Search Results (154)

The modern road industry requires a more effective solution according to efficiency and minimizing environmental burden. This article discusses the use of recycled materials to modify bitumen binders within the concept of the circular economy. The main aim of this article was to create a new composite based on waste materials, including polymer waste and rubber crumb. The important element is the usage of locally available waste that has not been investigated previously as a material for asphalt modification. The prepared composition was preliminarily assessed according to chemical composition. Next, research dedicated to road application was conducted, including the following: determination of the resistance to hardening, aging under the influence of high temperature and air, as well as oxidation processes, assessment of penetration, and evaluation of the softening point. The conducted studies showed that the new composites with the addition of polymer waste and rubber crumb improve the thermal stability, elasticity, and resistance of bitumen to aging. Optimum concentrations of modifiers were determined that provide an increase in the performance characteristics of bitumen, including a decrease in the brittleness temperature and an increase in the softening temperature. The obtained results demonstrate the potential for the introduction of new composites based on recycled materials in road construction, contributing to increased environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. Full article

Mobilisation of in situ fine particles within oil sands reservoirs plays a critical role in permeability reduction and pore throat blockage, ultimately impairing reservoir performance and diminishing well productivity during thermal recovery operations. Variations in reservoir fluid conditions, such as changes in salinity and temperature, trigger the detachment, transport, and redeposition of fines within porous media. This study introduces a novel high-pressure high-temperature (HP-HT) sand retention testing (SRT) facility designed for evaluating formation damage by fines migration in SAGD producer wells, under salinity change and elevated temperature conditions. Such an integrated approach accounting for conditions closer to near-wellbore SAGD producers has not been explored in previous SRT methodologies. Laboratory tests were conducted on synthetic sand mixtures replicating the particle size distribution (PSD) and sand composition of the McMurray Formation, packed over a slotted liner coupon as a common sand control device used in SAGD producer wells. Produced fines concentration analysis, permeability measurements, and post-mortem retention profile analysis were employed to explain the fines transport mechanisms. The results highlighted the influence of repulsive electrostatic forces in mobilising, transport mechanisms and retention of fine particles at elevated temperature and low salinity conditions. The findings of this paper provide a deeper understanding of fines migration in SAGD reservoirs, delivering insights for optimising field strategies to mitigate fines-related flow restrictions and enhance bitumen recovery efficiency. Full article

The pathways and mechanisms of primary hydrocarbon migration, which are still not well understood, are of great significance for evaluating both conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources, understanding the mechanisms of shale oil retention, and predicting sweet spots. To investigate the petrography, geochemistry, and pore systems of organic-rich mudstones and organic-lean sand-silt intervals in core samples from the Yanchang shale in the Ordos Basin, China, we conducted thin-section observation, X-ray diffraction, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and porosity analysis. Sand-silt intervals are heterogeneously developed within the Yanchang shale. The petrology, mineral composition, geochemistry, type, and content of solid organic matter as well as the pore type, pore size, and porosity of these intervals differ significantly from those of mudstones. Compared with mudstones, sand-silt intervals typically have coarser detrital grain sizes, higher contents of quartz, feldspar, and migrated solid bitumen (MSB), larger pore sizes, higher porosity, and higher oil saturation index (OSI). In contrast, they have lower contents of clay minerals, total organic carbon (TOC), free liquid hydrocarbons (S₁), and total residual hydrocarbons (S₂). The sand-silt intervals in the Yanchang shale serve as both pathways for hydrocarbon primary migration and “micro reservoirs” for hydrocarbon storage. The interconnected inorganic and organic pore systems, organic matter networks, fractures, and sand-silt intervals form the hydrocarbons’ primary migration pathways within the Yanchang shale. A model for the primary migration of hydrocarbons within the Yanchang shale is proposed. Full article

