Abstract
Re-refined engine oil bottoms (REOB) are major modifiers used to produce softer binders from stiffer binders. Studies have revealed that pavements constructed with REOB-modified binders experience premature cracking and ravelling problems much sooner than usual. Therefore, some state agencies in the US have enacted regulatory measures on the use of REOB-modified binders in their contracts. To implement these measures, there is a need of a well-verified, cost friendly test method that can accurately estimate REOB contents in binders used in these contracts on site. This paper presents a simple method that fulfils this objective. The method involves the measurement of element concentrations in an unknown sample using a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument, the identification of the most likely sources of this sample using normalised sulphur-versus-vanadium concentration plot, and the estimation of REOB content in the sample using the calibration curves of zinc, calcium and molybdenum elements. Researchers developed and verified this method using 384 calibration and 24 verification samples. Test results show the proposed method can quantify REOB content in binders with reasonable accuracy. Test results also show that this portable XRF-based REOB estimation method is as effective as a previous benchtop instrument-based REOB estimation method.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
