An Improved Process for Producing Artifloial Asphalt.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Producing Artifloial 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 process for producing 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 equal 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 ten to twenty per cent. of the combined weight
of the tar and rosin.
The temperature of the mass is then raised, under agitation, to about 320 F.,
when from three to five per cent. of sulphur is added, and the agitation con-
tinued, and the temperature is raised to 350 or 360° F., or further if desired.
Coal tar pitch may be substituted for coal tar, in which case the amount
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 raised if desired.
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 thin nd law of Namamhan 1000
ALBERT EDGAR ALEXANDER, Chartered Patent Agent, 19, Southampton Build-
ings, Chancery Lane, W.C., do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
[Price 8d.]

page_text: 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 a process for producing 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
proportion of the latter being from 10 to 20 per cent. of the combined weight of
the tar and rosin.
The temperature of the mass is then raised, under agitation, to about 320° F.,
when from three to five per cent. of sulphur is added gradually while the agitation
is continued and the temperature is gradually raised to 350° or 360° F., or further
if desired.
The percentage of sulphur is computed upon the total weight of the other,
ingredients mentioned.
The proportion of petroleum residuum is varied with the degree of hardness
or softness desired in the 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 and I do not limit
my process to petroleum residuum.
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.
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.
(2) The herein described process for making artificial asphalt which consists in
mixing coal tar, rosin and à suitable heavy oil together, raising the temperature
of the mass to 320° F., or thereabouts, while agitating the same, and then adding
sulphur while the mass is being agitated and its temperature is increased to
350° F., or more.