An Exploratory Study on the Use of Biobinder Derived from Brewer’s Spent Grains as an Asphalt Modifier
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 5
Abstract
The production of asphalt concrete depends on the use of nonrenewable resources, such as asphalt binder and crushed rocks. Nowadays, technologies exist to convert biomass into biofuels and other by-products, which are an alternative to traditional sources of energy. The by-products of biomass conversion are similar to those of petroleum distillation. Several researchers have investigated the use of bio-oils from biomass as asphalt additives, but the potential use of brewery waste has not been considered. In this project, spent grains from a local brewery were converted into bio-oil using an auger reactor. The water in the bio-oil was removed, and the biobinder was analyzed. It was found that the biobinder derived from brewer’s spent grain has an elemental composition similar to other biomass-derived biobinders. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified multiple polar functional groups in the biobinder, including high nitrogen content (4.6% by weight). Also, thermogravimetric analysis and gas chromatography showed a higher thermal degradation rate of the biobinder and loss of volatile components. The biobinder was used to create six blends with 5%, 8%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% replacement of asphalt. The performance of each of the six blends was compared with the performance of control unmodified samples. The modified binder characterization indicated that the biobinder makes the material more susceptible to permanent deformation at high temperatures, and it showed higher aging of the short-term aged residue. However, the biobinder seems to improve relaxation properties at low temperatures, which could be attributed to its high nitrogen content. The findings of this preliminary study suggest that production and use of brewer’s spent grain biobinder are feasible and could be considered a potential feedstock for further development of asphalt biomodifiers.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the New Brunswick Innovation Fund (NBIF) for funding this project and Picaroons Brewing Company for donating the spent grain used in this study. The Authors also want to extend their gratitude to Dr. Sina Varamini from McAsphalt Industries Ltd. for his support with the characterization of the modified asphalt binders.
References
ASTM. 2018. Standard test method for determining the flexural creep stiffness of asphalt binder using the bending beam rheometer (BBR). ASTM D6648-08. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM. https://doi.org/10.1520/D6648-08R16.
ASTM. 2020. Standard test method for multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) of asphalt binder using a dynamic shear rheometer. ASTM D7405-20. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM. https://doi.org/10.1520/D7405-20.
ASTM. 2021. Standard specification for performance graded asphalt binder. ASTM D6373-16. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM. https://doi.org/10.1520/D6373-16.
Ateş, F., E. Pütün, and A. E. Pütün. 2004. “Fast pyrolysis of sesame stalk: Yields and structural analysis of bio-oil.” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 71 (2): 779–790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2003.11.001.
Banks, S. W., and A. V. Bridgwater. 2016. “Catalytic fast pyrolysis for improved liquid quality.” In Handbook of biofuels production. Boston: Woodhead Publishing.
Brassard, P., S. Godbout, V. Raghavan, J. H. Palacios, M. Grenier, and D. Zegan. 2017. “The production of engineered biochars in a vertical auger pyrolysis reactor for carbon sequestration.” Energies 10 (3): 288. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10030288.
Cui, P., G. Schito, and Q. Cui. 2020. “VOC emissions from asphalt pavement and health risks to construction workers.” J. Cleaner Prod. 244 (Jan): 118757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118757.
Demiral, İ., and S. Sensöz. 2006a. “Structural analysis of pyrolysis products from pyrolysis of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) bagasse.” Energy Sources A: Recovery Util. Environ. Eff. 28 (12): 1159–1168. https://doi.org/10.1080/009083190966162.
Demiral, İ., and S. Şensöz. 2006b. “Fixed-bed pyrolysis of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) bagasse: Influence of pyrolysis parameters on product yields.” Energy Sources A: Recovery Util. Environ. Eff. 28 (12): 1149–1158. https://doi.org/10.1080/009083190966126.
Demirbas, A. 2009. Biofuels: Securing the planet’s future energy needs. Berlin: Springer.
Dhasmana, H., H. Ozer, I. Al-Qadi, Y. Zhang, L. Schideman, B. Sharma, W. T. Chen, M. Minarick, and P. Zhang. 2015. Rheological and chemical characterization of biobinders from different biomass resources, 121–129. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Record.
