Non-Fuel Carbon-Neutral Use of Lignite: Mechanism of Bitumen and Humic Acid Interaction

Yuriy Prysiazhnyi, Yurii Lypko, Taras Chipko, Denis Miroshnichenko, Maryna Zhylina, Mykhailo Miroshnychenko, Hennadii Omelianchuk and Serhiy Pyshyev ()
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Yuriy Prysiazhnyi: The Department of Chemical Technology of Oil and Gas Processing, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 79013 Lviv, Ukraine
Yurii Lypko: The Department of Chemical Technology of Oil and Gas Processing, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 79013 Lviv, Ukraine
Taras Chipko: The Department of Chemical Technology of Oil and Gas Processing, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 79013 Lviv, Ukraine
Denis Miroshnichenko: The Department of Oil, Gas and Solid Fuel Refining Technologies, National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, 61002 Kharkiv, Ukraine
Maryna Zhylina: Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Riga Technical University, Paula Valdena Street 3, K-1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Mykhailo Miroshnychenko: The Department of Oil, Gas and Solid Fuel Refining Technologies, National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, 61002 Kharkiv, Ukraine
Hennadii Omelianchuk: The Department of Oil, Gas and Solid Fuel Refining Technologies, National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, 61002 Kharkiv, Ukraine
Serhiy Pyshyev: The Department of Chemical Technology of Oil and Gas Processing, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 79013 Lviv, Ukraine

Clean Technol., 2025, vol. 7, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: The study investigates the interaction of humic acids (HAs) with road petroleum bitumen to enhance its performance and resistance to technological aging. It addresses a critical gap in understanding the modification mechanisms. The research is motivated by the need for sustainable and effective bitumen modifiers to improve the durability of asphalt pavements. The primary objective was to characterize the interaction between HA and bitumen using advanced analytical techniques, including complex thermal analysis (DTA/DTG), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrated that adding two wt.% HA to bitumen BND 70/100 increased its thermal stability, raising the onset temperature of thermo-oxidative processes from 214 to 237 °C and reducing the mass loss rate during heating from 2.5 to 1.9%·min −1 . FTIR analysis revealed chemical interactions between polar groups of humic acids (e.g., –COOH, –OH) and bitumen components, forming a denser structure. SEM images confirmed a more homogeneous microstructure with fewer microcracks in the modified bitumen. Practical improvements included a higher softening point (52.6 to 54 °C) and enhanced elastic recovery (17.5 to 28.7%). However, the study noted limitations such as reduced ductility (from 58 to 15 cm) and penetration (from 78 to 72 dmm), indicating increased stiffness. The findings highlight the potential of humic acids as eco-friendly modifiers to improve bitumen’s aging resistance and thermal performance, offering practical value for extending pavement lifespan. The effective use of HA will, in turn, allow the use of Ukrainian lignite, the balance reserves of which are estimated at 2.0–2.9 billion tons, in non-fuel technologies.

Keywords: lignite; humic acids; road bitumen; modification; carbon-neutral technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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