Effect of Aggregate Types on Energy Consumption and Environmental Burdens of Hot-Mix Asphalt Production

This study investigated the effect of specific heat capacity of different aggregates on energy consumption and fuel usage in the production of hot-mix asphalt (HMA). The research considered 11 aggregate types, including recycled asphalt pavement, zinc extraction waste materials, and steel furnace slag. The research findings indicated that using conventional aggregates such as limestone aggregate requires 55%, 32%, and 88% more energy for heating than using recycled asphalt pavement, zinc extraction waste materials, and steel furnace slag, respectively. The results also indicated that by replacing the steel furnace slag with limestone aggregate and adopting natural gas, pollution from asphalt production (carbon dioxide gas emission) could be reduced by as much as 60%. Overall, this research underscores the importance of aggregate selection and waste material utilization in optimizing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impacts in HMA production.