Method of chemical soil stabilization and dust control

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20050124527
  • Publication Number
    20050124527
  • Date Filed
    January 07, 2005
    19 years ago
  • Date Published
    June 09, 2005
    19 years ago
Abstract
A heterogeneous mixture produced by blending aliphatic or cyclic organic compounds with carboxylic acids of chemical structure R-COOH and applied to soils in a manner to produce high levels of dust and erosion control, and soil stabilization. Alternatively, a heterogeneous mixture may be produced by blending aliphatic or cyclic organic compounds with polyolefins of chemical structure CnH2n or R—C2nH3n, and applied to soils in a manner to produce high levels of dust control and soil stabilization. The aliphatic and cyclic compounds act as plasticizers and carriers for the carboxylic acids or polyolefin compounds. When applied to soil the carrier provides a mechanism for the carboxylic acid or polyolefin to penetrate the soil and also acts as a dust suppressing weighting agent. The plasticized carboxylic acid and/or polyolefin provides a durable, reworkable binder that associates small particulates while stabilizing soil and aggregate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field


This invention relates to a method of soil stabilization and dust control utilizing aliphatic and cyclic organic compounds, specifically blends of resin acids, fatty acids and their esters with solvents that act as plasticizers and carriers.


2. Background of Invention


Many methods of chemical dust and erosion control, and soil stabilization have been utilized over the years, with various detrimental effects on environment, health, and safety and varying degrees of success. Traditional products used for dust control and soil stabilization consist of used or recycled oil, virgin oils, chlorides, lignins, and emulsifications made with low-grade petroleum resins, asphalt, oil, and pitch.


The use of used or recycled petroleum oils has long been employed as a dust control agent. In recent years legislation by most states has curtailed the use of these oils for dust control because of concerns with environment, health, and safety. This legislation has spawned an interest in virgin oils, some highly refined and very safe. The highly refined products may contain low or no aromatics but are generally cost prohibitive for most applications. In addition, petroleum oils have limited value as dust suppressants and virtually no value as soil stabilizers. They act as particle weighting agents by the processes of adsorption or absorption and do not have any significant cohesive action for soil stabilization and control of fine dust.


Magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and sodium chloride used in solution or solid form act as humectants when added to soil. These products work well in areas of sufficient moisture or require watering for humectants action. The problems with these products are their solubility in water and effects on ground water and plant life. In addition, as strong electrolytes they are highly corrosive to metal equipment.


Lignins have been employed as a low-cost means of dust control for several decades. Recently lignins have come under considerable attack by environmental, health, and safety organizations that have identified dioxin and dioxin forming compounds in lignin. This problem is compounded by lignins solubility in water and it's ability to contaminate ground water. Lignins also have a limited working life because they are water soluble they tend to be washed away with rain, melting snow, or other moisture.


Many types of emulsions of tall oil, petroleum resins, and asphalts and combinations can be prepared and have been exhibited in prior art. Typically these products are emulsified to reduce viscosity to sprayable levels and to aid in penetration of the product into the soil. One of the problems created is the use of excess liquid, which is sprayed onto the ground and can migrate into ground water. In addition, emulsions can also be severely damaged by rain and moisture when the moisture event occurs prior to the emulsion breaking and the active ingredients curing. When cured properly these products produce a bound soil layer, which is effective for dust control for short periods and under conditions where there is little mechanical disturbance. Examples of tall oil pitch emulsions that produce these results can be found in prior art. Doyle U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,347 discloses chemically stabilized emulsions of tall oil pitch, hydrochloric and stearic acids, and emulsifiers in water where temperature and pH are controlled during preparation. Additionally, Burch U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,425 discloses an emulsion comprising tall oil pitch, rosin, emulsifier, and water.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of our invention are superior dust control and soil stabilization in areas of intense use. Improved air and water quality through reduction of airborne particulates and soil erosion are achieved with use of our chemical agents formulated from safe aliphatic and cyclic organic compounds.


In addition, our invention has several benefits over traditional chemical dust and erosion control, and soil stabilization agents, it can be applied neat or undiluted eliminating the chances of collateral runoff, it remains active over long periods of time requiring fewer maintenance applications, is insoluble in water resisting rain and inclement weather contains no electrolytes thus inhibits corrosion.