The goal of this study is to evaluate how the inclusion of synthetic wax, added in 0.5% increments from 1.5% to 3.5%, affects the characteristics of PMB 45/80-65 (polymer-modified bitumen) during both short-term (RTFOT) and long-term (PAV) aging processes. Tests were carried out to assess the fundamental properties of the binder, leading to the determination of the penetration index (PI) and the plasticity range (PR). The binder’s properties were examined at below-freezing operating temperatures, with creep stiffness measured using a bent beam rheometer (BBR) at −10 °C, −16° C, −22 °C, and −28 °C. The rheological properties of the asphaltenes were evaluated based on both linear and nonlinear viscoelasticity. The experimental study explored temperature effects on the rheological properties of composite materials using a DSR dynamic shear rheometer at 40 °C, 60 °C, and 80 °C over a frequency range of 0.005 to 10 Hz. The main parameters of interest were composite viscosity (η*) and zero shear viscosity (η₀). Viscoelastic parameters, including the dynamic modulus (G*) and phase shift angle (δ), were determined, and Black’s curves were used to illustrate the relationship between these parameters, where G*/sinδ was determined. The MSCR test was employed to investigate the impact of bitumen on the asphalt mixture’s resistance to permanent deformation and to assess the degree and efficacy of asphalt modification. The test measured two parameters, irreversible creep compliance (J_nr) and recovery (R), under stress levels of 0.1 kPa (LVE) and 3.2 kPa (N-LVE). The Christensen–Anderson–Marasteanu model was used to describe the bitumen behavior during binder aging, as reflected in the rheological study results. Ultimately, this study revealed that synthetic wax influences the rheological properties of PMB 45/80-65 polymer bitumen. Specifically, it mitigated the stiffness reduction in modified bitumen caused by polymer degradation during aging at an amount less than 2.5% of synthetic wax. Full article

Carbon-based nanomaterials have emerged as a promising strategy for bitumen modification to enhance the mechanical and thermal performance of pavements. This review evaluates the present advancements in the inclusion of coke and carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene into bituminous systems. The findings and limitations of recent experiments in synthesis procedures along with dispersion methods are deeply explored to determine their impact on the rheological properties of bitumen as well as aging resistance and durability characteristics. Petroleum coke enhances bitumen softening points by 10–15 °C and causes up to 30% improvement in rutting resistance while simultaneously prolonging material fatigue life and aging resistance. Bitumen modification through petroleum coke faces challenges in addition to mixing difficulties due to its high viscosity. Moreover, the incorporation of CNTs and graphene as CNMs shows significant enhancements in rutting resistance with improved tensile strength, lower additive requirements, and enhanced dispersion. Both the superior mechanical properties of carbon nanomaterials and processing advancements in nano-enhanced bitumen have the capability to solve technical issues including material costs and specialized mixing processes. Combining coke with CNMs to enhance performance is a future research direction, which could result in economic and scalability considerations. This review comprehensively explores insights into physicochemical interactions, performance outcomes, and processing techniques, crucial for the development of sustainable, high-performance bitumen composites tailored for next-generation infrastructure applications. Full article

Experiences in the production, transportation and preparation of crude oil for transportation have shown that specific problems arise related to their mixing, including water contamination. In recent years, interest in studying these problems has significantly increased, mainly due to the development of extraction technologies for heavy oil samples and bitumen. Along with various difficulties encountered during the pipeline transportation of complex rheological crude oil blended with each other and with light oil, including condensate (such as sedimentation, etc.), imbalances are also observed during storage, as well as in the processes of delivery and reception. During the dehydration of oil mixtures, a synergistic effect is observed in the consumption of demulsifier. The article investigates, in accordance with international standards and based on laboratory tests, how the physico-chemical properties (density, viscosity, freezing point, saturated vapor pressure, chemical composition) of mixtures formed by blending various grades and compositions of Azerbaijani oil examples with each other and with condensate change and how the efficiency of dehydration of oil mixtures is affected by the mixing ratio of the oil involved. It was found that the quality indicators (physico-chemical parameters) of oil mixtures differ non-additively from the initial parameters of the blended products and in some cases, this difference is even observed with anomalies. Moreover, depending on the mixing ratio of the oil, variations in the consumption of demulsifier were also identified. Full article

