Laboratory Methods for Identification of Geologic Origins of Natural Asphalts with Special Emphasis on their Potential Uses: The Case of Trinidad Pitch and Utah Bitumen

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that the physicochemical properties of asphalt binders primarily dictate their performance and their end-use applications. However, limited data on the subject exists. This research investigates the physicochemical characterization of two natural bitumens: Trinidad pitch (TP) and Utah foam bitumen (UFB), using elemental analysis, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thin-layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC-FID), proton-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), and penetration, softening point, and viscosity tests. The results showed that TP differed significantly from UFB, mainly in the hydrocarbon, heteroatomic, vanadium, and clay-mineral contents. In terms of the SARA (i.e., saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes) fractions, the most striking compositional difference was that UFB contained more saturates than TP. Physical tests demonstrated that TP was characterized by lower penetration and higher softening points than UFB. These findings suggest that UFB is a potential candidate for the production of petroleum, and TP is a suitable construction material for road pavement.