A heterogeneous mixture produced by blending aliphatic or cyclic organic compounds with carboxylic acids of chemical structure R—COOH and applied to soils in a manner to produce high levels of dust control and soil stabilization. The aliphatic and cyclic compounds act as plasticizers and carriers for the carboxylic acids. When applied to soil the carrier provides a mechanism for the carboxylic acid to penetrate the soil and also acts as a dust suppressing weighting agent. The plasticized carboxylic acid provides a durable, reworkable binder that associates small particulates while stabilizing soil and aggregate. The chemical agent is manufactured and applied using conventional mixing and applied using conventional construction equipment. A test performed at a continuous caster area in a steel mill produced 176% improvement in soil stiffness and modulus as well demonstrable improvements in dust control. Untreated test locations are shown in FIG. 1, untreated (7.3 MN/m) (01), untreated (10.8 MN/m) (02), untreated (9.9 MN/m) (03), untreated (7.6 MN/m)

    • (04). Treated test locations are shown in FIG. 1, treated (17.4 MN/m) (05), treated (21.1 MN/m) (06), treated (18.4 MN/m) (07), treated (31.2 MN/m) (08), treated (37.2 MN/m) (09), and treated (22.2 MN/m) (10).


The present invention also encompasses a heterogeneous mixture produced by blending aliphatic or cyclic organic compounds with polyolefins of chemical structure CnH2n or R—C2nH3n, and applied to soils in a manner to produce high levels of dust control and soil stabilization. The aliphatic and cyclic compounds act as plasticizers and carriers for the polyolefin to penetrate the soil 10 and also acts as a dust suppressing weighting agent. The plasticized polyolefin provides a durable, reworkable binder that associates small particulates while stabilizing soil and aggregate. The chemical agent is manufactured and applied using conventional mixing and applied using conventional construction equipment. A laboratory test performed on compacted gravel produced 117% improvement in soil stiffness and modulus as well as demonstrable improvements in dust control.


Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant contemplated applying the principles 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.



FIG. 1 is a top view of a test plot from an application of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to stabilize soil and control dust at a steel mill;



FIG. 2 is a particle size distribution curve from a test conducted according to a preferred method of this invention; and



FIG. 3 is a particle size distribution curve from a test conducted according to an alternate preferred method of this invention.




DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Description of First Embodiment

The invention described herein consists of aliphatic and cyclic organic compounds utilized as plasticizers and carriers that are blended with materials composed primarily of carboxylic acids and applied in a manner to produce improved levels of dust and erosion control, and soil stabilization.


A novel and unexpected result occurs when carboxylic acids are blended with aliphatic or cyclic organic plasticizers and carriers. These blends are processed into either heterogeneous mixtures or emulsions that applied to soil, aggregate, or mineral provide high levels of long lasting dust control and stabilization. The invention exhibits tremendous moisture resistance, reworkability, working life, while being noncorrosive and nonhazardous.


Aliphatic organic compounds refers to saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, coal, or synthetic manufacturing including paraffins or alkanes, olefins, alkenes, and alkadienes. Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates. The invention is comprised 0-95% by weight of these compounds.


Cyclic organic compounds refer to alicyclic hydrocarbons, cycloparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloacetylenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclics, and any combinations of aliphatic and cyclic structures such as terpenes, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids. The invention is comprised 0-95% by weight of these compounds.


Carboxylic acid refers to any substance whose major constituents are saturated or unsaturated fatty acids and their esters derived from animal or vegetable fat or oil; and vegetable derived resins or rosin acids, all represented chemically R—COOH. The invention is comprised 5-70% by weight of these substances.


Plasticizer refers to organic compounds added to carboxylic acids to facilitate processing and increase the flexibility and durability of the final product.


Carrier refers to any organic compounds in which carboxylic acids are miscible in and serve as a vehicle to aid in the dispersion and penetration of plasticized carboxylic acids into the soil.


Heterogeneous mixtures refer to mixtures or solutions comprised of two or more substances, whether or not they are uniformly dispersed.


Emulsions refer to mixtures of two or more immiscible liquids held in suspension by small percentages of emulsifiers. Emulsifiers can be protein or carbohydrate polymers or long-chained alcohols and fatty acids. The emulsions can either be oil-in-water or water-in-oil continuous phase mixtures.


Operation of First Embodiment

The invention is manufactured using conventional manufacturing equipment. Conventional mixers, emulsifiers, or colloid mills are utilized to blend these components into stable heterogeneous mixers or emulsions.


Application of the chemical agent to the soil is also accomplished by the use of conventional spray equipment. 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. 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 desired.


Once applied the liquid penetrates into the soil where two mechanisms for dust control and stabilization contribute to the effect. The first is a particle weighting and loading mechanism achieved through the processes of adsorption, adherence of molecules to the surface of particles and absorption, penetration of the substance into the inner structure of the particles.


The second mechanism is produced by the plasticized higher polymeric carboxylic acids which act as binders. The fatty acids and resins bind particles into a tightly cohesive base when subjected to compactive forces. The plasticized fatty acids and resins remain active even through severe wet weather and mechanical disturbances from heavy tracked vehicles and steel-chained tires. Our invention displays a unique and unexpected ability to be recompacted into a tightly cohesive base when disturbed, dramatically extending the working life of the chemical agents.


EXAMPLES OF FIRST EMBODIMENT
Example 1

This example discloses a formulation for producing a heterogeneous mixture depicted in our invention.

ConstituentTrade NameManufacturerWeight %1.Severely hydrotreated50 NeutralPetro-Canada39%paraffinic hydrocarbonsHT2.Synthetic iso-alkanesDSF-65Petro-Canada33%3.Mixture of long chainTallexWestvaco28%and tricyclic organicChemicalacids and esters ofsterols and fatty acids


The Tallex material is maintained at 45-135 degrees centigrade and blended into the remaining materials using conventional blending equipment or agitation.


Example 2

This example discloses a formulation for producing an emulsion.

ConstituentTrade NameManufacturerWeight %1.Severely hydrotreated50 NeutralPetro-Canada16%paraffinic hydrocarbonsHT2.Synthetic iso-alkanesDSF-65Petro-Canada13%3.Mixture of long chainTallexWestvaco11%and tricyclic organicChemicalacids and esters ofsterols and fatty acids4.Water48%5.lignosulfonateIndulin SALWestvaco10%Chemical6.polyoxypropylenePluronic F68BASF 2%


The Tallex material is maintained at 45-135 degrees centigrade and blended into the remaining materials using conventional high shear mixers, mixer/emulsifiers, colloid mill, or other suitable mixing equipment.


Test of First Embodiment

A 5,000 square meter test plot was prepared to test the effectiveness of the invention as a dust control agent and soil stabilizer. A severe test in an intensely utilized area was required. A slag reclamation area in the continuous caster process of a large Cleveland, Ohio steel mill was chosen for the test. The plot selected operates 24 hours/day, 5-7 days/week and averages over 100 vehicle passes per day with the majority of vehicles large pot haulers, front-end loaders with steel-chained tires, and tractor-trailers.


Various treatments had been utilized in this area in the past including watering, chlorides, and asphalt emulsions with limited success. Applications of these chemical agents were typically 1-2 times daily for dust control. Historical applications rates for 60% solids asphalt emulsions ranged between 0.15-0.40 liters/square meter daily.


Initial observations of the surface prior to testing revealed a slag covered road comprised of material resembling moon dust. A particle size analysis performed on the material perASTM C136 indicated the material consisted of 25% silt and clay, 62% sand, and 13% gravel. Graph 1 below shows the particle size distribution curve for the material tested.


The test plot was treated with the material disclosed in Example 1 over a six-week period. Three applications over the six week period were made using a conventional spray truck with a computerized spray output at an application rate of 0.39 liters/square meter each application.


Examination of the area indicated our invention provided a higher level of dust control using less than 25% of the volume of active product previously required. In addition to visual observations, soil stiffness and modulus readings were made using a Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc. Stiffness and Modulus Instrument (SAMITRON). The SAMITRON measures in-situ soil stiffness by measuring the stress imparted to the surface and the resulting surface velocity as a function of time. If a Poisson's ratio is assumed and knowing the SAMITRON's physical dimensions, shear and Young's Modulus can be expressed:
YoungsModulus(E)=(Stiffness)(1-PoissonsRatio2)0.1011555wherePoissonsRatio=0.35


Six measurements were made at treated locations within the test plot with four untreated measurements made just outside the test plot to provide control data. The untreated locations outside the test plot were selected in the same general vehicle path to assume equivalent traffic conditions. The average of three readings was reported from each site with a 176% increase in stiffness and modulus when compared to the untreated locations. The averaged data with locations and drawing references are listed below:

