Reuse of Drill Cuttings Contaminated with Diesel in the Formation of Asphalt Pavement

Abstract

Current Cuban strategies to increase hydrocarbon production introduce new hazardous waste such as drilling cuttings contaminated with diesel. In order to manage them safely, the present work aims to evaluate their potential to be reused in the construction industry, hence, it is intended to use the drilling cuttings contaminated with diesel as a partial replacement for the conventional raw material for the Manufacture of asphalt pavement. To determine the composition of the dry and wet drill cuttings, physical, chemical and mechanical tests were carried out that showed a hydrocarbon content of 3.2% and 6.9% respectively, higher than the maximum limit established for final disposal, due to the presence of diesel in the composition. Regarding its granulometry, it is evident that more than 70% of its particles are fine, so it can be used as a modifier of the granulometry of the aggregate. Different mixing ratios were established to improve their properties in the application proposal, obtaining viable results. In this regard, resistances of 46%, 33% and 32% higher than the minimum limit were obtained to be used in pavement patching actions as a subbase. Elements that drill cuttings can replace conventional raw materials such as aggregates or aggregates in the restoration of sub-base of asphalt pavements, this management alternative being beneficial from an environmental point of view.