Diebold, J. P. 2000. A review of the chemical and physical mechanisms of the storage stability of fast pyrolysis bio-oils. Lakewood, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Feng, Z. G., H. J. Bian, X. J. Li, and J. Y. Yu. 2016. “FTIR analysis of UV aging on bitumen and its fractions.” Mater. Struct. 49 (4): 1381–1389. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-015-0583-9.
Fini, E. H., E. W. Kalberer, A. Shahbazi, M. Basti, Z. You, H. Ozer, and Q. Aurangzeb. 2011. “Chemical characterization of biobinder from swine manure: Sustainable modifier for asphalt binder.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 23 (11): 1506–1513. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000237.
Gao, J., H. Wang, Z. You, M. R. Mohd Hasan, Y. Lei, and M. Irfan. 2018. “Rheological behavior and sensitivity of wood-derived bio-oil modified asphalt binders.” Appl. Sci. 8 (6): 919. https://doi.org/10.3390/app8060919.
Hosseinnezhad, S., M. Zadshir, X. Yu, H. Yin, B. K. Sharma, and E. Fini. 2019. “Differential effects of ultraviolet radiation and oxidative aging on bio-modified binders.” Fuel 251: 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.04.029.
Hung, A. M., M. Mousavi, F. Pahlavan, and E. H. Fini. 2017. “Intermolecular interactions of isolated bio-oil compounds and their effect on bitumen interfaces.” ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng. 5 (9): 7920–7931. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b01462.
Hung, A. M., F. Pahlavan, S. Shakiba, S. L. Chang, S. M. Louie, and E. H. Fini. 2019. “Preventing assembly and crystallization of alkane acids at the silica–bitumen interface to enhance interfacial resistance to moisture damage.” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 58 (47): 21542–21552. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.9b04890.
Jourabchi, S. A., S. Gan, and H. K. Ng. 2014. “Pyrolysis of Jatropha curcas pressed cake for bio-oil production in a fixed-bed system.” Energy Convers. Manage. 78 (Feb): 518–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.11.005.
Jourabchi, S. A., S. Gan, and H. K. Ng. 2016. “Comparison of conventional and fast pyrolysis for the production of Jatropha curcas bio-oil.” Appl. Therm. Eng. 99 (Apr): 160–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.01.045.
Lazzari, E., T. Schena, M. C. Marcelo, C. T. Primaz, A. N. Silva, M. F. Ferrão, T. Bjerk, and E. B. Caramão. 2018. “Classification of biomass through their pyrolytic bio-oil composition using FTIR and PCA analysis.” Ind. Crops Prod. 111 (Jan): 856–864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.11.005.
Liu, H., W. Zeiada, G. G. Al-Khateeb, A. Shanableh, and M. Samarai. 2021. “Use of the multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test to characterize the rutting potential of asphalt binders: A literature review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 269 (Feb): 121320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121320.
Luo, H., L. Bao, H. Wang, L. Kong, and Y. Sun. 2018. “Microwave-assisted in-situ elimination of primary tars over biochar: Low temperature behaviours and mechanistic insights.” Bioresour. Technol. 267 (Nov): 333–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.07.071.
Mahssin, Z. Y., N. A. Hassan, H. Yaacob, M. H. Puteh, C. R. Ismail, R. P. Jaya, M. M. Zainol, and M. Z. H. Mahmud. 2021. “Converting biomass into bio-asphalt—A review.” In Vol. 682, No.1 of Proc., IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 012066. Bristol, UK: IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/682/1/012066.
Mettu, S., P. Halder, S. Patel, S. Kundu, K. Shah, S. Yao, and Z. Hathi. 2020. “Valorisation of agricultural waste residues.” In Waste valorisation: Waste streams in a circular economy. New York: Wiley.
Moralı, U., and S. Şensöz. 2015. “Pyrolysis of hornbeam shell (Carpinus betulus L.) in a fixed bed reactor: Characterization of bio-oil and bio-char.” Fuel 150 (Jun): 672–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.02.095.