DRAWING REFERENCESTIFFNESS (MN/m)MODULUS (Mpa)Untreated 017.363.7Untreated 0210.893.6Untreated 039.986.0Untreated 047.665.7Treated 0517.4151.1Treated 0621.1182.9Treated 0718.4159.3Treated 0831.2270.4Treated 0937.2323.1Treated 1022.2192.8


Description of Second Embodiment

The invention described herein consists of aliphatic and cyclic organic compounds utilized as plasticizers and carriers that are blended with materials composed primarily of thermoplastic polyolefin compounds and applied in a manner to produce improved levels of dust and erosion control, and soil stabilization.


A novel and unexpected result occurs when polyolefin compounds are blended with aliphatic or cyclic organic plasticizers and carriers. These blends are processed into either heterogeneous mixtures or emulsions that applied to soil, aggregate, or mineral provide high levels of long lasting dust control and stabilization. The invention exhibits tremendous moisture resistance, reworkability, working life, while being noncorrosive and nonhazardous.


Aliphatic organic compounds refers to saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, coal, or synthetic manufacturing including paraffins or alkanes, olefins, alkenes, and alkadienes. Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates. The invention is comprised 0-95% by weight of these compounds.


Cyclic organic compounds refer to alicyclic hydrocarbons, cycloparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloacetylenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclics, and any combinations of aliphatic and cyclic structures such as terpenes, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids. The invention is comprised 0-95% by weight of these compounds.


Thermoplastic polyolefin compound refers to any substance derived from olefins with chemical structure CnH2n or R—C2nH3n, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutenes, polyisobutylenes, polyisoprene, and their copolymers. The invention is comprised of 2-90% by weight of these substances.


Plasticizer refers to organic compounds added to polyolefin compounds to facilitate processing and increase the flexibility and durability of the final product.


Carrier refers to any organic compounds in which polyolefin compounds are miscible in and serve as a vehicle to aid in the dispersion and penetration of plasticized polyolefin into the soil.


Heterogeneous mixtures refer to mixtures or solutions comprised of two or more substances, whether or not they are uniformly dispersed.


Emulsions refer to mixtures of two or more immiscible liquids held in suspension by small percentages of emulsifiers. Emulsifiers can be protein or carbohydrate polymers or long-chained alcohols and fatty acids. The emulsions can either be oil-in-water or water-in-oil continuous phase mixtures.


Operation of the Second Embodiment

The invention is manufactured using conventional manufacturing equipment. Conventional mixers, emulsifiers, or colloid mills are utilized to blend these components into stable heterogeneous mixers or emulsions.


Application of the chemical agent to the soil is also accomplished by the use of conventional spray equipment. 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. 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 desired.


Once applied, the liquid penetrates into the soil where two mechanisms for dust control and stabilization contribute to the effect. The first is a particle weighting and loading mechanism achieved through the processes of absorption, adherence of molecules to the surface of particles and absorption, penetration of the substance into the inner structure of the particles.


The second mechanism is produced by the plasticized higher polymeric polyolefin compounds which act as binders. The thermoplastic polyolefin compounds bind particles into a tightly cohesive base when subjected to compactive forces. The plasticized polyolefin compounds remain active even through severe wet weather and mechanical disturbances from heavy tracked vehicles and steel-chained tires. Our invention displays a unique and unexpected ability to be recompacted into a tightly cohesive base when disturbed, dramatically extending the working life of the chemical agents.


Example 3

This example discloses a formulation for producing a heterogeneous mixture as disclosed in our invention.

ConstituentTrade NameManufacturerWeight %1.Synthetic iso-alkanesDSF-65Petro-Canada67%2.PolyisobutyleneTPC 195Texas Petro-33%Chemical


The TPC 195 material is maintained at 45-135 degrees centigrade and blended into the remaining materials using conventional blending equipment or agitation.


Example 4

This example discloses a formulation for producing an emulsion.

ConstituentTrade NameManufacturerWeight %1.Synthetic iso-alkanesDSF-65Petro-Canada15%2.PolyolefinTPC 195Texas Petro-15%Chemical3.Water58%4.Low hydrophile-NP 1.5Chemax 5%lipophile balancesurfactant5.High hydrophile-Neodal R-91-8Tomah 7%lipophile balancesurfactant


The TPC 195 material is maintained at 45-135 degrees centigrade and blended into the remaining materials using conventional high shear mixers, mixer/emulsifiers, colloid mill, or other suitable mixing equipment.


