Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PCT PATENT APPLICATION
DUST SUPPRESSION AGENT
1. Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Serial No.
12/729,683
filed March 23, 2010, now pending and incorporated herein by reference. This
application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/177,749
filed May
13, 2009 now pending and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/234,388 filed August 17, 2009 now
pending and
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and Provisional Patent
Application No.
61/309,223 filed March 29, 2010, now pending and incorporated herein by
reference in
its entirety.
[0002] U.S. Serial No. 12/729,683 claims priority to Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/165,235 filed March 31, 2009 and Provisional Patent
Application No.
61/169,041 filed April 14, 2009, both of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
II. Background
Field
[0003] This invention generally relates to methods and compositions for
improving the strength and longevity of secondary roadways through
environmentally
sound practices; specifically, improved dust suppression, soil stabilization,
and water
repellency.
B. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The engineering and construction of secondary roads (hereafter, "gravel
roads," "earth roads," or "unpaved roads") has been perpetually plagued by two
interrelated problems: the deterioration of the road due to water, and the
loss of surface
cohesion and road compaction due to traffic. The deleterious effects of water
on
roadways, in particular, are well documented in the prior art. In cold
weather, moisture
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that penetrates a road's base layers freezes and rips cracks into the road
substrate that
seriously undermine the load bearing capacity and longevity of the roadway.
Likewise, in
milder weather, when water seeps into the road's base layers it results in
softening and
erosion that causes potholes that are an expensive and recurring problem. And
if the
potholes are not immediately repaired, they fill with water and further
exacerbate the
deterioration of the roadway.
[0005] The impact of water on secondary roads-such as rural roads, access
roads, field and forestry roads, or mountain roads-is especially pronounced
because the
quality of the surfacing materials is lower than in an asphalt paved road, for
example, and
thus provides reduced surface protection from the elements. Additionally,
because of
capillary action, water also seeps into the road base from the sides and
bottom of the
road's base or sub-base. Compared to sealed or "paved" roads, which require
large
machinery to pour concrete or to lay and smooth a bitumen-based surface,
secondary
unpaved roads are relatively easy and inexpensive to build. But unpaved roads
require
much more frequent maintenance-particularly after wet periods or when faced
with
increased traffic-and are generally prone to other problems not associated
with paved
roads.
[0006] For example, many secondary roads-of either an earth or gravel
variety-utilize native soils, often in conjunction with gravel quarried from
local
resources, to create the road's sub-base and base layers. Unfortunately,
native soils and
gravel are not always of suitable quality, resulting in a road base with
diminished
physical and mechanical properties. When secondary roads are constructed of
poor road
base materials, routine maintenance is not strictly employed, and the road is
exposed to
heavy moisture and/or traffic, the erosion of the road-due to damage to the
road surface,
sub-base, and base materials-is hastened.
[0007] Defects in road surfaces are typically classified into two categories:
surface deterioration and surface deformation. While surface deterioration is
related
mostly to the quality of the surfacing materials and the way they respond to
weather or
traffic stresses, surface deformations often have combined causes that include
both
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stresses to the road surface itself and other factors such as sub-base and
base capacity and
stability.
[0008] Surface deterioration is exemplified by "dust," the result of loss of
fine
binder material from road surfaces. Dust is a substantial problem for
secondary roads, as
the loss of these fine materials leads to other types of road distress such as
loss of
cohesion and compaction of the road fill material, and reduced capacity to
maintain the
requisite moisture in the road fill.
[0009] Surface deformations include ruts, corrugations, depressions, and
potholes.
Ruts are longitudinal depressions in the wheel paths caused by high moisture
content,
inadequate strength in the subsurface soil or base, inadequate surface course
thickness, or
heavy traffic loads. Corrugating or "washboarding" is a series of ridges and
depressions
across the road surface caused by lack of surface cohesion. Depressions are
localized low
areas one or more inches below the surrounding road surfaces that are caused
by
settlement, excessive moisture content, and/or improper drainage. Potholes are
small
depressions or voids in the road surface one or more inches deep which are
caused by
excessive moisture content, poor drainage, weak sub-base or base, poorly
graded
aggregate, or a combination of these factors.
[0010] As such, the problems typically associated with secondary roads-both
surface deterioration and deformation-are caused by: 1) the harmful effects of
water and
high moisture content, including settlement and erosion, on the road surface
and base, 2)
the lack of surface cohesion and resulting loss of road compaction caused by
dust, and 3)
the heavy traffic loads exerted on roads with weak or inadequate soil, sub-
base, or base.
