A g.l.c. simulated distillation technique to study changes in the composition of coke‐oven road tars in service

Abstract

AbstractA simulated distillation technique has been developed making use of gas‐liquid chromatography (g.l.c.) for the quantification of oils present in road tars derived from coke‐oven crude tars. The tar‐oil constituents are grouped into boiling temperature ranges which coincide with those of fractions or cuts used in a standard (conventional) distillation test. The g.l.c. method caters for the wide range in boiling temperatures of tar‐oil constituents and for the fact that only about half of the tar substance injected is eluted from the column. In the analyses of tars recovered from road surfaces a means has been found to compensate for the presence of detritus in the tar. This method has several important advantages over the standard distillation procedure. Its accuracy and precision are superior and it can be used to determine constituents boiling as high as 400°C (673 K). (Due to the thermal sensitivity of coal tar hydrocarbons, the temperature in the standard distillation test may not exceed 340°C.) The g.l.c. method is more rapid and the small amount of tar required facilitates the analyses of tars weathered in road surfaces. In addition, repeat analyses can be carried out without inconvenience and the handling of the tar material is reduced. The g.l.c. method provides a powerful research tool for the study of the weathering of road tars. This paper gives the results of some weathering investigations. These show that even constituents with high boiling points (in the range 370–400°C) may be partially lost from tars in the first year of service. Oil losses are most rapid in the first year, but all constituents with boiling points below 300°C may be lost after prolonged service. From data provided by this method and measurements of the change in viscosity of tars on weathering, it has been possible to conclude that, in the case of coke‐oven tars, evaporation is the major weathering mechanism in the South African Highveld climate. There is a good correlation between oil losses and the hardening of tars, particularly in the early life of a spray‐and‐chip surfacing. Such studies have led to the development of improved road tar binders with economic benefit to the South African road industry.