Multi-purpose reactor and process for the preparation of modified bitumen

Abstract

A reactor is provided for the preparation of modified bitumen, which reactor comprises a horizontal housing comprising a cylindrical wall and two side walls, wherein a bitumen inlet has been provided at or near one of the side walls of the housing and a bitumen product outlet has been provided at or near the opposite side wall of the housing, wherein a plurality of inlets for the provision of oxygen-containing gas has been provided in the cylindrical wall of the housing between the bitumen inlet and the bitumen product outlet, which multi-purpose reactor is further provided with a mixer arranged inside the housing comprising at least one rotor rotating within at least one stator having a plurality of openings. The reactor is used to prepare modified bitumen by contacting bitumen in the reactor with a modified elevated temperature and pressure.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reactor for the preparation of modified bitumen, which reactor comprises: a horizontal housing comprising a cylindrical wall and two side walls, wherein a bitumen inlet has been provided at or near one of the side walls of the horizontal housing and a bitumen product outlet has been provided at or near the opposite side wall of the horizontal housing, wherein a plurality of inlets for the provision of oxygen-containing gas has been provided in the cylindrical wall of the horizontal housing between the bitumen inlet and the bitumen product outlet; and a mixer arranged inside the horizontal housing comprising at least one rotor rotating within at least one stator having a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         2 . A reactor for the preparation of modified bitumen as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inlet for the provision of catalyst and/or polymer and/or additives at or near the bitumen inlet or in the cylindrical wall of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . A reactor for the preparation of modified bitumen as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a system for heating at least part of the cylindrical wall of the housing arranged within or outside at least part of the cylindrical wall of the horizontal housing. 
     
     
         4 . A reactor according to  claim 3 , wherein the system for heating is a thermostatically controlling means. 
     
     
         5 . A reactor according to  claim 4 , wherein the thermostatically controlling means is a jacket for the circulation of a liquid medium or heat tracing. 
     
     
         6 . A reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inlets for oxygen-containing gas amounts to 3 to 10 inlets. 
     
     
         7 . A reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixer comprises 3 to 6 rotors arranged on a single rotating shaft and each rotating within a stator having a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         8 . A reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is further provided with baffles running in a direction perpendicular to the side walls.