[0011] Industry has provided for the addition of various chemical additives to
impart water repellency on road materials, with varying degrees of success and
environmental impact. However, water repellant chemicals are not binders, and
load
bearing capacity and stability are not improved by their application to the
soil or road
base. In many cases, dust can also be reduced on gravel roads by applying
chemical
additives (commonly known in the art as "dust suppressors" or "dust
retardants") which
draw moisture from the air to improve fine aggregate cohesion. And "soil
stabilizers,"
which are chemicals designed to act as binders and coalesce forming bonds
between the
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soil or aggregate particles, have shown promise in greatly improving the load
bearing and
traffic capacity of the road. But existing soil stabilizers and dust
retardants are difficult to
apply and use in cold climates, tend to have long cure times, short life-
cycles, and do not
provide the requisite protection against water damage; particularly excessive
moisture
content resulting from capillary action.
[0012] Therefore, a chemical composition capable of resisting the
aforementioned
problems-by providing water repellency for reduced moisture content, dust
retardant for
improved surface cohesion, and soil stabilizers for improved load bearing and
traffic
capacity-would be of great utility in the field of art; particularly if the
chemical
composition could be applied in an economical and environmentally sound
manner.
Although road builders have long employed soil additives as a mechanism for
preventing
and avoiding surface deteriorations and deformations, formulating a
combination of
chemicals and a methodology for applying the chemical additives in a cost-
effective
manner has proved elusive. Specifically, although various chemicals have been
provided
for binding road base materials together for improved strength and load
bearing capacity
and for repelling water from the road surface, previous efforts have thus far
failed to
provide an environmentally appropriate solution to the secondary road erosion
and
maintenance issues that have long plagued the art. Thus, there is a need in
the art for
improved compositions that provide extraordinary increases in load bearing
capacity,
outstanding dust retardant capabilities, superior water repellant properties,
and can be
administered in a single application phase. Such an improved composition could
provide
an engineered stabilized water repellant road base and surface topping for
earth or gravel
roads; or, it could prepare a road sub-base or base for chip sealing, paving,
or milling
applications.
[0013] Repairing damaged roadways by conventional methods can be extremely
expensive, time consuming, and environmentally disruptive because the entire
compacted
gravel layer of the road must be replaced. Excavating the roadbed of a 1-km
portion of
road measuring 4 in in width produces about 2000 cubic meters (m3) of earthy
waste; in a
conventional road bed repair project, this would require roughly 220
truckloads of waste
to be removed from the worksite, with 220 truckloads of new gravel being
shipped back
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the worksite to complete the project. In isolated locations, or locations with
difficult
terrain, the expense of removing and later replacing the gravel is exorbitant-
as is the
impact on local residents (who must cope with noise and air pollution), normal
users of
the roadway (who experience detours or extended delays during repair), and the
landfills
that store the removed waste.
[0014] As a result, there is a need in the art for a single phase chemical
treatment
method that incorporates soil stabilization, dust retardant, and water
repellant chemicals
into native soils. With such a single phase treatment option, road builders
will be able
improve the longevity of the roadway, impart increased load bearing and
traffic capacity,
and reduce the time, costs, and environmental impact associated with
conventional road
repair projects.
III. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0015] At least one embodiment of the invention is set forth in the following
description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly
pointed out and
set forth in the appended claims.
[0016] FIGURE 1 shows a pulvimixer;
[0017] FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the pulvimixer, wherein the soil or road
base materials are being pulverized, sprayed, and mixed with the chemical
composition
of the present invention;
[0018] FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of the pulvimixer;
[0019] FIGURE 4 shows a graph showing unconfined compressive strength
(UCS) in an oven;
[0020] FIGURE 5 shows a graph showing UCS in a freezer;
[0021] FIGURE 6 shows a graph showing % change in UCS in an oven; and,
[0022] FIGURE 7 shows a graph showing % change in UCS in a freezer.
IV. Summary
[0023] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention
are
the provision of a single chemical soil or road base material improvement
composition
that imparts extraordinary dust control, soil stabilization, and water
repellency properties
onto native soils or other road base materials.
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[0024] Additionally, the present invention provides a method for a single
application phase treatment of soil or road base materials characterized by
reduced cure
time, decreased road construction time, reduced environmental impact (by
virtue of
reduced construction waste and traffic), a wider range of effective
application and use
temperatures, a long life cycle, and a stronger more dust resistant roadway.
[0025] Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in
the
art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following
detailed
specification.
V. Detailed Description
[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, a composition for improving
the properties of soil or other road base materials is provided. Specifically,
a blended
mixture of the chemical composition detailed below is capable of improving the
dust
retardant, water repellant, and soil stabilization properties of soil or other
road base
materials. Incorporating the chemical improvement composition into soil, or
other road
base materials, and then compacting, provides superior resistance to surface
deformations
and deterioration by increasing the load-bearing strength-in some cases, as
much as
500%-of the roadway, greatly reducing dust caused by traffic or weather, and
eliminating capillary water uptake that results in moisture damage to the
road. This
invention is an improvement over traditional methods because it provides a
composition
that can be applied in a single application phase, under a wide range of
ambient
temperatures and conditions, to resolve all of the above problems in the field
of art.
