Primary Data Collection and Environmental/Energy Audit of Hot Mix Asphalt Production

Vincenzo Franzitta,Sonia Longo,Giuseppe Sollazzo,Clara Celauro,Maurizio Cellura

doi:10.3390/en13082045

Abstract

The development of the road construction sector determines the consequences on consumption of non-renewable resources, energy expenditure and environmental pollution. Recent sustainability issues have highlighted the importance of efficient design and quality-oriented techniques in this sector, due to the huge amount of materials involved in construction and maintenance activities. Thus, it is necessary to properly quantify the environmental impacts of asphalt mixtures used for pavement construction, considering the whole life cycle of the products. Life cycle assessment (LCA) represents the most appropriate methodological framework for assessing the environmental burdens of a product, from raw material acquisition to final disposal. A common problem for LCA is the lack of primary data useful to calculate the product eco-profile, for a specific production process. In this context, there is generally limited reliable and accurate data regarding the asphalt plant production phase, which represents the most critical phase. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to perform an environmental/energy audit of an asphalt plant and, further, to collect and analyze primary data useful for the definition of the eco-profile of 1 metric ton of hot mix asphalt (HMA), following a “gate to gate” approach, including transport. The asphalt production is examined in a Sicilian batch-mix plant, representing one of the most commonly used for asphalt production in the Italian context. The results are of interest for asphalt mixture producers, contractors, transportation agencies and researchers seeking to quantify asphalt pavement environmental impacts in Italy, based on context-related foreground data.

Highlights

Due to the volumes of materials involved in road and railway construction, the infrastructure sector implies significant consumption of natural resources and critical issues for the environment [1,2].In the last decade, several researchers have been discussing the critical drawbacks of pavement road construction and maintenance activities related to traditional techniques and procedures, generally involving huge quantities of virgin materials and relevant consumption of fuels [3,4]
This research focused on the collection of primary data useful for the definition of the eco-profile of an asphalt mixture produced in a Sicilian plant, which is a relevant step according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
In order to have primary data for defining the eco-profile of a hot mix asphalt mixture produced in a representative plant for the Italian context, a batch-mix asphalt plant located in Sicily was selected as reference

Summary

Introduction

Several researchers have been discussing the critical drawbacks of pavement road construction and maintenance activities related to traditional techniques and procedures, generally involving huge quantities of virgin materials and relevant consumption of fuels [3,4]. As for mechanical performance assessment and comparison, in order to effectively understand sustainability benefits of different solutions and technologies, making reference to scientific, reliable and adaptable approaches is strategical. In this regard, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) represents an exhaustive and reliable methodology for determining the environmental impacts of several kinds of products or processes, considering their entire life cycle and all the relevant involved elements.

Objectives

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion