Feasibility of producing bitumen from different types of tar

Traditionally, the presence of n-paraffins in tar is known to negatively affect the fragility, adhesion, and internal cohesion of bitumen particles, making paraffinic tar impractical for producing high-quality bitumen. This study investigates the potential enhancement of bitumen properties through the compounding of residue from the distillation of Orkhiv oil with tar. Bitumen samples were prepared via oxidation of the compounded mixture within a temperature range of 210–2700C. The research explores the effects of oxidation duration (ranging from 3 to 12 hours), temperature, and oxidizer consumption on the resulting bitumen properties. Furthermore, the study examines the impact of the mixture ratio of paraffinic tar and residue from Orkhiv oil distillation on bitumen characteristics. Key bitumen properties, including softening point, ductility, penetration, penetration index, plasticity interval, brittleness temperature, and adhesion to glass, were systematically determined. Optimal process conditions were identified, specifically at a temperature of 2500C and an airflow rate of 2.5 min–1. The kinetic parameters of the oxidation process for the tar mixture were studied, leading to the calculation of the reaction rate constant under various influencing factors. The results demonstrate the feasibility of producing bitumen suitable for asphalt concrete coatings with improved performance characteristics.