[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of the
composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials can
include a dust
suppression and/or soil stabilization composition that is an aqueous emulsion
comprising
about 0% to about 50% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50) of
acrylic polymer,
about 0% to about 50% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50) of
polyvinyl acetate
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polymer, about 0% to about 50% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1,
2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,
and 50) glycerin,
and about 50% to about 95% by weight (including, but not limited to, 50, 51,
52, 53, 54,
55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73,
74, 75, 76, 77, 78,
79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95) of
water.
[00281 In another embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of
the
composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials can
include a dust
suppression and/or soil stabilization composition that is an aqueous emulsion
comprising
about 0% to about 25% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25) of acrylic
polymer, about
0% to about 25% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25) of polyvinyl
acetate
polymer, about 0% to about 50% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1,
2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,
and 50) glycerin,
and about 30% to about 95% by weight (including, but not limited to, 30, 31,
32, 33, 34,
35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53,
54, 55, 56, 57, 58,
59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77,
78, 79, 80, 81, 82,
83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95) of water.
[00291 In another embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of
the
composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials can
include a dust
suppression and/or soil stabilization composition that is an aqueous emulsion
comprising
about 0% to about 20% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20) of acrylic polymer, about 0%
to about 20%
by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, and 20) of polyvinyl acetate polymer, about 40% to about 99%
by weight
(including, but not limited to, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50,
51, 52, 53, 54, 55,
56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,
75, 76, 77, 78, 79,
80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98,
and 99) glycerin,
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and about 0% to about 40% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
28, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40) of water.
[0030] In another embodiment, wherein the temperatures will be above freezing,
the composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials is
comprised of
an aqueous solution of a water repellant in combination with an aqueous
emulsion of a
soil stabilizer and dust retardant. In one embodiment of the present
invention, the
characteristics of the composition for chemical improvement of soil or road
base
materials can include an aqueous solution of a water repellant that comprises
about 1.0%
to about 5.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) of
potassium
hydroxide; about 10.0% to about 30.0% by weight (including, but not limited
to, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and
30) of potassium
methylsiliconate; and about 65.0% to about 89.0% by weight (including, but not
limited
to, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,
83, 84, 85, 86, 87,
88, and 89) of water. In yet another embodiment of the invention, instead of
the
aforementioned potassium methylsiliconate, the aqueous solution of a water
repellant
comprises about 10.0% to about 30.0% by weight (including, but not limited to,
10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and
30) of sodium
methylsiliconate.
[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics of the
composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials can
include a dust
suppression and/or soil stabilization composition that is an aqueous emulsion
comprising
about 5.0% to about 60.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, 35,
36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,
55, 56, 57, 58, 59
and 60) of polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl acetate and 40.0% to about 95.0% by
weight
(including, but not limited to, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50,
51, 52, 53, 54, 55,
56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,
75, 76, 77, 78, 79,
80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95) of water.
It is to be
understood that this embodiment could consist of straight acrylic, straight
polyvinyl
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acetate or an SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), all in blends, copolymers, or
homopolymers.
[00321 In a different embodiment of the present invention, the characteristics
of
the composition for chemical improvement of soil or road base materials can
include a
dust suppression and/or soil stabilization composition that is an aqueous
emulsion
comprising about 0.1% to about 20.0% by weight (including, but not limited to,
0.1, 0.2,
0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7,
1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2,
2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7,
3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2,
4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7,
5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2,
6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7,
7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2,
8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7,
9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20) of acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetate
polymer; about
40.0% to about 99.8% by weight (including, but not limited to, 40, 41, 42, 43,
44, 45, 46,
47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,
66, 67, 68, 69, 70,
71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,
90, 91, 92, 93, 94,
95, 96, 97, 98, 99.0, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8) of
glycerin; and about
0.1% to about 40.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3,
0.4, 0.5, 0.6,
0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1,
2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6,
2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1,
4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6,
4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1,
6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6,
6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1,
8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6,
8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
38, 39, and 40) of
water.
[00331 In another embodiment of the invention, the composition for chemical
improvement of soil or road base materials can comprise about 2.5% to about
30.0% by
weight (including, but not limited to, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,
3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7,
3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2,
5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7,
5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2,
7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7,
7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2,
9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7,
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9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
27, 28, 29, and
30) of polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl acetate polymer; about.5% to about 2.5%
by
weight (including, but not limited to, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7,
1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5) of potassium hydroxide; about 5.0%
to about
15.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, and 15) of
potassium methylsiliconate; and about 52.5% to about 92.0% by weight
(including, but
not limited to, 52.5, 52.6, 52.7, 52.8, 52.9, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,
61, 62, 63, 64,
65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83,
84, 85, 86, 87, 88,
89, 90, 91, and 92) of water.