UV radiation can change the internal molecular composition, macroscopic rheological properties, and microscopic chemical composition of asphalt. To study the effect of ultraviolet aging on asphalt and its structure–activity relationship, its rheological properties were measured by dynamic shear rheology and multiple stress recovery creep tests, its chemical compositions were measured by component composition, elemental composition, and infrared spectrum tests, and its molecular weight, distribution, and molecular structure were determined by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance tests. Then, the molecular weight and molecular structure, rheological properties, and microchemical aging behavior of asphalt after UV aging were characterized by correlation analysis, and the structure–activity relationship was analyzed. The results show that the deformation resistance and elastic recovery ability of asphalt after UV aging are enhanced, and the flow performance is decreased. The ultraviolet radiation caused the aromatic hydrocarbons containing naphthenes and long alkyl chains in the asphalt to break and connect with asphaltenes with a ring structure. The asphaltene content in each bitumen sample exceeded 46%, and that in KL reached 55%, indicating that the bitumen changed into a gel structure. UV aging causes the aggregation of asphalt molecules, and the aggregation of molecules narrows the molecular distribution boundary and moves in the direction of macromolecules, resulting in the reduction of the dispersion coefficient by 2–10%. Hydrogen atoms will undergo condensation and substitution reactions due to long-chain breaking, cyclization, or aromatization under UV action, and the breaking of C=C bonds in carbon atoms will increase the stable aromatic ring, strengthen the stiffness of the molecular backbone, and make it difficult for the backbone to spin. Through correlation analysis, it was found that the molecular composition index could characterize the aging behavior index of asphalt, and that the aromatic structure was the most critical molecular change. Further, it was found that the sulfoxide group and carbonyl group could be used as evaluation criteria for the UV aging of asphalt because the correlation between them was above 0.7. This study provides an essential index reference for evaluating the performance change of asphalt under ultraviolet aging to save testing time. Moreover, the molecular structure characterization revealed the changes in internal molecular composition that were behind the observed aging properties, providing a theoretical basis for research on asphalt anti-aging technology. Full article

The Hammam–Zriba F–Ba (Zn–Pb) stratabound deposit is located within the Zaghouan Fluorite Province (ZFP), which is the most important mineral sub-province in NE Tunisia, with several CaF₂ deposits occurring mainly along the Zaghouan Fault and corresponding to an F-rich MVT mineral system developed along the unconformity surface between the uppermost Jurassic limestones and the late Cretaceous layers. Petrographic analysis, microthermometry, and Raman spectroscopy applied to fluid inclusions in fluorite revealed various types of inclusions containing brines, oil, CO₂, and CH₄ along with solid phases such as evenkite, graphite, kerogen and bitumen. Microthermometric data indicate homogenization temperatures ranging from 85 °C to 145 ± 5 °C and salinities of 13–22 wt.% NaCl equivalent. This study supports a model of heterogeneous trapping, where saline basinal brines, oil, and gases were simultaneously trapped within fluorite, which indicates fluid immiscibility. The Raman analysis identified previously undetected organic compounds, including the first documented occurrence of evenkite, a mineral hydrocarbon, co-genetically trapped with graphite. The identification of evenkite and graphite in fluid inclusions offers new insights into the composition of hydrocarbon-bearing fluids within the MVT deposits in Tunisia, contributing to an understanding of the mineralogical characteristics of these deposits. The identified hydrocarbons correspond to three oil families. Family I (aliphatic compounds) is attributed to the lower-Eocene Bou-Dabbous Formation, family II (aromatic compounds) is attributed to the Albian Fahdene Formation and the Cenomanian–Turonian Bahloul Formation, and family III is considered as a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic compounds generated by the three sources. The presence of graphite in fluid inclusions could suggest the involvement of a thermal effect from deep-seated sources through the reservoir to the site of fluorite precipitation. These findings suggest that the fluorite mineral system might have been linked with the interaction of multi-reservoir fluids, potentially linked to the neighboring petroleum system in northeastern Tunisia during the Miocene. This study aims to investigate the composition of fluid inclusions in fluorite from the Hammam–Zriba F–Ba (Zn–Pb) deposit, with a particular focus on the plausible sources of hydrocarbons and their implications for the genetic relationship between the mineralizing system and petroleum reservoirs. Full article

Geochemical and isotopic analysis of bitumen lining potsherds from the al-Qusur monastery (second half of the 7th c. CE and the middle of the 9th c. CE), at the central part of Failaka Island (Kuwait Bay), confirms the presence of two distinct compositional categories that can be matched to contemporary sources from two different areas of Iran: the Kermanshah province on one side, and the Khuzestan–Fars–Busher provinces on the other side. Potsherds comprise different types: TORP-S amphorae, TORP-C amphorae, SPORC storage jar, turquoise alkaline-glazed jar (TURQ.T), and CREAC jar. There is no relationship between the type of potsherd and the origin of bitumen. The bitumen coating SPORC jar, first identified as a kind of juice strainer to filter the «garum-like juice», was examined in greater details to try to identify traces of fish sauce mentioned in the Arabic kitchen books as ‘murri’, and quite similar to the Roman garum. The mineralogical analysis exhibits the classical minerals of archaeological mixtures (quartz, calcite, dolomite) and no halite. Hydrocarbons, alcohols, and methyl esters show a typical biodegraded bitumen signature but no fatty acids and terpenoids. It seems that the bitumen matrix has not adsorbed any molecules from the presumed «garum» filtered in the basin. Full article

