Performance analysis of direct coal liquefaction residue (DCLR) and Trinidad Lake asphalt (TLA) for the purpose of modifying traditional asphalt

The properties of asphalt blended with the direct coal liquefaction residue (DCLR) and Trinidad Lake asphalt (TLA) materials were analyzed and compared in order to study the feasibility of using DCLR to replace TLA for asphalt modification. In this study, four DCLR and TLA contents (5, 10, 15, and 20 %) were mixed with the SK-90 base asphalt. The high- and low-temperature performances of the DCLR and TLA modified asphalt were evaluated by the Superpave ^TM and penetration grade systems. The chemical compositions of these materials were analyzed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The test results indicate that (1) the DCLR and TLA materials in the asphalt can improve the high-temperature performance of the modified asphalt; (2) the effect of DCLR on improving the performance of asphalt is better than TLA under high temperatures; and (3) it is possible that most of the DCLR and TLA particles are physically dispersed in the asphalt. Therefore, it is better to use the DCLR material for the replacement of TLA considering the cost and performance of DCLR and TLA modified asphalt.