[0034] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the composition for
chemical
improvement of soil or road base materials can comprise about 3.75% to about
45.0% by
weight (including, but not limited to, 3.75, 3.76, 3.77, 3.78, 3.79, 3.8, 3.9,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45) of polyacrylic acid and
polyvinyl
acetate polymer; about 0.25% to about 1.25% by weight (including, but not
limited to,
0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1,
1.2, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23,
1.24, and 1.25) of potassium hydroxide; about 2.5% to about 7.5% by weight
(including,
but not limited to, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,
3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1,
4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6,
5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6. 1,
6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5) of
potassium
methylsiliconate; and about 46.25% to about 93.5% by weight (including, but
not limited
to, 46.25, 46.26, 46.27, 46.28, 46.29, 46.3, 46.4, 46.5, 46.6, 46.7, 46.8,
46.9, 47, 48, 49,
50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68,
69, 70, 71, 72, 73,
74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92,
93.0, 93.1, 93.2,
93.3, 93.4, and 93.5) of water.
[0035] In still another embodiment of the invention, the composition for
chemical
improvement of soil or road base materials can comprise about 1.25% to about
15.0% by
weight (including, but not limited to, 1.25, 1.26, 1.27, 1.28, 1.29, 1.3, 1.4,
1.5, 1.6, 1.7,
1.8, 1.9, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15) of polyacrylic
acid and polyvinyl
acetate polymer; about 0.75% to about 3.75% by weight (including, but not
limited to,
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0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,
3.70, 3.71, 3.72,
3.73, 3.74, and 3.75) of potassium hydroxide; about 7.5% to about 22.5% by
weight
(including, but not limited to, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19, 20, 21, 22.0, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, and 22.5) of potassium
methylsiliconate; and
about 58.75% to about 90.5% by weight (including, but not limited to, 58.75,
58.76,
58.77, 58.78, 58.79, 58.8, 58.9, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69,
70, 71, 72, 73,
74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90.0, 90.1,
90.2, 90.3, 90.4,
and 90.5) of water. It is to be understood that this embodiment could comprise
mixtures,
copolymers, or homopolymers of acrylics, polyvinyl acetates, styrene butadiene
rubbers,
and styrene acrylics.
[0036] In still other embodiments of the present invention, the dust
suppression
and/or soil stabilization portion of the composition can also include an
emulsifier.
Furthermore, in certain embodiments of the invention, the polyacrylic acid
and/or
polyvinyl acetate can comprise a mixture of homopolymers, or can comprise one
or more
copolymers. Some embodiments may include styrene butadiene rubber and related
compositions, copolymers, and/or derivatives thereof. The chemical
compositions
described above are manufactured using conventional manufacturing equipment.
Conventional mixers, emulsifiers, or colloid mills are utilized to blend these
components
into stable heterogeneous mixers or emulsions.
[0037] According to embodiments where the polyacrylic acid and/or polyvinyl
acetate components comprise homopolymers, the homopolymer components can be
present in ratios from about 1:1 to about 1:10,000 by mass of polyacrylic acid
to
polyvinyl acetate; or, from about 1:1 to about 1:10,000 by mass of polyvinyl
acetate to
polyacrylic acid.
[0038] According to embodiments where the polyacrylic acid and/or polyvinyl
acetate components comprise one or more copolymers, the copolymers can
comprise
random copolymers, block copolymers, graft copolymers and the like or any
combination
thereof. Furthermore, the ratio of acrylic acid units to vinyl acetate units
within a
copolymer can comprise from about 1:1 to about 1:10,000 by mass of acrylic
acid units to
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vinyl acetate units; or, from about 1:1 to about 1:10,000 by mass of vinyl
acetate units to
acrylic acid units.
[0039] Regardless of whether the embodiment comprises homopolymers and/or
copolymers, each polymer component can be present in a wide variety of
molecular
weights and polydispersities thereof. For instance, suitable molecular weight
ranges can
comprise from about 103 to about 104 g/mol, from about 104 to about 105 g/mol,
from
about 105 to about 106 g/mol, from about 106 to about 107 g/mol, from about
107 to about
108 g/mol, from about 108 to about 109 g/mol, or even from about 109 to about
1010
g/mol. Here, as elsewhere in the specification and claims, ranges may be
combined.
Furthermore, the foregoing molecular weight ranges can be calculated according
to any
method known in the art including, without limitation, weight average
molecular weight
and number average molecular weight. One of skill in the art will recognize
that the
numerical value of a polymer molecular weight differs according to the
calculation
method.
