Dodecylbenzenesulfonic Acid as a Bitumen Modifier: A Novel Approach To Enhance Rheological Properties of Bitumen

Bitumen deterioration has been traditionally overcome by its modification with polymers, sometimes producing unstable blends as a result of their mutual lack of affinity. A new and different approach based on the use of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) is herein reported. DSBA is a surfactant that contains a strong acid group capable of interacting with asphaltene molecules, commonly used as a dispersing agent for asphaltenes in crude oils. However, the contrary effect can also be obtained, as long as a critical concentration is not surpassed. In this work, the influence that the additive concentration and processing temperature exert on the thermomechanical behavior of DBSA-modified bitumen has been assessed by means of rheological, thermal, and thermogravimetric analyses. Within the concentration range used (0.4–3 wt %), the attachment of DBSA to asphaltene molecules promoted the association of asphaltene molecules/aggregates into larger clusters in bitumen, with 3 wt % DBSA noticeably improving rheol...

[1]  L. Poulikakos,et al.  From virgin to recycled bitumen: A microstructural view , 2015 .

[2]  S. Andersen,et al.  Interaction of asphaltenes with nonylphenol by microcalorimetry. , 2004, Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids.

[3]  B. Birgisson,et al.  Polymer modification of bitumen : Advances and challenges , 2014 .

[4]  V. Starov,et al.  Viscosity of emulsions: influence of flocculation. , 2003, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[5]  Moisés García-Morales,et al.  Bitumen modification with a low-molecular-weight reactive isocyanate-terminated polymer , 2007 .

[6]  H. Scott Fogler,et al.  Stabilization of Asphaltenes in Aliphatic Solvents Using Alkylbenzene-Derived Amphiphiles. 1. Effect of the Chemical Structure of Amphiphiles on Asphaltene Stabilization , 1994 .

[7]  A. Firoozabadi,et al.  Effect of resins and DBSA on asphaltene precipitation from petroleum fluids , 2004 .

[8]  Pavel Kříž,et al.  Rheological Properties of Asphalt/SBS/Clay Blends , 2008 .

[9]  H. S. Fogler,et al.  Stabilization of Asphaltenes in Aliphatic Solvents Using Alkylbenzene-Derived Amphiphiles. 2. Study of the Asphaltene-Amphiphile Interactions and Structures Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Techniques , 1994 .

[10]  H. Yarranton,et al.  Molecular Weight and Density Distributions of Asphaltenes from Crude Oils , 2013 .

[11]  Moisés García-Morales,et al.  Use of a MDI-functionalized reactive polymer for the manufacture of modified bitumen with enhanced properties for roofing applications , 2008 .

[12]  R. Pal.  A new model for the viscosity of asphaltene solutions , 2015 .

[13]  Yongan Gu,et al.  Effects of asphaltene content on the heavy oil viscosity at different temperatures , 2007 .

[14]  P. Levitz,et al.  Insight into asphaltene nanoaggregate structure inferred by small angle neutron and X-ray scattering. , 2011, The journal of physical chemistry. B.

[15]  A. Firoozabadi,et al.  Self-assembly of resins and asphaltenes facilitates asphaltene dissolution by an organic acid. , 2013, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[16]  Julien Masson,et al.  Glass transitions and amorphous phases in SBS–bitumen blends , 2005 .

[17]  Peter Collins,et al.  Ordering and steric-hardening in SBS-modified bitumen , 2006 .

[18]  João C. Bordado,et al.  Bitumen modification with reactive and non-reactive (virgin and recycled) polymers: A comparative analysis , 2009 .

[19]  F. Martínez-Boza,et al.  Rheological characteristics of ground tire rubber-modified bitumens , 2002 .

[20]  Antxon Santamaria,et al.  Influence of the processing conditions on the rheological behaviour of polymer-modified bitumen , 2003 .

[21]  J. R. Matos,et al.  Contribution of Thermal Analysis For Characterization of Asphaltenes From Brazilian Crude Oil , 2001 .

[22]  J. Sjöblom,et al.  Interactions between asphaltenes and alkylbenzene-derived inhibitors investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry , 2015, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry.

[23]  O. Mullins.  The Modified Yen Model , 2010 .

[24]  E. Rogel,et al.  Study of the Adsorption of Alkyl Benzene-Derived Amphiphiles on Asphaltene Particles , 1999 .

[25]  P. Kríž,et al.  Glass Transition and Phase Stability in Asphalt Binders , 2008 .

[26]  A. Firoozabadi,et al.  Acid–base chemistry enables reversible colloid-to-solution transition of asphaltenes in non-polar systems , 2012 .

[27]  Raghavan,et al.  Shear-Thickening Response of Fumed Silica Suspensions under Steady and Oscillatory Shear , 1997, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[28]  P. Partal,et al.  Enhancing the viscoelastic properties of bituminous binders via thiourea-modification , 2012 .

[29]  Julien Masson,et al.  Time-Dependent Microstructure of Bitumen and Its Fractions by Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry , 2002 .

[30]  Jiqian Wang,et al.  The Properties of Asphaltenes and Their Interaction with Amphiphiles , 2009 .

[31]  Julien Masson,et al.  Bitumen microstructure by modulated differential scanning calorimetry , 2001 .

[32]  Lamia Goual,et al.  Role of ion-pair interactions on asphaltene stabilization by alkylbenzenesulfonic acids. , 2015, Journal of colloid and interface science.