Abstract:
A cyclonic comminuting device includes a set of shearing plates that is adaptable to any colloid mill for improved efficiency and effectiveness in the production of all commodities including, but not limited to, asphalt or bitumen modification, tar, plastics, polymers, cosmetic processing and foods processing. The set of shearing plates includes a set of concave cutting edges. The set of concave cutting edges is applied to radial teeth of a rotor plate and/or a stator plate of the set of shearing plates forming a cyclonic flow pattern of a commodity as the commodity is passed through the comminuting device. The resulting turbulence created by the intersecting concave cutting edges on the rotor plate and the stator plate increases the effective hydraulic shear generated by the rotor plate and the stator plate resulting in greater particle pulverization and resulting in higher quality emulsions with reduced cost of materials required for production.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/219,535, filed Sep. 16, 2015. This patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for emulsifying products. In particular, the present invention relates to a set of shear plates having a set of concave cutting edges for use on a colloid mill. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Industrial-grade mixing devices are generally divided into classes based upon their ability to mix fluids. Mixing is the process of reducing the size of particles or inhomogeneous species within the fluid. One metric for measuring the degree or “thoroughness” of mixing is the energy density per unit volume that a mixing device generates to disrupt the fluid particles. The classes are distinguished based on delivered energy densities. Three classes of industrial mixers have sufficient energy density to consistently produce mixtures or emulsions with particle sizes in a range from approximately 0 to approximately 50 microns. 
         [0004]    Homogenization valve systems are typically classified as high energy devices. Fluid to be processed is pumped under high pressure through a narrow gap valve into a lower pressure environment. The pressure gradients across the valve and the resulting turbulence and cavitation act to break-up any particles in the fluid. These valve systems are most commonly used in milk homogenization and can yield average particle sizes in a range from approximately 0 to 1 micron. 
         [0005]    In contrast, high shear mixer systems are classified as low energy devices. These systems typically utilize paddles or fluid rotors that turn at high speed in a reservoir of fluid to be processed, which, in many of the more common applications, is a food product. These systems are usually used when the acceptable average of particle sizes is greater than approximately 20 microns in the processed fluid. 
         [0006]    Between high shear mixers and homogenization valve systems, in terms of the mixing energy density delivered to the fluid, are colloid mills, which are classified as intermediate energy devices. A colloid mill is a machine that is used to reduce the particle size of a solid in suspension in a liquid, or to reduce the droplet size of a liquid suspended in another liquid. This reduction is accomplished by applying high levels of hydraulic and mechanical shear via shear plates to the process liquid, thereby increasing the stability of suspensions and emulsions. Typically, colloid mills utilize a rotor shear plate and stator shear plate or cylinder. Many colloid mills with proper adjustment achieve average particle sizes of approximately 1 to approximately 25 microns in the processed fluid. These capabilities render colloid mills appropriate for a variety of applications including colloid and oil/water-based emulsion processing such as that required for everything from cosmetics, mayonnaise, or silicone/silver amalgam formation, to road and roofing-tar mixing. 
         [0007]    However, colloid mills suffer from several problems, including low throughput and long cycle times. The prior art has attempted to solve these problems by making only minor variations with limited success. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there is a need in the art to improve the process of modifying and emulsifying products including asphalt products, also known as bitumen products. Specifically, there is a need for a set of cyclonic shearing plates that modify and emulsify asphalt more efficiently than any shearing system of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    A cyclonic comminuting device includes a set of shearing plates that is adaptable to any colloid mill for improved efficiency and effectiveness in the production of all commodities including, but not limited to, asphalt or bitumen modification, tar, plastics, polymers, cosmetic processing and foods processing. 
         [0010]    The set of shearing plates includes a set of concave cutting edges. The set of concave cutting edges is applied to radial teeth of a rotor plate and/or a stator plate of the set of shearing plates forming a cyclonic flow pattern of a commodity as the commodity is passed through the comminuting device. The resulting turbulence created by the intersecting concave cutting edges on the rotor plate and the stator plate increases the effective hydraulic shear generated by the rotor plate and the stator plate resulting in greater particle pulverization and resulting in higher quality emulsions with reduced cost of materials required for production. 
         [0011]    The disclosed embodiments increase the efficiency of the emulsification process with the improved mechanical shear action created by the curved or concave cutting. The ultra-sharp intersecting edges will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the rotor plate and the stator plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In the detailed description presented below, reference will be made to the following drawings. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of a colloid mill and a set of shear plates of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is an exploded perspective view of a colloid mill and a set of shear plates of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a stator plate of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a rotor plate of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of a set of teeth of a rotor plate of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a detail view of a set of teeth of a stator plate of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of a set of teeth of a stator plate of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of a set of teeth of a stator plate of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a graph of particle size distribution of a product processed using a set of shear plates of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a graph of particle size distribution of a product processed using a set of shear plates of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a graph of content savings percentage using a set of shear plates of a preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , colloid mill  100  includes housing  101  and endcap  102  connected to rotor housing  101 . Base  103  is attached to housing  101 . Housing  101  includes product outlet  106 . Shaft  107  is connected to rotor plate  108  through housing  101 . Rotor plate  108  includes hub  109  and set of rotor teeth  114 . Fastener  110  connects rotor plate  108  to shaft  107 . Endcap  102  includes intake  104 . Intake  104  includes hole  105  to receive supply components. Any number intake holes or ports may be employed. Stator plate  111  is attached to endcap  102 . Stator plate  111  includes set of stator teeth  113 . 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, a motor is connected to shaft  107  to rotate shaft  107  and thereby rotor plate  108  about axis  112 . Supply components enter through hole  105  of intake  104  and are processed between rotor plate  108  and stator plate  111 . The rotation of rotor plate  108  about axis  112  generates shearing forces to emulsify and process the supply components entering through hole  105  of intake  104 . The resulting processed components exit through outlet  106 . 
         [0026]    Any colloid mill known in the art may be employed as colloid mill  100 . In one embodiment, stator plate  111  is optionally stationary with respect to rotor plate  108 . In other embodiments, stator plate  111  is rotatably mounted to endcap  102  or a similar housing structure via a shaft. In these embodiments, a motor is connected to this shaft to rotate stator plate  111 . In other embodiments, stator plate  111  is driven by a fluid between rotor plate  108  and stator plate  111 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , stator plate  111  will be further described as stator plate  200 . Stator plate  200  includes a set of stator teeth  201  and hub  202  integrally formed with set of stator teeth  201 . Set of stator teeth  201  surrounds hub  202 . Hub  202  includes hole  203 . Set of stator teeth  201  is arranged in a set of concentrically aligned rings  204 ,  205 ,  206 , and  207 , each of which has a different radius from center axis  216 . Each tooth of rings  204 ,  205 ,  206 , and  207  is misaligned with respect to an adjacent tooth of a different ring. For example, tooth  208  and  209  of ring  204  are separated by void  210 . Tooth  211  of ring  205  is generally aligned with void  210 . Void  212  separates tooth  213  and tooth  214  of ring  206 . Tooth  215  of ring  207  is generally aligned with void  212  of ring  206 . 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, set of stator teeth  201  includes any number of singular teeth and any number of rings of teeth. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, each of rings  204 ,  205 ,  206 , and  207  is generally circular in shape. Other shapes may be employed. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, each tooth of the set of teeth  201  includes a concave or a curved cutting edge as will be further described below. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, stator plate  200  is made of a durable material such as a titanium, a stainless steel, or an alloy thereof. Other suitable durable materials known in the art may also be employed. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment stator plate  200  is machined from a single piece of material. In another embodiment, stator plate  200  is cast in a mold from a molten material. Other suitable manufacturing means known in the art may be employed. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , rotor plate  108  will be further described as rotor plate  300 . Rotor plate  300  includes set of rotor teeth  301  integrally formed with hub  302 . Hub  302  includes hole  303  concentrically aligned with set of rotor teeth  301 . Hole  303  includes set of threads  304 . Any type of mounting means known in the art may be employed, including but not limited to, a tapered shank or a keyed alignment. Set of rotor teeth  301  is arranged in a set of concentrically aligned rings  305 ,  306 ,  307 ,  308 , and  309 , each of which has a different radius from center axis  323 . Each tooth in each of rings  305 ,  306 ,  307 ,  308 , and  309 , is misaligned with respect to a tooth of an adjacent ring. For example, tooth  310  and tooth  311  of ring  305  are separated by void  312 . Tooth  313  of ring  306  is generally aligned with void  312 . Tooth  313  and tooth  314  are separated by void  315  of ring  306 . Tooth  316  of ring  307  is generally aligned with void  315 . Tooth  316  and tooth  317  of ring  307  are separated by void  318 . Tooth  319  of ring  308  is generally aligned with void  318 . Tooth  319  and tooth  320  of ring  308  are separated by void  321 . Tooth  322  of ring  309  is aligned with void  321  of ring  308 . 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, each of rings  305 ,  306 ,  307 ,  308 , and  309  is generally circular in shape. Other shapes may be employed. 
         [0035]    In a preferred embodiment, set of rotor teeth  301  includes any number of singular teeth and any number of rings of teeth. 
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment, each tooth of set of rotor teeth  301  has a concave or a curved cutting edge as will be further described below. 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment, rotor plate  300  is made of a durable material such as titanium, a stainless steel, or an alloy thereof. Other suitable materials known in the art may be employed. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, rotor plate  300  is machined from a single piece of material. In another embodiment, rotor plate  300  is cast in a mold from a molten material. Other suitable manufacturing means known in the art may be employed. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , each of the set of stator teeth  201  and set of rotor teeth  301  has any sized tooth as desired for any desired application. By way of example, rotor plate  400  includes set of rotor teeth  401 , which includes teeth  402 ,  403 ,  404 ,  405 , and  406 . As can be seen, the arc length of tooth  402  is approximately half the arc length of tooth  403 , the arc length of tooth  404  is less than the arc length of tooth  403 , and the arc length of tooth  405  is approximately less than the arc length of tooth  404 . For example, the arc length of tooth  406  extends about axis  407  and spans an angle α. 