[0040] A composition according to the aforementioned embodiments can
comprise a dust suppression, soil stabilization, and/or water repellant
composition that
can, for instance, be applied to unpaved road surfaces (either soil, earth,
dirt, gravel, or
other conventional aggregate substances). Such compositions may decrease the
amount
of dust caused by wind erosion or generated by vehicles operating on the
unpaved
surface. Other embodiments can alternatively or additionally comprise a soil
stabilization
composition that increases the California Bearing Ratio (CBR value) and R-
value of the
soil or road base. In still other embodiments, the composition can
alternatively or
additionally comprise a water repellant component that eliminates, or greatly
reduces,
capillary water uptake into road surfaces, bases, and sub-bases. Accordingly,
such
compositions can increase the weight-bearing capacity of an unpaved road
surface,
prevent erosion thereof, prevent water uptake thereof, or otherwise enhance
the
mechanical characteristics of the soil to which it is applied.
[0041] In several embodiments of the present invention, methods for improving
soil or road base materials are provided. In one embodiment, a heterogeneous
mixture of
an aqueous solution of a water repellant and aqueous emulsion of a soil
stabilizer and
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dust retardant-according to the various chemical embodiments described above-
is
provided and applied to soil or road base materials (thereafter, "treated soil
or road base
materials"). As used in this patent application, the term "soil" is broadly
used to describe
the top layer of the earth's surface, consisting of rock and mineral particles
mixed with
organic matter (also known as, by non-limiting reference, earth or dirt);
whether
originally located at the road construction site ("native soil" or "in situ
soil") or
transported to the road construction site. As used in this patent application,
the phrase
"road base materials" is broadly used to describe any substance from which a
road
surface, base, or sub-base could be constructed; including, but certainly not
limited to by
this non-limiting reference, rock, broken rock, gravel (whether pebble,
granule, or other
size or mixture), sand, cobble, slag, or other construction aggregate or fill
material. In
these embodiments, the material being treated is graded prior to application.
Soil high in
organic matter, because it is not cohesive, creates some difficulties
establishing the
reaction necessary to render the soil hydrophobic. The manner of composition
application can include any method chosen with sound engineering judgment; but
in most
instances, application of the chemical agent to the soil is accomplished by
the use of
conventional spray equipment (spray trucks). The agent is gravity fed or
pumped through
hoses, spray nozzles, or fixed sprayers and evenly applied to the soil or
material to be
treated.
[00421 In some embodiments of the invention, the soil or road base materials
are
scarified (ripped open)-preferably to a depth of about 4-6 inches-by
conventional road
construction graders (particularly graders with rake attachments) prior to
application of
the soil or road base material chemical improvement composition. This has the
effect of
allowing the composition to penetrate and permeate the soil or road base
material to a
greater degree. Once applied, the composition penetrates into the soil or road
base
materials where particle weighting and loading mechanisms achieved through the
processes of adsorption, prompt adherence of molecules to the surface of
particles and
absorption and penetration of the substance into the inner structure of the
particles. The
water repellant portion of the composition reacts with minerals in the soil or
road base
materials and rapidly forms a hydrophobic silicone resin network that does not
close
pores in the substances, but rather permits the road to "breathe" in spite of
water repellant
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properties. During the inventive process, evaporation of water occurs. The
polymers of
the aqueous acrylic polymer emulsion coalesce and form an intimate bond with
the soil
upon evaporation of the water. The sodium silicate and potassium silicate in
water uses
cohesion of the soil particles to form discrete hydrophobic silicone networks.
[00431 In one embodiment of the invention, the treated soil or road base
materials
are graded and compacted, using any means chosen with sound engineering
judgment,
and a top coat of the composition is applied. Motor-graders, asphalt grinders,
mixers, pug
mills, compactors, rollers, and other conventional construction equipment may
be utilized
to blend, set grade, and compact stabilized base, if necessary, as described
in herein. A
top coat is defined broadly as any application of the soil or road base
materials chemical
improvement composition that is applied after compaction.
[00441 In one embodiment, penetration is dramatically improved by mechanically
mixing the chemical composition into soil or road base materials during the
application
step. The mechanical mixing process can include, but is not limited to, the
use of a
specialized machine called a "pulvimixer" (shown in FIGURE 1). As shown in
FIGURES 2 and 3, the pulvimixer mechanically mixes the composition with the
soil or
road base materials by simultaneously: 1) scarifying the soil or road base
materials,
which when accomplished by a pulvimixer can additionally include breaking up
(pulverizing) large pieces of stone or road topping in a mixing chamber; (2)
applying the
chemical improvement composition; (3) thoroughly mixing the chemical
improvement
composition with the pulverized soil or road base material; and (4) grading
the treated
soil or road base material. This single application phase method prepares the
treated soil
or road base material-which is now a thoroughly mixed, homogeneous, well-
graded
roadbed-for leveling and compaction. In some embodiments of the invention, a
top coat
is then applied to the mechanically mixed and compacted soil or road base
materials. In
other embodiments, a surface course is applied to the compacted soil or road
base
materials prior to application of the top coat. A surface course can include
any
combination of road surface materials used in the art; including, but not
limited to,
asphalt concrete and bituminous surface treatments such as chip seal.
