COAL-BASED SYNTHETIC ASPHALT. FINAL REPORT

The objective of this work was to investigate in the laboratory the technical and economic aspects of the production of a synthetic asphalt from U.S. bituminous and subbituminous coals. Bench-scale autoclave hydrogenation experiments were used to produce coal-based asphalt cements from Illinois No. 6 bituminous coal and a Wyoming subbituminous coal. Coal liquefaction samples from a continuous 5.45 metric ton/day plant at Wilsonville, AL were also evaluated for asphalt potential. The coal-based asphalts had higher age hardening and viscosity-temperature susceptibility (VTS) than typical petroleum asphalts. Catalytic hydrogenation and addition of ca, 3% styrene- butadiene copolymer reduced age hardening and VTS, respectively, to AASHTO specifications. A polymer-modified coal-based asphalt cement was produced which satisfied all AASHTO specifications except the optional thin film oven test (TFOT) weight loss. A factorially designed experiment showed that VTS of coal-based asphalts was insensitive to process conditions. Hydrated lime treatment lowered VTS slightly, but the polymer additive was required to achieve specification VTS values. Age hardening was primarily due to oxidation with a minor contribution from volatiles loss. Marshall stability testing showed the coal-based compacted mixes to have excellent resistance to plastic flow. Immersion compression testing showed high stability and retained strengths. A two-stage catalytic coal liquefaction process was designed for producing 1000 metric TPD of coal-based asphalt. Economic analysis showed the coal-based asphalt to be more expensive currently than petroleum asphalt.

• Corporate Authors:

  Auburn University

  Department of Chemical Engineering
  Auburn, AL  United States  36849

  Federal Highway Administration

  Research, Development and Technology
  6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Guin, J A
  • Curtis, C W
  • Tarrer, A R
• Publication Date: 1986-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 136 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age hardening; Asphalt; Bituminous coal; Coal liquefaction; Economic analysis; Feasibility analysis; Stability (Mechanics); Strength of materials; Synthetics; Temperature; Viscosity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Susceptibility
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00461844
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/RD-86/061, FCP 34D2-043
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-61-83-C-00030
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1987 12:00AM