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment, angle a is approximately 30°. Other angles may be employed. Other arc lengths of each of teeth  402 ,  403 ,  404 ,  405 , and  406  may be employed to suit any desired application. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 5A , each tooth of stator plate  200  and rotor plate  300  has a concave cutting edge or a curved cutting edge as will now be further described. Tooth  501  and tooth  502  are separated by void  503 . Void  503  is defined by side  504  of tooth  501  and side  505  of tooth  502 . Tooth  501  includes side  510  and side  511  opposite side  510 . Surface  509  is adjacent to side  510  and side  511 . Tooth  502  includes side  512  and side  513  opposite side  512 . Surface  508  is adjacent to side  512  and side  513 . Side  504  includes edges  514 ,  516 , and border  526 . Surface  509  includes edge  515 . Side  505  includes edges  517  and  518 , and border  527 . Surface  508  includes edge  519 . Edge  514  and edge  518  are each generally curved in shape. Edge  516  and edge  517  are generally curved in shape. Edge  515  and edge  519  are generally curved in shape. Edges  514  and  519  form a generally parabolic curve. Edge  516  and  517  form a generally parabolic curve. Each of sides  504  and  505  is curved in shape forming a generally concave surface. 
         [0042]    In a preferred embodiment, sides  504  and  505  and void  503  generate shear forces when a fluid engages with sides  504  and  505  when in use. For example, as teeth  501 ,  502 , and  523  move in direction  524 , a fluid will generally follow path  525 . Path  525  will engage with edge  519  of side  520  of tooth  501 . The curved surface of side  520  will redirect the fluid along path  525  to further engage with edge  522  and side  521  of tooth  523 . As can be seen, sides  520  and  521  generate a generally cyclone-like shape of fluid path  525 . As a result, the cyclonic shearing forces emulsify and process particles more efficiently than that found in the prior art. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 5B , void  503  includes center  533 . Side  504  includes center line  528  and border  526 . Border  526  is preferably a circular arc of void  503  about center  533  having arc length that spans angle λ. Side  505  includes center line  529  and border  527 . Border  527  is preferably a circular arc of void  503  about center  533  having arc length that spans angle φ. Edge  515  spans a circular arc having arc length that spans angle β of circle  530 . Edge  519  spans a circular arc having an arc length that spans angle γ of circle  530 . 
         [0044]    In a preferred embodiment, void  530  and circle  530  are concentrically aligned. 
         [0045]    In a preferred embodiment, angle β is approximately 45°. Other angles may be employed. 
         [0046]    In a preferred embodiment, angle γ is approximately 45°. Other angles may be employed. 
         [0047]    In a preferred embodiment, angle λ approximately 135°. Other angles may be employed. 
         [0048]    In a preferred embodiment, angle φ is approximately 135°. Other angles may be employed. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 5C , edges  514  and  518  form a generally parabolic curve. In a preferred embodiment, center lines  528  and  529  of sides  504  and  505  respectively define a generally frustoconical shape. In another embodiment, sides  504  and  505  have center lines  531  and  532 , respectively. In this embodiment, center lines  531  and  532  form a generally parabolic curve. In this embodiment, center line  531  and  532  define a generally paraboloidic surface. In other embodiments, other shapes including a cylinder may be employed. 
         [0050]    Test 1 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , graph  600  shows the results of a first test of the disclosed embodiments in a colloid mill processing an asphalt product. Graph  600  includes curve  601  and bar graph  602 . Curve  601  is the passing percentage of the particles. The volume percent-in-channel (% Chan) values are read as volume percent between the particle size on the same line and the line below. The passing percentage is the “passing grade” percent of particles that are acceptable/passable in the resulting product. Bar graph  602  is the channel percentage illustrating the distribution of particle sizes in the asphalt product in microns. The data for graph  600  is displayed in Tables 1 and 2 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Size (μm) 
                 % Chan 
                 % Passing 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 704.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 592.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 497.8 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 418.6 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 352.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 296.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 248.9 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 209.3 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 176.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 148.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 124.5 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 104.7 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 88.00 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 74.00 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 62.23 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 52.33 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 44.00 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 37.00 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 31.11 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 26.16 
                 0.09 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 22.00 
                 0.35 
                 99.91 
               
