Extraction and recovery of asphalt binder: a literature review

A literature review was conducted on the main aspects of asphalt binder extraction and recovery: i) extraction methods, ii) recovery methods and iii) solvents. The extraction methods include centrifuge, reflux and vacuum and others with particular focus on their effectiveness in dissolving the binder and the potential to modify it. Studies found that the centrifuge was a relatively safe cold extraction method that was fairly effective. For the recovery methods, the rotary evaporator was found to have a good reputation for relative ease of use and less binder modification than for the Abson method. The most commonly used solvents n-propyl bromide and chlorinated solvents, while being reusable, both had reported issues of ineffectiveness as well as major concerns about user safety. Bio-sourced solvents were found to be seldom used and required higher quantities. The study concluded that more research needed to be done in developing solvents. © 2019, Chinese Society of Pavement Engineering. Production and hosting by Springer Nature.