Test of Second Embodiment

Molded samples were constructed using standard CBR (California Bearing Ratio) molds using gravel taken from an aircraft runway from the Northwest Territories in Canada. Three control samples were made and compacted without the use of a stabilizing agent and tested. Alternatively, three samples were prepared using the material prepared as specified in Example 1 above.


A particle size analysis performed on the material per ASTM C136 indicated the material consisted of 3% silt and clay, 29% sand, and 68% gravel. FIG. 3 shows the particle size distribution curve for the material tested.


The control samples test mold were prepared by compacting 10 kilograms of gravel into the standard 15.24 centimeter diameter CBR molds using an automatic compactor in three lifts and 56 blows per lift. The treated samples were constructed in the same manor with the addition of 100 cubic centimeters of soil stabilizer prepared as described in Example 1.


Soil stiffness and modulus readings were made using a Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc. Stiffness and Modulus Instrument (SAMITRON). The SAMITRON measures in-situ soil stiffness by measuring the stress imparted to the surface and the resulting surface velocity as a function of time. If a Poisson's ratio is assumed and knowing the SAMITRON's physical dimensions, shear and Young's Modulus can be expressed:
YoungsModulus(E)=(Stiffness)(1-PoissonsRatio2)0.1011555wherePoissonsRatio=0.35


An average was taken from three measurements made on each sample. The average of three readings was reported from each sample with a 117% increase in stiffness and modulus when compared to the untreated locations. The averaged data is listed below:

DRAWING REFERENCESTIFFNESS (MN/m)MODULUS (Mpa)Untreated 015.648.6Untreated 026.152.9Untreated 035.850.3Treated 0412.7110.2Treated 0512.6109.3Treated 0612.7110.2


Accordingly, it can be seen that we have provided a unique and effective means of dust control and stabilization using a chemical agent that provided unexpected results when tested.


Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within it's scope. For example, several different types of substances rich in polyolefins are available as drop-in replacements to those tested, as well as numerous a aliphatic and cyclic organic compounds. The invention given as a method of soil stabilization and dust control also has related applications as a soil remediation agent, recycled asphalt stabilizer, and asphalt rejuvenator, and coal based or other synthetic fuel additives.


Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims
  • 1. A method of stabilizing soil and of controlling dust and erosion in soil comprising the step of applying to said soil a heterogeneous mixture or s emulsion selected from one or more of the group consisting of aliphatic and cyclic organic compounds utilized as plasticizers and carriers that are blended with a material selected from one or more of the group consisting of carboxylic acids and polyolefins.
  • 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said mixture is uniformly or nonuniformly dispersed.
  • 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said mixture or emulsion comprises two or more immiscible liquids held in suspension by small percentages of emulsifiers.
  • 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of any protein, carbohydrate polymers, long-chained alcohols, fatty acids, or surfactants.
  • 5. The method of claim 3 wherein said mixture is an oil-in-water or water-in-oil continuous phase mixture.
  • 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic organic compounds are selected from the group consisting of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.
  • 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons are selected from the group consisting of naturally occuring or synthetic paraffins, alkanes, olefins, alkenes, alkadienes, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates.
  • 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclic organic compounds are selected from the group consisting of naturally occurring or synthetic alicyclic hydrocarbons, cycloparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloacetylenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclics, and combinations of aliphatic and cyclic structures.
  • 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the combinations of aliphatic and cyclic structures are selected from the group consisting of naturally occurring or synthetic terpenes, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids.
  • 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the material selected from one or more of the group consisting of carboxylic acids and polyolefins is a carboxylic acid and said carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of any substantially saturated or unsaturated fatty acids and their esters derived from animal or vegetable fat or oil and vegetable derived resins or rosin acids.
  • 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the carboxylic acid is R-COOH.
  • 12. The method of claim 10 wherein said plasticizer comprises an organic compound added to the carboxylic acid to facilitate processing and increase the flexibility and durability of a final product.
  • 13. The method of claim 10 wherein said organic compounds in which carboxylic acids are miscible or emulsifiable serve as a vehicle to aid in the dispersion and penetration of plasticized carboxylic acids into the soil.
  • 14. The method of claim 1 wherein said heterogeneous mixtures and emulsions are manufactured utilizing manufacturing equipment including, conventional mixers, emulsifiers, or colloid mills.
  • 15. The method of claim 6 wherein the aliphatic organic compounds are present in an amount from about 1% to about 95% by weight.
  • 16. The method of claim 8 wherein the cyclic organic compounds are present in an amount from about 1% to about 95% by weight.
  • 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the carboxylic acid is present in an amount from about 5% to about 70% by weight.
  • 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the application of the mixture or emulsion is accomplished by a spray means.
  • 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the spray means is gravity fed.
  • 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the spray means is pump fed.
  • 21. The method of claim 15 wherein the mixture or emulsion is applied neat.
  • 22. The method of claim 15 wherein the mixture or emulsion is diluted.
  • 23. The method of claim 1 wherein the material selected from one or more of the group consisting of carboxylic acids and polyolefins is a thermoplastic polyolefin compound and said thermoplastic polyolefin compound is a substance derived from olefins with a chemical structure CnH2n or Rn—C2nH3n, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutenes, polyisobutylenes, polyisoprene, and their copolymers.
  • 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the thermoplastic polyolefin compound is present in about 70 to about 90% by weight.
  • 25. The method of claim 23 wherein the plasticizer is any organic compound added to the thermoplastic polyolefin compound to facilitate processing and increase the flexibility and durability of the final product.
  • 26. The method of claim 23 wherein the carrier is any organic compound in which the polyolefin compound is miscible or emulsifiable with and serve as a vehicle to aid in the dispersion and penetration of plasticized polyolefin compound into the soil.
  • 27. A dust control and soil stabilizing heterogeneous mixture comprising: (a) from about 1% to about 95% by weight of a severely hydrotreated paraffinic hydrocarbon; (b) from about 1% to about 95% by weight synthetic iso-alkane; and (c) from about 5% to about 70% by weight of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of long chain and tricyclic organic acid and esters of sterols and fatty acids and thermoplastic polyolefin compounds.
  • 28. A dust control and soil stabilizing emulsion comprising: (a) from about 1% to about 95% severely hydrotreated paraffinic hydrocarbons; (b) from about 1% to about 95% by weight of a synthetic iso-alkane; (c) from about 5% to about 70% by weight of one or more compounds selected from one or more of the group of long chain and tricyclic organic acids and esters of sterols and fatty acids and thermoplastic polyolefin compounds; (d) from about 1% to about 80% by weight water; (e) from about 2% to about 11% by weight of a material selected from the group of a lignosulfonate emulsifier and a low hydrophile-lipophile surfactant; and (f) from about 1% to about 5% by weight polyoxypropylene emulsifier and a high hydrophile-lipophile surfactant.
  • 29. The dust control and soil stabilizing heterogeneous mixture of claim 23 wherein: (a) a particle weighting and loading mechanism is produced by the processes of adsorption, the adherence of molecules to the surface of particles and absorption, the penetration of the substance into the inner structure of the particles; and (b) a binding mechanism is produced by higher polymeric carboxylic acids or higher polymeric polyolefin compounds that associate small particulates while stabilizing soil and aggregate particles into a tightly cohesive matrix.
  • 30. The dust control and soil stabilizing heterogeneous mixture of claim 24 wherein: (a) a particle weighting and loading mechanism is produced by the processes of adsorption, the adherence of molecules to the surface of particles and absorption, the penetration of the substance into the inner structure of the particles; and (b) a binding mechanism is produced by higher polymeric carboxylic acids or higher polymeric polyolefin compounds that associate small particulates while stabilizing soil and aggregate particles into a tightly cohesive matrix.
  • 31. The method of claim 1 wherein a carboxylic acid is used and there is an increase of soil stiffness and modules by from about 170% to about 180%.
  • 32. The method of claim 1 wherein a polyolefin is used and there is an increase of soil stiffness and modules by from about 115% to about 120%.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/606,497, filed Jun. 29, 2000; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Continuations (3)
Number Date Country
Parent 10870658 Jun 2004 US
Child 11031706 Jan 2005 US
Parent 09896456 Jun 2001 US
Child 10870658 Jun 2004 US
Parent 09606497 Jun 2000 US
Child 09896456 Jun 2001 US