Optimization of bio-asphalt using bio-oil and distilled water

Abstract

The objective of this research is to improve the high temperature performances and anti-aging properties of bio-asphalt. In this paper, the bio-asphalt was prepared using bio-oil to modify petroleum asphalt, and the contents of bio-oil were 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. The gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) test was applied to characterize the chemical compounds in bio-oil. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test was utilized to determine whether some compounds were removed from bio-oil based on the functional groups present. Then the rotating thin film oven (RTFO) test was used to verify whether the high temperature performance and anti-aging properties of bio-asphalt improved. Furthermore, the orthogonal experimental design and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test were employed to study the effect of optimization process parameters on high temperature performances. It was found that a large amount of polar light weighted components can be removed from bio-oil using distilled water. During the treatment process of bio-oil, the water-oil mass ratio had a significant influence on the high temperature of bio-asphalt while stirring time and stirring temperature were not significant factors. Additionally, the anti-rutting properties of bio-asphalt had an increasing trend when the water-oil mass ratio varied from 1:1 to 2:1 and reached a maximum when the water-oil mass ratio was 2:1.The bio-oil optimization process involved stirring the water-oil mix for 10 min at 50 °C with a water-oil mass ratio of 2:1. Using bio-oil and distilled water is reliable in optimizing bio-asphalt as the high temperature performance and anti-aging performance of bio-asphalt were improved after bio-oil was treated with distilled water.