Characteristics of volatile organic compounds emission profiles from hot road bitumens

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 107; pp. 23 - 30
• Main Authors: Boczkaj, Grzegorz, Przyjazny, Andrzej, Kamiński, Marian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analysis methods; Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Asphalt; Atmospheric pollution; Bitumen fumes; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Exact sciences and technology; Gas chromatographic methods; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - methods; GC–MS; Hot Temperature; Hydrocarbons - chemistry; NPD; Pollutants; Pollution; Sulfur - chemistry; Volatile organic compounds (VOCs); Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis; Volatile Organic Compounds - chemistry; Volatilization; Asphalt; GC–MS; NPD; Pollutants; Bitumen fumes; Volatile organic compounds (VOCs); Road bitumen; Chemical analysis; Coupled method; Highway; Volatile organic compound; Flame ionization detector; Pollutant emission; GC-MS; Gas chromatography; Headspace; Air pollution; Qualitative analysis; Thermoionic detector; Fumes; Mass spectrometry
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.02.070

[Display omitted] •New procedure for comparison of VOC emission profiles from hot bituminous materials.•Very complex chemical composition of bitumen fumes.•The content of VOC strongly depends on the degree of bitumen oxidation.•Useful tools for optimization of the bitumen manufacturing processes. A procedure for the investigation and comparison of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission profiles to the atmosphere from road bitumens with various degrees of oxidation is proposed. The procedure makes use of headspace analysis and gas chromatography with universal as well as selective detection, including gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The studies revealed that so-called vacuum residue, which is the main component of the charge, contains variable VOC concentrations, from trace to relatively high ones, depending on the extent of thermal cracking in the boiler of the vacuum distillation column. The VOC content in the oxidation product, so-called oxidized paving bitumen, is similarly varied. There are major differences in VOC emission profiles between vacuum residue and oxidized bitumens undergoing thermal cracking. The VOC content in oxidized bitumens, which did not undergo thermal cracking, increases with the degree of oxidation of bitumens. The studies revealed that the total VOC content increases from about 120ppm for the raw vacuum residue to about 1900ppm for so-called bitumen 35/50. The amount of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in the volatile fraction of fumes of oxidized bitumens increases with the degree of oxidation of bitumen and constitutes from 0.34% to 3.66% (w/w). The contribution of volatile nitrogen compounds (VNCs) to total VOC content remains constant for the investigated types of bitumens (from 0.16 to 0.28% (w/w) of total VOCs). The results of these studies can also find use during the selection of appropriate bitumen additives to minimize their malodorousness. The obtained data append the existing knowledge on VOC emission from oxidized bitumens. They should be included in reports on the environmental impact of facilities in which hot bitumen binders are used.