Patent ID: 7662226

Claim:
A process for producing an aggregate and base binder combination with enhanced performance utilizing a primer, comprising: (a) supplying a hot aggregate with a surface temperature of at least 380 deg. F.; (b) mixing the hot aggregate with a primer comprising a natural asphalt from the American Gilsonite Company with a trademarked name of Gilsonite, whose non-trademark name is uintahite and an augmenter, the augmenter comprising a processing agent, for a period of time sufficient to melt the primer onto at least a portion of the aggregate surface, the melted primer forming a primer layer over at least the portion of the aggregate surface; and (c) mixing an asphalt base binder with the hot aggregate at least partially covered with the primer layer such that the primer layer forms a primer interlayer between the hot aggregate and the base binder, the resulting combination having enhanced performance when compared with an aggregate and base binder combination in the absence of the prime.