Method for rubberizing and/or pelletizing trinidad lake asphalt

摘要

Method of processing Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA), including the steps of removing Trinidad Lake Asphalt from the earth and adding thereto at least one stabilizing material of a type which increases the melting point of the TLA to produce a stabilized product. The stabilizing material is preferably clay, carbonaceous material, silica and/or polymer. The stabilized product is then pulverized or otherwise broken down into discrete elements, such as pellets or powder. The discrete elements are then packaged into, for example, polyethylene bags and stored or transported for later use. The stabilizer prevents the discrete elements from coalescing during storage or transport. The bags of discrete TLA elements may be used to improve road building mixes by throwing the entire bag, including the bag itself, if desired, into a mixer with the other road building materials. A method is also disclosed for increasing the surface tension of the TLA in order to make the TLA more user friendly.