Thermal conductivity and environmental aspects of cigarette butt modified asphalt

Abstract

Trillions of cigarette butts (CBs) are being littered every minute, causing a global cigarette butt pollution problem. Because of having cellulose acetate based polymeric structure, CBs take years to biodegrade and leach toxic chemicals and heavy metals in due process. Researchers have made several attempts to recycle cigarette butts in different construction materials, developed a novel encapsulation technique for CBs, and incorporated bitumen and wax encapsulated cigarette butts in dense graded asphalt preparation. As a continuation and expansion of the parent research, this paper focused on the in-depth volumetric analysis of asphalt prepared with bitumen encapsulated cigarette butts, thermal conductivity, and potential for energy savings. Volumetric analysis assessment demonstrated the potential of material saving and energy saving during transportation of construction materials. Thermal conductivity test results have indicated that bitumen encapsulated cigarette butts (BECB) modified asphalt have better resistance to damage due to temperature variations. The use of up to 1% BECB in asphalt by maintaining air void has been advised based on the laboratory investigation, and recommendations have been made for the further expansion of the research.

Keywords

• cigarette butts
• recycling
• encapsulation
• asphalt
• thermal conductivity
• energy saving