               
                 18.50 
                 0.97 
                 99.56 
               
               
                 15.56 
                 2.09 
                 98.59 
               
               
                 13.08 
                 3.70 
                 96.50 
               
               
                 11.00 
                 5.77 
                 92.80 
               
               
                 9.25 
                 8.29 
                 87.03 
               
               
                 7.78 
                 11.14 
                 78.74 
               
               
                 6.54 
                 13.83 
                 67.60 
               
               
                 5.50 
                 15.42 
                 53.77 
               
               
                 4.62 
                 14.62 
                 38.35 
               
               
                 3.89 
                 11.30 
                 23.73 
               
               
                 3.27 
                 7.02 
                 12.43 
               
               
                 2.750 
                 3.64 
                 5.41 
               
               
                 2.312 
                 1.77 
                 1.77 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 1 (continued) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Size (μm) 
                 % Chan 
                 % Pass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1.945 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 1.635 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 1.375 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 1.156 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.972 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.818 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.688 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.578 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.486 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.409 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.344 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.2890 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.2430 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.2040 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1720 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1450 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1220 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1020 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0860 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0720 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0610 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0510 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0430 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0360 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0300 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.02550 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0052]    Test 2 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , graph  700  shows the results of a second test of the disclosed embodiments in a colloid mill processing an asphalt product. Graph  700  includes curve  701  and bar graph  702 . Curve  701  illustrates the passing percentage of the particles. The volume percent-in-channel (% Chan) values are read as volume percent between the particle size on the same line and the line below. The passing percentage is the “passing grade” percent of particles that are acceptable/passable in the resulting product. Bar graph  702  is the channel percentage illustrating particle size distribution in the asphalt product in microns. The data for graph  700  is displayed in Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 2 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Size (μm) 
                 % Chan 
                 % Pass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2000 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 1826 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 1674 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 1535 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 1408 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 1291 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 1184 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 1086 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 995.6 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 913.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 837.2 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 767.7 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 704.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 645.6 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 592.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 542.9 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 497.8 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 456.5 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 418.6 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 383.9 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 352.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 322.8 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 296.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 271.4 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 248.9 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 228.2 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 209.3 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 191.9 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 176.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 161.4 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 148.0 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 135.7 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 124.5 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 114.1 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 104.7 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 2 (continued) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Size (μm) 
                 % Chan 
                 % Pass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 95.97 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 88.00 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 80.70 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 74.00 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 67.86 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 62.23 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 57.06 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 52.33 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 47.98 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 44.00 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 40.35 
                 0.00 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 37.00 
                 0.15 
                 100.00 
               
