Methods for the Quantification of Recycled Engine Oil Bottoms in Performance-Graded Asphalt Cement
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 30, Issue 2
Abstract
Recycled engine oil bottoms (REOB) are commonly used in asphalt cements to enhance their grade span and/or lower cost. REOB has been linked to premature road failures, resulting in bans and limits set on its use. This study aims to examine different methods of quantifying REOB in asphalt cement to determine if samples are within allowed limits, as well as measuring their feasibility and accuracy. A total of 17 REOB samples, over 30 mixed REOB in asphalt samples, and over 100 contract samples were examined. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy were all successfully calibrated to quantify the REOB content of a binder. Error is added to the quantification because the type of base asphalt will affect results obtained for each analytical method. Errors from different types of asphalt can be minimized using strategies such as weighted averages of results from different indicators, but error from the variability of REOB composition remains significant.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Imperial Oil of Canada, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for their continuing financial support. Staff from various user agencies are thanked for providing samples and advice on method development. Terry Arnold and Anant Shastry of the Federal Highway Administration in McLean, Virginia, are thanked for their helpful advice on this study. The authors are grateful to Professor Emeritus H. F. Shurvell for his assistance with the X-ray fluorescence determinations. The Department of Art Conservation is thanked for making the equipment available. Dr. Graham Cairns of the Analytical Services Unit at Queen’s University is thanked for his assistance with the ICP-AES analysis.
Disclaimers
None of the sponsors necessarily concurs with, endorses, or has adopted the findings, conclusions, or recommendations either inferred or expressly stated in subject data developed.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 30 • Issue 2 • February 2018
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 8, 2017
Accepted: Jul 19, 2017
Published online: Nov 22, 2017
Published in print: Feb 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Apr 22, 2018
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