system provides a specific response to the organic compounds, therefore, three chromatographic fractions are thus separated and identified as polar, aromatic naphthenic and saturated aromatics, or resins, cyclic and saturated, respectively. These, together with the asphaltenes, comprise the four generic fractions found in the asphalt. A practical application of the present invention that has value within the technology is the construction of roads. In addition, all the described embodiments of the present invention are useful in conjunction with the compositions, such as those used for the purpose of sealing, or for the purpose of waterproofing, or the like, there are practically innumerable uses for the present invention described herein, all of which they do not need to be detailed here. Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors to carry out the present invention is described in the foregoing, the practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It is evident that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the concept underlying the invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described herein. For example, the operation of the composition could be improved by providing additional additives. As another example, although phospholeo is preferred as the source of polyphosphoric acid, it is possible to use in its place any material or precursor containing phosphoric acid, suitable. In the same way, although styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and styrene-butadiene rubber latex (SBR) are preferred as the polymeric additive, it is possible to use any suitable viscoelastic material instead. Furthermore, the individual steps included in the preparation of the compositions do not need to be carried out in the described sequence, but can be performed in practically any suitable sequence. Furthermore, although the composition described herein is a physically separate material, it will be evident that the composition can be integrated into other materials with which it is associated. Furthermore, all the described features of each mentioned modality can be combined with, or substituted for, the described features of each of the aforementioned modalities except where such features are mutually exclusive. It is proposed that the appended claims cover all these additions, modifications and rearrangements. The advantageous embodiments of the present invention are differentiated by the attached sub-clauses.

Claims (61)

1. CLAIMS 1. A composition suitable for use in a polymer modified asphalt, the composition being prepared by a plurality of steps, the plurality of steps consist of: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a mineral acid; add the mineral acid to the pure asphalt, after the step of heating the pure asphalt; mixing the pure asphalt for a period from about 1 hour to about 2 hours, after the step of adding the mineral acid; further heating the pure asphalt at a temperature from about 300 ° F to about 400 ° F, after the mixing step of the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; add the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture, after the step of heating again the pure asphalt; provide a source of asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product.
2. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the temperature is from about 325 ° F to 375 ° F. The composition of claim 1, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 4. A mixing process consisting of contacting an aggregate under atmospheric conditions with the composition of claim 1. The composition of claim 1, wherein the mineral acid constitutes from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the composition. The composition of claim 5, wherein the mineral acid includes a source of polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid constitutes approximately 0.4% by weight of the composition. 7. A composition suitable for use in a polymer modified asphalt, the composition being prepared by a plurality of steps, the plurality of steps being: providing a source of pure asphalt; The composition of claim 7, wherein the mixture is a concentrate including from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 9. A mixing process that consists in: contacting an aggregate under atmospheric conditions with the composition of claim 7. 10. The composition of claim 7, wherein the mineral acid constitutes from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the composition. The composition of claim 10, wherein the mineral acid includes a source of a polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid constitutes approximately 0.4% by weight of the composition. 12. A composition suitable for use in a polymer-modified asphalt, the composition being prepared by a plurality of steps, the plurality of steps consisting of: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; add the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide a source of an asphalt for dilution; provide a source of a mineral acid; add the mineral acid to the asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product after the step of adding the mineral acid to the asphalt for dilution; and mix the diluted product. The composition of claim 12, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 14. A mixing process, which consists in contacting an aggregate under atmospheric conditions with the composition of claim 12. 15. The composition of claim 12, wherein the mineral acid constitutes from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the composition. 16. The composition of claim 15, wherein the mineral acid includes a source of a polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid constitutes approximately 0.4% by weight of the composition. 17. A composition suitable for use in a polymer-modified asphalt, the composition being prepared by a plurality of steps, the plurality of steps consisting of: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide a source of an asphalt for dilution; provide a source of a mineral acid; add the mixture and the mineral acid to the asphalt for dilution at the same time to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product. The composition of claim 17, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 19. A mixing process consisting of contacting an aggregate under atmospheric conditions with the composition of claim 17. 20. The composition of claim 17, wherein the mineral acid constitutes from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight. of the composition. The composition of claim 20, wherein the mineral acid includes a source of a polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid constitutes approximately 0.4% by weight of the composition. 22. A composition suitable for use in a polymer modified asphalt, the composition being prepared by a plurality of steps, the plurality of steps being: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture, after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide a source of an asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; mix the diluted product; provide a source of a mineral acid; and adding the mineral acid to the diluted product after the mixing step of the diluted product. The composition of claim 22, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 24. A mixing process consisting of contacting an aggregate under atmospheric conditions with the composition of claim 22. 