Preparation and Performance Evaluation of a Low-Fume Asphalt Binder

Asphalt fume emissions cause significant environmental hazards during the preparation of hot-mix asphalt. In this study, experimental investigations were conducted employing a reactor vessel to simulate asphalt fumes under controlled conditions. Asphalt fumes were obtained through an integrated system comprising glass fiber filter cartridges and an impinger absorption bottle. Quantitative analysis was then conducted using gravimetric analysis and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Through systematic monitoring of compositional changes in asphalt binder fractions, the fume emission characteristics during in-plant mixing operations were quantitatively correlated with the following processing parameters: temperature, airflow rate, and mixing duration. Comparative evaluation revealed optimal performance from a ternary compound inhibitor containing cuprous chloride, ditert-butylhydroquinone, and ferric chloride in mass proportions of 4:4:2. At a critical dosage of 0.6 wt%, this compound inhibitor demonstrated significant reduction in total particulate matter emissions without compromising asphalt binder properties. In addition, comprehensive performance characterization through rheological testing and thin-film oven aging (TFOT) showed that the modified low-fume asphalt binder maintained equivalent or improved performances compared to a conventional asphalt binder.