Investigating the Feasibility of Using Jatropha Curcas Oil (JCO) as Bio Based Rejuvenator in Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP)

Abstract

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) usage has increased recently due to the decreasing supply of liquid asphalt and concerns over adverse health effects when making use of petroleum-based/chemical recycling agents which increased the need for bio-based recycling agents designed to return the RAP binder to its original state. The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of using jatropha curcas oil (JCO), which is a non-edible oil (do not compete with the food chain) that cannot be used for nutritional purposes due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors, such as phorbol esters, as a bio-base rejuvenating agent for aged bitumen. The physical properties and storage stability of the bio-oil, original bitumen, aged bitumen and rejuvenated bitumen were measured. The results of the investigation indicated that the bio-oil have potential to rejuvenate aged bitumen to condition that resembled the original bitumen, the use of the bio-oil show benefits from both health and environmental perspectives. Also the rejuvenated bitumen was found to be very stable in term of storage.