Asphalt Binder Modification with Re-Refined Heavy Vacuum Distillation Oil (RHVDO)

Asphalt binders used in the paving industry are required to perform under extreme conditions. At high temperatures when the binder is softer, it must withstand heavy traffic loading to prevent rutting. At low temperatures, it must remain flexible to resist cracking from traffic and thermal stresses. Additives have been used to improve the performance of asphalt binders and extend the temperature range where they can be used. These additives include many different organic polymers and chemicals to change the morphology or chemistry of the binders. One of these additives is the residue from the re-refining of used engine oil. In this study, an in-depth evaluation was performed to determine the performance characteristics of asphalt binders modified with Re-refined Heavy Vacuum Distillation Oil (RHVDO) at several different levels. Chemical analysis of the RHVDO and the asphalt binders was performed to determine what changes are taking place in the modified asphalt binder. Extensive rheological testing was also run on the binders to evaluate the physical properties of the binders under several different aging conditions. The study provides a full evaluation of the real nature of the effects of RHVDO modification of asphalt binders. (A)