Main content | back to top
Using Shell Thiopave
Shell Thiopave has been successfully used in a wide range of asphalt mixture plants. It is laid and compacted using standard paving equipment and is easy to store at ambient temperature.
There are some simple handling rules to follow when using Shell Thiopave – around mix temperature control and minimising dust formation. The Shell Thiopave technical team helps customers to observe these rules by checking suitability of equipment, supporting demonstration runs and training staff.
Description
- Shell Thiopave comprises a range of sulphur-based and complementary non-sulphur based additive components.
- It is supplied to customers as an odourless pellet.
- Individual Shell Thiopave components may differ in type and appearance depending on where the components are intended to be used.
Mixing
- Shell Thiopave is suitable for use in most batch and drum mixture plants.
- Shell Thiopave replaces up to 25% (by mass) of the bitumen in the asphalt mixture.
- Shell Thiopave pellets are added at ambient temperature to the mixing chamber.
- High shear by the aggregate during mixing disperses Shell Thiopave throughout the asphalt mixture.
- Some of the Shell Thiopave combines chemically with the bitumen, acting as an extender.
- The remainder crystallises and acts as a structuring agent in the asphalt mixture.
- The target mixing temperature for asphalt containing Shell Thiopave is 130°C.
- This represents a reduction of 20-40°C compared to asphalt made with 100% conventional bitumen. This temperature reduction saves energy and lowers operating costs at the hot-mixture plant.
Laying
- Asphalt mixtures using Shell Thiopave are placed using conventional paving equipment.
- Paving crews should wear personal protection equipment when laying asphalt containing Shell Thiopave. Tips for paving crews (PDF, 317 KB) - opens in new window
Compacting
- Asphalt mixtures using Shell Thiopave are compacted in the same manner as conventional mixtures.
- It can be compacted at an initial temperature of 110°C and above.
Storage
- Shell Thiopave pellets can be delivered in bulk or sacks.
- Shell Thiopave pellets are stored at ambient temperature. As Shell Thiopave replaces a proportion of the bitumen, this reduces bitumen heated storage costs.