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[0045] Effective application amounts of some embodiments can comprise from
about 1 liter per cubic meter of soil (i.e. 1 L/m) to about 10 L/m3, from
about 10 L/m3 to
about 20 L/m3, from about 20 L/m3 to about 30 L/m3, from about 30 L/m3 to
about 40
L/m3, from about 40 L/m3 to about 50 L/m3, from about 50 L/m3 to about 60
L/m3, from
about 60 L/m3 to about 70 L/m3, from about 70 L/m3 to about 80 L/m3, from
about 80
L/m3 to about 90 L/m3, from about 90 L/m3 to about 100 L/m3, or even greater
than 100
L/m3.
[0046] The proper application of the chemical compositions for improvement of
soil or road base materials of the present invention, particularly using the
methodologies
described above, greatly improves the load bearing strength of unpaved roads,
makes
them virtually resistant to the damaging effects of capillary water uptake and
water
erosion, and provides superior dust retardant properties-under a wider range
of effective
application and use temperatures-than any composition in the prior art.
Moreover, the
chemical compositions described and claimed herein can be applied in a single
phase to
native soils, and due to reduced cure times the result is decreased road
construction time,
reduced environmental impact (by virtue of reduced construction waste and
traffic), and a
longer life cycle.
[0047] With reference now to FIGURES 4-7, mine tailings (large piles of
crushed
rock that are left over after the metals of interest like lead, zinc, copper,
silver, gold and
others, have been extracted from the mineral rocks that contained them) were
used for all
UCS tests. Standard UCS cores were used with a diameter of 3 inches (7.72 cm)
and
compacted to a depth of 3 inches (7.62 cm). All application rates were
calculated using
the surface area of the UCS cores. Dilution was based on optimum moisture of
the
tailings. Oven samples were prepared and dried in a 104 F (40 C) oven for 48
hours.
Freezer samples were allowed to acclimate at room temperature for 4 hours then
put into
a 30 F (-1.1 C) freezer for 18 hours. Upon removal from the freezer, the
samples were
allowed to come to room temperature then dried in a 104 F (40 C) oven for 48
hours
before breaking. FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate the differences in UCS of the test
samples
of polymer and glycerin versus the controls of polymers alone. In both the
oven and
freezer samples the cores at 1 gal/100 sq. ft. (0.41 L/m2) showed marginal
change in UCS
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versus the controls. However, at a lower application rate the addition of
glycerin to the
polymer had a more profound effect. FIGURES 6 and 7 show the percentage change
in
UCS over the control. PBs is acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetate polymer at
about 5%
to about 60% by weight and water at about 40% to about 95% by weight with 40%
solids.
The water used in all samples, test and control, was to bring sample moisture
to optimum
moisture. So the water level varied depending on the amount of chemical used.
The
graphs illustrate the effect varying the polymer to glycerin ratio has on the
polymer
strength. Application rates of 1 gal/100 sq. ft. (0.41 L/m2) and 1 gal/500 sq.
ft. (0.082
L/m2) are both shown.
[0048] In the following Tables 1-15, results are shown for two of the
embodiments of the composition (Biotrol - polymer, glycerin, and 30 to 95%
water and
Newtrol - polymer, 40 to 99% glycerin, and water). The compositions were
applied in
three concentrations, 0.4 gallons/sq. yd. (gsy) (1.81 L/m2), 0.8 gsy) (3.62
L/m), and 1.2
gsy) (5.43 L/m2) to the ground sample. The tables show the various results.
[0049] Table 1
0.4 GSY Initial Initial Initial Weight Weight Weight
Dust Weight, Weight, Weight, after after after
Pallative Sample Sample Sample Spraying, Spraying, Spraying,
Name 1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
(kg) (kg) (kg)
Biotrol 2.68 2.68 2.672 2.716 2.722 2.714 L Newtrol 2.678 2.632 2.616 2.718
2.676 2.656
[0050] Table 2
Weight Weight Weight Optical Optical Optical
0.4 GSY after after after Max Max Max
Dust Pallative Curing, Curing, Curing, Sample Sample Sample
Name Sample Sample Sample 1 2 3
1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg)
Biotrol 2.682 2.682 2.672 39.14 32.64 33.2
Newtrol 2.694 2.66 2.632 30.86 52.48 87.89
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[0051] Table 3
Weight Weight Weight
0.4 GSY after after after Min Min Min
Crust, Crust, Crust,
Dust Pallative Blowing, Blowing, Blowing, Sample Sample Sample
Name Sample Sample Sample 1 (in.) 2 (in.) 3 (in.)
1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg)
Biotrol 2.662 2.66 2.654 0.28 0.28 0.3
.....................................................................