25. The composition of claim 22, wherein the mineral acid constitutes from about 0.1% to about 1.0% in weight of the composition. 26. The composition of claim 25, wherein the mineral acid includes a source of a polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid constitutes approximately 0.4% by weight of the composition. 27. A method of preparing a polymer-modified asphalt consists of: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a mineral acid; add the mineral acid to the pure asphalt, after the heating step of the pure asphalt; mixing the pure asphalt for a period from about 1 hour to about 2 hours, after the step of adding the mineral acid; further heating the pure asphalt at a temperature from about 300 ° F to about 400 ° F, after the mixing step of the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; add the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture, after the step of further heating the pure asphalt; provide a source of an asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the temperature is from about 325 ° F to about 375 ° F. 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 30. A process for preparing a material for paving consists in carrying out the method of claim 27 and then converting the first mixture into the material for paving. 31. The method of claim 27, further comprising adding an aggregate to the first mixture. 32, On a road, the improvement consists of an asphalt prepared by the method of claim 27. 33. A product prepared by the method of claim 27.34. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of adding the mineral acid includes adding the mineral acid in an amount from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of adding the mineral acid includes the addition of a source of polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid is added in an amount of about 0.4% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 36. A method of preparing a polymer-modified asphalt consists of: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a mineral acid; add the mineral acid to the pure asphalt, after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the step of adding the mineral acid to the pure asphalt; provide a source of an asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 38. A process for preparing the paving material consists in carrying out the method of claim 36 and then converting the first mixture into the paving material. 39. The method of claim 36 further comprises adding an aggregate to the first mixture. 40. On a highway, the improvement consists of an asphalt prepared by the method of claim 36. 41. A product prepared by the method of claim 36. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of adding the Mineral acid includes the addition of the mineral acid in an amount from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of adding the mineral acid includes the addition of a source of a polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid is added in an amount of about 0.4% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 44. A method of preparing a polymer modified asphalt consists of: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide a source of an asphalt for dilution; provide a source of a mineral acid; add the mineral acid to the asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product after the step of adding the mineral acid to the asphalt for dilution; and mixing the diluted product. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 46. A process for preparing a material for paving consists in carrying out the method of claim 44 and then converting the first mixture in the material for paving. 47. The method of claim 44 further comprises adding an aggregate to the first mixture. 48. On a highway, the improvement consists of an asphalt prepared by the method of claim 44. 49. A product prepared by the method of claim 44. 50. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of adding the mineral acid includes the addition of the mineral acid in an amount from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of adding the mineral acid includes the addition of a source of a polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid is added in an amount of about 0.4% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 52. A method of preparing a polymer-modified asphalt consists of: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; ditioning the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the heating step of the pure asphalt; provide a source of an asphalt for dilution; provide a source of a mineral acid; add the mixture and the mineral acid to the asphalt for dilution simultaneously to form a diluted product; and mix the diluted product. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 54. A process for preparing a material for paving comprises performing the method of claim 52 and then converting the first mixture into the material for paving. 55. The method of claim 52 further comprises adding an aggregate to the first mixture. 56. On a highway, the improvement consists of an asphalt prepared by the method of claim 52. 57. A product prepared by the method of claim 52. 58. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of adding the Mineral acid includes the addition of the mineral acid in an amount from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the step of adding the mineral acid includes the addition of a source of a polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid is added in an amount of about 0.4% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 60. A method of preparing a polymer modified asphalt comprises: providing a source of pure asphalt; heat the pure asphalt; provide a source of a polymer; adding the polymer to the pure asphalt to form a mixture after the step of heating the pure asphalt; provide a source of an asphalt for dilution; add the mixture to the asphalt for dilution to form a diluted product; mix the diluted product; provide a source of a mineral acid; and adding the mineral acid to the diluted product after the step of mixing the diluted product. 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the mixture is a concentrate that includes from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of the polymer. 62. A process for preparing a material for paving comprises performing the method of claim 60 and then converting the first mixture into the material for paving, 63. The method of claim 60 further comprises adding an aggregate to the first mixture. 64. On a highway, the improvement consists of an asphalt prepared by the method of claim 60. 61. A product prepared by the method of claim 60. The method of claim 60, wherein the step of adding the Mineral acid includes the addition of the mineral acid in an amount from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt. 67. The method of claim 66, wherein the step of adding the mineral acid includes the addition of a source of a polyphosphoric acid and the mineral acid is added in an amount of about 0.4% by weight of the polymer modified asphalt.