Abstract
This work aims to use wax to modify a binder employed in the paving industry. This wax can be obtained either directly or as a by-product from plastic waste′s thermal cracking (pyrolysis). The study characterizes this sustainable material and the binders resulting from blending it with conventional or modified bitumen with other additives applied in the manufacture of bituminous mixtures. Different tests were used: thermogravimetric and spectroscopic analysis; consistency tests; testing of dynamic viscosity at various temperatures; and assessment of the rheologic properties of binders. As a result, several crucial findings were reached: this sustainable wax promotes changes in the viscosity of the binders, their handling temperatures can be reduced, and it contributes to some goals of the U.N. 2030 Agenda. In summary, this work allowed us to conclude that the positive effects of a suitable modification of the bituminous binders, which incorporated this wax and other additives, led to improved consistency and rheological behaviour, having provided, for example, lower temperature susceptibility and higher permanent deformation resistance.
Highlights
Academic Editor: Jacek TomkówThis manuscript refers to a part of a broader research project that was carried out to validate an initial hypothesis: would it be feasible and beneficial to use a waste-derived by-product, resulting from a sustainable production of middle and heavy hydrocarbons, for the improvement of some properties of different binders used in bituminous mixtures for flexible pavements?Here is described a part of the laboratory work to confirm some aspects of this hypothesis
The use of waxes resulting from the processing of plastic waste is a sustainable route, which contributes to minimizing specific environmental impacts and offers added value to the paving technology and the waste management sector
high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waxes can be produced in a simple reaction system, with relatively low operating costs, which makes alternative fuels and does not release hazardous compounds into the atmosphere; The melting point of these waxes is about 114 ◦ C, and the thermal degradation initiation temperature (Tonset ) is approximately 450 ◦ C
Summary
This manuscript refers to a part of a broader research project that was carried out to validate an initial hypothesis: would it be feasible and beneficial to use a waste-derived by-product, resulting from a sustainable production of middle and heavy hydrocarbons (chemical recycling), for the improvement of some properties of different binders used in bituminous mixtures for flexible pavements?. Is described a part of the laboratory work to confirm some aspects of this hypothesis. It started with the production and characterization of waxes resulting from pyrolysis, a thermochemical process that can be used, for example, to produce liquid fuel as an alternative to refine it from fossil sources (in a specific reaction system, developed at the IST—University of Lisbon—Portugal). The waxes were produced by thermal cracking (pyrolysis) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) recovered from plastic waste. In the first phase (described in this manuscript), the considered experimental program included, among other tests, the following: thermogravimetric and spectroscopic analysis, determination of the needle
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