Newtrol 2.576 2.054 1.698 0.32 0.46 0.31
[0052] Table 4
Weight Weight Weight
Max Max Max 0.4 GSY Crust, Crust, Crust, Loss, Loss, Loss,
Dust Pallative Sample Sample Sample
Name Sample Sample Sample 1 2 3
1 (in.) 2 (in.) 3 (in.) (grams) (grams) (grams)
Biotrol 0.4 0.73 0.56 20 22 18
Newtrol 0.58 0.92 0.46 118 606 934
- - - -------------- ----------------- ---- - -----------------
[0053] Table 5
0.4 GSY Average Stdev
Dust Pallative Weight Weight
Name Loss Loss
Biotrol 20.00 2.00 0.56 0.17 34.99 3.60
Newtrol 552.67 410.61 0.65 0.24 57.07 28.79
................................................... ............. ........
.................. ....................
...............................f...............
........................................... .....................
....................... ...... ........................
......................................................................
........... ........................................
[0054] Table 6
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0.8 GSY Initial Initial Initial Weight Weight Weight
after after after
Dust Weight, Weight, Weight,
Pallative Sample Sample Sample Spraying, Spraying, Spraying,
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Name 1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg)
(kg) (kg) (kg)
Biotrol 2.684 2.676 2.696 2.744 2.742 2.762
F Newtrol 2.658 2.624 2.582 2.732 2.702 2.64
[0055] Table 7
Weight Weight Weight Optical Optical Optical
0.8 GSY after after after Max Max Max
Dust Pallative Curing, Curing, Curing, Sample Sample Sample
Name Sample Sample Sample 1 2 3
1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg)
Biotrol 2.678 2.682 2.696 29.13 34.63 32.7
...................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . ................ ................. ................ . .
............................ ...........
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
Newtrol 2.7 2.67 2.614 169.55 35.91 34.43
[0056] Table 8
Weight Weight Weight Min Min Min
0.8 GSY after after after Crust, Crust, Crust,
Dust Pallative Blowing, Blowing, Blowing,
Name Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample
1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg) I (i n.) 2 (in.) 3 (in.)
Biotrol 2.678 2.668 2.694 0.61 0.26 0.29
Newtrol 2.66 2.62 2.57 0.57 0.47 0.37
................... ........ ........................................... ....
...... .... .............................. .......... ............
.....................................................E.........................
....... .................... ..... .........................................
.......................................................
i............................................
......
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[0057] Table 9
Weight Weight Weight
ax Max Max
0.8 GSY M C
Loss, Loss, Loss,
rust, Crust, Crust,
Dust Pallative Sample Sample Sample
Name Sample Sample Sample 1 2 3
1 (in.) 2 (in.) 3 (in.)
(grams) (grams) (grams)
Biotrol 1.15 0.9 1.01 0 14 2
..................................................................:............
...............................................................................
...............................................................................
................................
Newtrol 0.86 0.76 0.7 40 50 44
[0058] Table 10
0.8 GSY Average Stdev
Dust Pallative Weight Weight
Name Loss Loss
Biotrol 5.33 7.57 1.02 0.13 32.153333 2.790454
Newtrol 44.67 5.03 0.77 0.08 79.963333 77.587858
[0059] Table 11
1.2 GSY Initial Initial Initial Weight Weight Weight
after after after
Dust Weight, Weight, Weight,
i Pallative Sample Sample Sample Spraying, Spraying, Spraying,
Name 1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
(k9) (k9) (kg)
Biotrol 2.68 2.666 L2.678 2.756 2.756 2.758
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Newtrol I 2.642 2.632 2.632 2.724 2.73 2.708
[0060] Table 12
Weight Weight Weight Optical Optical Optical
1.2 GSY after after after Max Max Max
Dust Pallative Curing, Curing, Curing, Sample Sample Sample
Name Sample Sample Sample 1 2 3
1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg)
Biotrol 2.68 2.678 2.686 35.29 28.22 28.12
...............................................................................
......... ......
...............................................................................
........ ......................................................
..................................................:............................
...................... :............ ......................................
Newtrol 2.698 2.712 2.666 32.89 32.7 26.53
- - ---------------
[0061] Table 13
Weight Weight Weight
1.2 GSY after after after min Min Min
Dust Pallative Blowing, Blowing, Blowing, Crust, Crust, Crust,
Name Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample
1 (kg) 2 (kg) 3 (kg) 1 (in.) 2 (in.) 3 (in.)
Biotrol 2.67 2.664 2.66 0.72 0.8 0.85
Newtrol 2.664 2.674 2.64 0.41 0.75 { 0.71
[0062] Table 14
Weight Weight Weight
1.2 GSY Max ust, Crust, Crust Loss, Loss, Loss,
Dust Pallative Sample Sample Sample
Name Sample Sample Sample 1 2 3
1 (i n.) 2 (in.) 3 (in.)
