Carbon Emission Model and Emission Reduction Technology in the Asphalt Mixture Mixing Process

Abstract

This paper attempts to develop a calculation model to estimate the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during the mixing process of asphalt mixtures and explore energy-saving and emission reduction technologies. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the mixer’s working mechanism, mixing quality requirement, and theoretical deductions, a CO2 emission model for the mixing process of asphalt mixtures is established. The model highlights the significant impact of mixing time on both mixing quality and carbon emissions. The model demonstrates that the mixing quality improves with an increase in mixing time, but the degree of improvement diminishes after an initial significant enhancement, eventually stabilizing. Importantly, excessive mixing time does not significantly improve the mixing quality; conversely, an extended mixing time has a notable impact on carbon emissions. Results show that when the deviation of the asphalt content is changed from 0.3% to 0.2% for a 5% asphalt content mixture, the mixing time and resulting CO2 emissions increase by 14%; similarly, when the deviation is 0.1%, the mixing time and resulting CO2 emissions increase by nearly 40%. Additionally, the agitator’s capacity also significantly influences the CO2 emissions. For a project of a given scale, increasing the agitator capacity leads to a reduction in total carbon emissions during the mixing process. Compared to a type 1500 agitator, employing agitators of types 3000, 4000, and 5000 can achieve reductions in total CO2 emissions by 26.3%, 32.9%, and 36.8%, respectively. Therefore, for large-scale engineering projects aiming to minimize CO2 emissions during the mixing process, it is essential to determine the optimal mixing time to avoid excessive mixing and select a larger capacity agitator, preferably type 4000 or higher. These findings could support the development of effective emission reduction measures in the field of road construction, thereby contributing to the achievement of emission reduction targets and promoting the advancement of sustainable road development.