Moralı, U., N. Yavuzel, and S. Şensöz. 2016. “Pyrolysis of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) sawdust: Characterization of bio-oil and bio-char.” Bioresour. Technol. 221 (Dec): 682–685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.09.081.
Myers, R., B. Shrager, and G. Brooks. 2000. Hot Mix Asphalt Plants Emission Assessment Report. Washington, DC: USEPA.
Nandiyanto, A. B. D., R. Oktiani, and R. Ragadhita. 2019. “How to read and interpret FTIR spectroscope of organic material.” Indonesian J. Sci. Technol. 4 (1): 97–118. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijost.v4i1.15806.
Oldham, D. 2020. “Implications of bio-modification on moisture damage mechanisms in asphalt binder matrix.” Doctoral dissertation, Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, Arizona State Univ.
Pahlavan, F., A. Hung, and E. H. Fini. 2018. “Evolution of molecular packing and rheology in asphalt binder during rejuvenation.” Fuel 222 (Jun): 457–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.02.184.
Province of British Columbia. 2017. “Extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) in water by GC/FID.” Accessed May 15, 2021. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/research-monitoring-and-reporting/monitoring/emre/methods/sept2017/bc_lab_manual_eph_waters_pbm_15sept2017.pdf.
Pütün, A. E., A. Özcan, and E. Pütün. 1999. “Pyrolysis of hazelnut shells in a fixed-bed tubular reactor: Yields and structural analysis of bio-oil.” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 52 (1): 33–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-2370(99)00044-3.
Raouf, M. A. 2010. “Development of non-petroleum binders derived from fast pyrolysis bio-oils for use in flexible pavement.” Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Iowa State Univ.
Samieadel, A., K. Schimmel, and E. H. Fini. 2018. “Comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of bio-modified binder and conventional asphalt binder.” Clean Technol. Environ. Policy. 20 (1): 191–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-017-1467-1.
Singh, D., C. Yenare, and B. Showkat. 2020. “Rheological and chemical characteristics of asphalt binder modified with groundnut shell bio-oil.” Adv. Civ. Eng. Mater. 9 (1): 311–339. https://doi.org/10.1520/ACEM20190227.
Singhvi, P., J. J. García Mainieri, H. Ozer, B. K. Sharma, and I. L. Al-Qadi. 2020. “Effect of chemical composition of bio-and petroleum-based modifiers on asphalt binder rheology.” Appl. Sci. 10 (9): 3249. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10093249.
Strausz, O. P., and E. M. Lown. 2003. The chemistry of Alberta oil sands, bitumens and heavy oils. Calgary, AB, Canada: Alberta Energy Research Institute.
Toraman, H. 2020. “Alternative fuels from biomass sources.” Accessed April 18, 2022. https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/537.
Williams, R. C., J. Satrio, M. Rover, R. C. Brown, and S. Teng. 2009. “Utilization of fractionated bio-oil in asphalt.” In Proc., 88th Meeting of the Transportation Research Board. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.
Yang, S. H., and T. Suciptan. 2016. “Rheological behavior of Japanese cedar-based biobinder as partial replacement for bituminous binder.” Constr. Build. Mater. 114: 127–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.03.100.
Yang, S. H., T. Suciptan, and Y. H. Chang. 2013. Investigation of rheological behavior of Japanese cedar–based biobinder as partial replacement for bituminous binder.” In Proc., TRB 92nd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.
Yang, X., and Z. You. 2015. “High temperature performance evaluation of bio-oil modified asphalt binders using the DSR and MSCR tests.” Constr. Build. Mater. 76 (Feb): 380–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.11.063.
Yang, X., Z. You, and J. Mills-Beale. 2015. “Asphalt binders blended with a high percentage of biobinders: Aging mechanism using FTIR and rheology.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 27 (4): 04014157. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001117.
Zahoor, M., S. Nizamuddin, S. Madapusi, and F. Giustozzi. 2021. “Recycling asphalt using waste bio-oil: A review of the production processes, properties and future perspectives.” Process Saf. Environ. Protect. 147 (Mar): 1135–1159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2021.01.032.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 5 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 11, 2022
Accepted: Aug 23, 2022
Published online: Feb 26, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jul 26, 2023
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.