Life Cycle Carbon Emissions and an Uncertainty Analysis of Recycled Asphalt Mixtures

Abstract

The efficient recycling of road materials is an effective way to reduce carbon emissions. Approximately 400 million tons of waste asphalt pavement materials is generated annually in China, but the utilization rate is less than 50%. In this paper, a whole life cycle CO2 emission calculation model for recycled asphalt mixtures is established, and an uncertainty analysis is carried out on the basis of this model. The steps in the recycled asphalt mixture stage with the greatest impact on emissions are identified. The life cycle of asphalt mixtures is divided into raw material production, mixture preparation, material transportation and construction phases based on the carbon emission trends in the four phases. First, recycled asphalt mixtures are considered, and the carbon emissions along a two-way four-lane highway are analyzed based on the relevant carbon emission factor and other known data. The carbon dioxide emissions of each stage are also compared to identify the key links among stages. Then, the carbon emissions of hot-recycled asphalt mixtures are compared with those of ordinary asphalt mixtures and cold-recycled asphalt mixtures in each stage. Finally, an analytical uncertainty study of recycled asphalt mixtures is conducted using uncertainty modeling in different scenarios. Based on the quantitative results of the carbon emission calculations through life cycle assessment (LCA), future measures for reducing carbon emissions from recycled asphalt mixtures are proposed.