Application of the water-insoluble pyrolysis oil fraction as an organic binder

Abstract Wood fast pyrolysis oil could potentially be applied as an additive to an organic binder for use in road construction. The aim of this work was to investigate the properties of a composite binder made of bitumen and the water-insoluble fraction of wood pyrolysis oil. Pyrolysis oil was made from birch wood by fast ablative pyrolysis. Separation of the pyrolysis oil was conducted with recovery of the water-insoluble fraction of wood pyrolysis oil. A composite binder consisting of bitumen and the water-insoluble fraction of pyrolysis oil was produced. Modified asphalt concrete was made with the composite binder. The properties of the composite binder and the modified asphalt concrete were investigated. It can be concluded that the water-insoluble fraction of pyrolysis oil can be used as a component of composite bitumen binder. The best properties are exhibited by the binder supplemented with 10–15% of the water-insoluble fraction of pyrolysis oil.