The Bushy Park Pb-Zn deposit, hosted in unmetamorphosed carbonates of Neoarchean age, displays similarities to Phanerozoic Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) and Irish-type deposits. Mineralization is dated, by radiogenic methods, to Paleoproterozoic time. As such, Bushy Park is one of the oldest mineral deposits of this type in the world. Synsedimentary silicification and dolomitization preserve sedimentary fabrics, including microbial laminates, stromatolites, and oolites. Dolomitization likely was by evaporated seawater, as in Phanerozoic analogs. Structural control on mineralization, particularly solution collapse breccias, is similar to many Phanerozoic MVT and Irish-type deposits. Fluid inclusion data indicate three fluid endmembers involved in mineralization: a high-temperature, moderate-to-high salinity fluid; a low-temperature, moderate-to-high salinity fluid; and a moderate-to-low temperature, low salinity fluid. Saline fluids may have been sourced by evolved, evaporated seawater, and dilute fluids by meteoric and/or normal seawater. The fluids repeatedly mixed during ore and gangue mineral formation. Compositional zoning in gangue dolomite cement indicates that mineralizing fluid chemistry fluctuated over time. Petroleum inclusions and solid bitumen indicate that petroleum (oil) was an important fluid component at Bushy Park. Petroleum may have played a critical role in sulfur availability, addressing the issue of limited oceanic sulfate prior to and during the Great Oxidation Event. Full article

The Paleozoic strata in the Kongxi slope zone of the Dagang oilfield, Huanghua depression, exhibit significant hydrocarbon exploration potential. Although bitumen is widely present in the Paleozoic reservoirs, its formation process and genetic mechanism remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigates the occurrence, maturity, origin, and evolutionary processes of Paleozoic reservoir bitumen in the Kongxi zone through core observations, microscopic analyses, geochemical testing, and thermal simulation experiments. The results reveal that reservoir bitumen in the Kongxi slope zone is characteristically black with medium to medium-high maturity. In core samples, bitumen occurs as bands, veins, lines, and dispersions within partially filled fractures and breccia pores. Petrographic analysis shows bitumen partially occupying intergranular pores and intergranular pores of Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks and Upper Paleozoic sandstones, either as complete or partial pore fills. Additional bitumen occurrences include strip-like deposits along microfractures and as bitumen inclusions. Dark brown bitumen fractions were also identified in crude oil separates. The formation and evolution of Paleozoic reservoir bitumen in the Kongxi slope zone occurred in two main stages. The first-stage bitumen originated from Ordovician marine hydrocarbon source rocks, subsequently undergoing oxidative water washing and biodegradation during tectonic uplift stage. This bitumen retains compositional affinity with crude oils from Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks. Second-stage bitumen formed through the thermal evolution of Carboniferous crude oil during deeper burial, showing compositional similarities with Carboniferous source rocks and their oil. This two-stage bitumen evolution indicates charging events in the Paleozoic reservoirs. While early uplift and exposure destroyed some paleo-reservoirs, unexposed areas within the Dagang oilfield may still contain preserved primary accumulations. Furthermore, second-stage hydrocarbon, dominated condensates derived from Carboniferous coal-bearing sequences since the Eocene, experienced limited thermal evolution to form some bitumen. These condensate accumulations remain the primary exploration target in the Paleozoic Formations. Full article

The increasing environmental impact of industrial waste, particularly from the textile sector, has driven efforts to integrate alternative materials into road construction. This study explores the feasibility of incorporating recycled cotton textile fibers into Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) mixtures to enhance their mechanical performance and sustainability. The bituminous mixture SMA 11 surf 35/50 was designed with 0.3% textile fibers, a dosage optimized to prevent binder drainage while maintaining adequate structural properties. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate bulk and maximum density, air void content, water sensitivity, and resistance to permanent deformation. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of 0.3% textile fibers significantly reduced binder drainage, improved moisture resistance with an ITSR of 96.30%, and enhanced stability under traffic loads. Although the WTSAIR value of 0.12 mm/1000 cycles did not fully comply with PG-3 requirements for T2 traffic, slight adjustments in binder content or composition could optimize performance. Beyond technical benefits, this study highlights the environmental and economic advantages of repurposing locally generated textile waste, reducing landfill accumulation, and fostering synergies between industries. Future research should focus on optimizing bitumen content, conducting fatigue and aging tests, and validating field performance under real traffic and environmental conditions to ensure long-term durability and compliance with road specifications. Full article

Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is a widely used thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique in North America, particularly in high-permeability oil sand reservoirs. While effective, its economic viability has declined due to low oil prices and high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the steam generation. To improve cost-effectiveness and reduce emissions, solvent-assisted SAGD techniques have been explored. Expanding Solvent-SAGD (ES-SAGD) involves co-injecting light hydrocarbons like propane or butane with steam to enhance oil viscosity reduction. This approach lowers the steam–oil ratio by combining solvent dissolution effects with thermal effects. However, the high cost of solvents, particularly butane, challenges its commercial feasibility. Propane is cheaper but less effective, while butane improves performance but remains expensive. This research aims to optimize ES-SAGD by using a propane–butane mixture to achieve efficient performance at a lower cost than pure butane. A linear sand pack is used to evaluate different propane/butane compositions, maintaining constant operational conditions and a solvent concentration of 15 vol.%. Temperature monitoring provides insights into steam chamber growth. Results show that solvent injection significantly enhances ES-SAGD performance compared to conventional SAGD. Performance improves with increasing butane concentration, up to 80% butane in the C₃–C₄ mixture at the test pressure and ambient temperature. Propane alone results in the lowest system temperature, while conventional SAGD reaches the highest temperature. These findings highlight the potential of optimized solvent mixtures to improve ES-SAGD efficiency while reducing costs and GHG emissions. Full article

Flexible pavements stand out as the most commonly used worldwide, compared to rigid and composite pavements, owing to their versatility and widespread application. The use of hot mix asphalt (HMA) in flexible pavements causes significant environmental concerns due to high CO₂ emissions and energy consumption, whereas warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies have gained popularity in recent decades, offering a more sustainable alternative by enabling asphalt production at lower temperatures. WMA technologies can be categorized into three main groups: foaming, organic additives, and chemical additives, with each offering distinct benefits for performance and environmental impact. One of the chemical additives used in WMA production is Cecabase RT BIO10. In this study, virgin bitumen with 50/70 penetration was modified by adding Cecabase RT BIO10 at four levels: 0%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% by weight. The experimental design employed a Taguchi L16 orthogonal array to systematically evaluate the effects of various factors on modified bitumen performance. Binders were prepared at four temperatures (110 °C, 120 °C, 130 °C, and 140 °C), four mixing durations (15, 20, 25, and 30 min), and four mixing speeds (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 rpm), enabling an efficient analysis of each parameter’s impact. The prepared binders were subjected to a series of tests, including penetration, softening point, flash point, rotational thin film oven test (RTFOT), elastic recovery, Marshall stability, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and FTIR analysis. These tests were conducted to investigate the effects of various parameters and levels on the binder properties. Additionally, stiffness and seismic modules were evaluated to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the binder’s performance. The experiment results revealed that the penetration, elastic recovery percentage, and Marshall stability increased with increasing additive content while the softening point and RTFOT mass loss decreased. At a high service temperature of 40 °C, the stiffness modulus of the modified bitumen decreased slightly. At a low service temperature of −10 °C, it decreased further. Additionally, the incorporation of Cecabase RT BIO10 led to an increase in the seismic modulus. Through optimization using the Taguchi method, the optimal levels were determined to be a 0.4% Cecabase RT BIO10 ratio, 140 °C mixing temperature, 30 min mixing time, and 1000 RPM mixing speed. The optimal responses for each test were identified and integrated into a unified optimal response, resulting in a comprehensive design guide with 95% confidence level estimates for all possible level combinations. Full article

During roof renovations, large quantities of waste BBRM (bitumen-based roofing materials) are generated, and the possibilities for recycling these materials have so far been very limited. In general, they can be crushed and mixed with asphalt to pave roads or can be burned for energy. While waste plastic materials are often recycled, the remelting process significantly degrades their durability and mechanical properties. Unlike conventional methods, our recycling process results in a material with properties that are in many ways superior to the original materials. It is durable, weather resistant, and has exceptionally high mechanical strength. This material can be used to produce various construction components, including replacing quickly degradable wooden parts in structures. The composite material demonstrates increased flexibility, enhanced tensile strength, and improved resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and environmental degradation compared to standard bitumen. The process is simple and can be carried out directly at the renovation site using a portable device. Full article