               
                 33.93 
                 0.29 
                 99.85 
               
               
                 31.11 
                 0.44 
                 99.56 
               
               
                 28.53 
                 0.63 
                 99.12 
               
               
                 26.16 
                 0.87 
                 98.49 
               
               
                 23.99 
                 1.14 
                 97.62 
               
               
                 22.00 
                 1.42 
                 96.48 
               
               
                 20.17 
                 1.71 
                 95.06 
               
               
                 18.50 
                 2.02 
                 93.35 
               
               
                 16.96 
                 2.35 
                 91.33 
               
               
                 15.56 
                 2.69 
                 88.98 
               
               
                 14.27 
                 3.05 
                 86.29 
               
               
                 13.08 
                 3.42 
                 83.24 
               
               
                 12.00 
                 3.81 
                 79.82 
               
               
                 11.00 
                 4.19 
                 76.01 
               
               
                 10.09 
                 4.58 
                 71.82 
               
               
                 9.25 
                 4.96 
                 67.24 
               
               
                 8.48 
                 5.24 
                 62.28 
               
               
                 7.78 
                 5.43 
                 57.04 
               
               
                 7.13 
                 5.53 
                 51.61 
               
               
                 6.54 
                 5.52 
                 46.08 
               
               
                 6.00 
                 5.33 
                 40.56 
               
               
                 5.50 
                 4.95 
                 35.23 
               
               
                 5.04 
                 4.48 
                 30.28 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 2 (continued) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Size (μm) 
                 % Chan 
                 % Pass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 4.63 
                 3.94 
                 25.80 
               
               
                 4.24 
                 3.39 
                 21.86 
               
               
                 3.89 
                 2.86 
                 18.47 
               
               
                 3.57 
                 2.38 
                 15.61 
               
               
                 3.27 
                 1.96 
                 13.23 
               
               
                 2.999 
                 1.61 
                 11.27 
               
               
                 2.750 
                 1.32 
                 9.66 
               
               
                 2.522 
                 1.10 
                 8.34 
               
               
                 2.313 
                 0.92 
                 7.24 
               
               
                 2.121 
                 0.79 
                 6.32 
               
               
                 1.945 
                 0.68 
                 5.53 
               
               
                 1.783 
                 0.61 
                 4.85 
               
               
                 1.635 
                 0.55 
                 4.24 
               
               
                 1.499 
                 0.51 
                 3.69 
               
               
                 1.375 
                 0.47 
                 3.18 
               
               
                 1.261 
                 0.43 
                 2.71 
               
               
                 1.156 
                 0.40 
                 2.28 
               
               
                 1.060 
                 0.37 
                 1.88 
               
               
                 0.972 
                 0.33 
                 1.51 
               
               
                 0.892 
                 0.30 
                 1.18 
               
               
                 0.818 
                 0.26 
                 0.88 
               
               
                 0.750 
                 0.24 
                 0.62 
               
               
                 0.688 
                 0.23 
                 0.38 
               
               
                 0.630 
                 0.15 
                 0.15 
               
               
                 0.578 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.530 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.486 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.446 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.409 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.375 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.344 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.315 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.2890 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.2650 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.2430 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 2 (continued) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Size (μm) 
                 % Chan 
                 % Pass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0.2230 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.2040 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1870 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1720 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1580 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1450 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1330 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1220 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1110 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.1020 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0940 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0860 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0790 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0720 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0660 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0610 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0560 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0510 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0470 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0430 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0390 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0360 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0330 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.0300 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.02790 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.02550 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 0.02340 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , graph  800  includes curve  801 . Curve  801  illustrates the reduction of the percentage of asphalt needed to obtain the same desired viscosity in the resulting product. Batches  1  through  7  illustrate the reduction percentage of a colloid mill utilizing a set of conventional shear plates. Batches  8  through  14  show a reduction percentage using the disclosed set of shear plates. As can be seen, beginning with batch  8 , there is an approximately 1.4% in the percentage of asphalt savings. 
         [0055]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed and remain within the inventive concept. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover changes within the scope and spirit of the claims.