An Improved Process for Producing Artificial Asphalt.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 21st Aug., 1899-Accepted, 30th Sept., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Producing Artificial Asphalt.
I, ALBERT EDGAR ALEXANDER, of 19, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a communication from abroad by Duncan W. Peck, of Clinton Block,
Syracuse, New York, in the United States of America, Gentleman) to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to the production of an artificial asphalt for paving and
other purposes and uses.
I am aware that compositions for paving and other purposes have heretofore
been patented, which use substantially the same ingredients, which I use in my
composition, but my object is to produce an artificial asphalt and cheapen the
production, and improve the quality of the same, by an economical process, and
to that end my invention consists in mixing and commingling the several
ingredients together, substantially as hereinafter described.
In preparing this composition, I first take équal parts of coal tar and common
rosin and place them in a vessel together with petroleum residuum, the pro-
portion of the latter being from five to eight per cent of the combined weight of
the tar and rosin,
The temperature of the mass is then raised to about 320° F., while agitating the
mixture, when an additional amount of petroleum residuum, say from five to ten
per cent. of the combined weight of the above ingredients or sufficient to produce
the desired softness in the cement, is added gradually together with from three
to five per cent. of sulphur. The sulphur should be added gradually, simul-
taneously with the petroleum residuum, and the whole mass thoroughly agitated,
the temperature of the mass in the meantime being gradually raised to 350 deg.
or 360 deg. F., or higher if necessary to produce the desired result.
Coal tar pitch may be substituted for coal tar, in which case the amount used
would be decreased in accordance with the relative value of the material used as
compared with coal tar.
The above proportions may be somewhat varied to produce different results, and
the final temperature may be carried further if desired.
I have found it convenient to first mix the sulphur with the petroleum residuum
and then add this mixture while the mass is being agitated, I do this for the pur-
pose of affording an easy and convenient means or vehicle by which the sulphur
is introduced into the mass under agitation. Dust, which would otherwise arise
and create loss is thus obviated.
I do not limit myself to the use of petroleum residuum, as it is evident that
any suitable heavy hydrocarbon may be substituted therefor.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1898.

page_text: ALBERT EDGAR ALEXANDER, Chartered Patent Agent, 19, Southampton Build-
ings, Chancery Lane, W.C., do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention relates to the production of an artificial asphalt for paving and
other purposes and uses.
I am aware that compositions for paving and other purposes have heretofore
been patented which use substantially the same ingredients which I use in my
composition, but my object is to produce an artificial asphalt and cheapen the
production and improve the quality of the same, by an economical process, and
to that end my invention consists in mixing and combining the several
ingredients together substantially as hereinafter described.
In preparing this composition I first take equal parts by weight of coal tar and
common rosin and place them in a vessel together with petroleum residuum, the pro-
portion of the latter being from 5 to 8 per cent. of the combined weight of the
tar and rosin.
The temperature of the mass is then raised to about 320° F., while the mixture
is agitated, when an additional amount of petroleum residuum-say from 5 to 10
per cent of the combined weight of the above ingredients-is added gradually,
together with from three to five per cent of sulphur. The sulphur should be
added gradually, simultaneously with the petroleum residuum and the whole
mass thoroughly agitated, the temperature meanwhile being gradually raised to
350° or 360° F., or higher if necessary to produce the desired result.
The percentage of sulphur is computed upon the total weight of the other
ingredients including the petroleum residuum with which it is added.
The proportion of petroleum residuum is varied to produce a harder or a softer
product and the figures given presuppose a gravity of from 19 to 21 Beaumé for
this ingredient. I prefer petroleum residuum but it is possible to get similar
results by the use of other heavy oils.
Coal tar pitch may be substituted for coal tar in which case the amount
should be decreased in accordance with the relative value of the material used as
compared with coal tar.
It is important that the mass should be continually agitated during the whole
process to ensure a thorough mixing of the ingredients, and their chemical union,
and to facilitate the escape of the vapours and gases evolved in the reactions
which take place.
The vapours and gases liberated may be carried off by natural or artificial
draught and should not be allowed to condense and fall back into the mass.
I have found it convenient to mix the sulphur with the additional amount of
petroleum residuum and add the mixture while the mass is being agitated. I do
this for the purpose of affording an easy and convenient means of vehicle by
which the sulphur is introduced into the mass under agitation. Dust, which
would otherwise arise and create loss, is thus obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
(1) The production of an artificial asphalt from coal tar, rosin, petroleum
residuum and sulphur in substantially the proportions specified, in the manner
described.

page_text: (2) The herein described process for making artificial asphalt which consists in
mixing coal tar, rosin and petroleum together, raising the temperature of the
mass to 320° F., or thereabouts, and then adding simultaneously additional
petroleum residuum and sulphur while the mass is agitated and its temperature
is increased to 350° F., or more.
Tatad this 21st day of fenat 1900
E. P. ALEXANDER & SON,
Chartered Patent Agents.