(grams) (grams) (grams)
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Biotrol L1_01 1.25 1.1 10 14 26
Newtrol 0.8 1.25 1.2 34 38 26
[0063] Table 15
1.2 GSY Average Stdev
Dust Pallative Weight Weight
Name Loss Loss
Biotrol 16.67 8.33 1.12 0.12 30.543333 4.111038
Newtrol 32.67 6.11 1.08 0.25 30.706667 3.6183468
[0064] In another embodiment, the composition includes a superabsorbent
polymer, water, and glycerin. The superabsorbent polymers are chosen from the
group
comprising polymerized acrylic amide (PAM), polyacrylate, PAM/polyacrylate
copolymer linear, and PAM/polyacrylate copolymer crosslinked. In one
embodiment, the
superabsorbent polymer is about 0.1% to about 25% by weight (including, but
not limited
to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5,
1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,
2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4,
3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9,
4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4,
5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9,
6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4,
7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9,
8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4,
9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25), the water
is about 0% to
about 99.9% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, 34, 35, 36,
37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55,
56, 57, 58, 59, 60,
61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79,
80, 81, 82, 83, 84,
85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99.0, 99.1, 99.2,
99.3, 99.4, 99.5,
99.6, 99.7, 99.8, and 99.9), and the glycerin is about 0% to about 60% by
weight
(including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
38, 39, 40, 41, 42,
43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60). In
one
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embodiment, the superabsorbent polymer is PAM/polyacrylate copolymer linear,
and the
composition is about 3% to about 7% (including, but not limited to, 3, 4, 5,
6, and 7) by
weight polymer, about 37% to about 39% (including, but not limited to, 37, 38,
and 39)
by weight water, and about 56% to about 58% (including, but not limited to,
56, 57, and
58) by weight glycerin.
[0065] In another embodiment, the composition is a superabsorbent polymer and
water, wherein the polymer is about 0.1% to about 25% (including, but not
limited to,
0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5,
1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0,
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5,
3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0,
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5,
5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0,
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5,
7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0,
8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5,
9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25) by weight and the
water is about
75% to about 99.9% (including, but not limited to, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,
82, 83, 84,
85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99.0, 99.1, 99.2,
99.3, 99.4, 99.5,
99.6, 99.7, 99.8, and 99.9) by weight.
[0066] In another embodiment, the composition is a superabsorbent polymer,
water, glycerin, and acrylic polymer/polyvinyl acetate polymer emulsion,
wherein the
polymer is about 0.1% to about 15% (including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2,
0.3, 0.4, 0.5,
0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0,
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5,
2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0,
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5,
4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0,
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5,
6.6,6.7,6.8,6.9,7.0,7.1,7.2,7.3,7.4,7.5,7.6,7.7,7.8,7.9,8.0,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4,8.5
,
8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, and 15)
by weight, the water is about 0% to about 40% by weight (including, but not
limited to, 0,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,
23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40), the glycerin is about
0% to about
60% by weight (including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 37, 38,
39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57,
58, 59 and 60),
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and the emulsion is about 0% to about 40% by weight (including, but not
limited to, 0, 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,
23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40).
[00671 In another embodiment, the composition is a superabsorbent polymer,
water, and acrylic polymer/polyvinyl acetate polymer emulsion, wherein the
polymer is
about 0.1% to about 15% (including, but not limited to, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4,
0.5, 0.6, 0.7,
0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2,
2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7,
2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2,
4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7,
4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2,
6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7,
6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2,
8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7,
8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, and 15) by weight,
the water is about 0% to about 60% by weight (including, but not limited to,
0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29,
30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,
49, 50, 51, 52, 53,
54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60), and the emulsion is about 0% to about 40% by
weight
(including, but not limited to, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
38, 39, and 40).
[00681 In another embodiment, wherein the temperature is above freezing, any
of
the compositions in the above four paragraphs can be mixed with an aqueous
solution of
a water repellant that comprises about 1.0% to about 5.0% by weight
(including, but not
limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) of potassium hydroxide; about 10.0% to about
30.0% by
weight (including, but not limited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30) of potassium methylsiliconate; and about 65.0%
to about
89.0% by weight (including, but not limited to, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71,
72, 73, 74, 75,
76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, and 89) of water. In yet
another
embodiment of the invention, instead of the aforementioned potassium
methylsiliconate,
the aqueous solution of a water repellant comprises about 10.0% to about 30.0%
by
weight (including, but not limited to, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30) of sodium methylsiliconate.
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[00691 The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent
to
those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may
incorporate changes
and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention.
It is
intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they
come within the
scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. Although the
description above
contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope
of the
invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of
this
invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within its
scope.
[00701 Furthermore, notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters
setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the
numerical values
set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any
numerical
value, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from
the standard
deviation found in their respective testing measurements. "Approximately" and
"about"
are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. The use of "approximately
0%"
and "about 0%" is intended to mean an amount greater than 0.
[00711 Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
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