Energy & Fuels, Vol.20, No.5, 2174-2180, 2006
Characterization of chemical reactivity of liquid antistripping additives using potentiometric titration and FTIR Spectroscopy
Chemical reactivity of two liquid antistripping additives mixed with two bitumens of diverse acid numbers was evaluated. Additives present in the blends were detected by use of potentiometric titration and infrared spectroscopy. Tests were done at dosages of 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%; storage temperatures of 25, 100, 140, and 150 degrees C; and storage times of 1, 24, and 72 h. At 0.5% dosage, close to typical field values, the more basic additive mixed with bitumen of high acid number almost ceased to be detected after 24 h of storage at 140 degrees C. The less basic additive could be detected beyond these conditions, irrespective of the bitumen used. At higher dosages, reactions with the bitumens were found to be more pronounced with the more basic additive. The reactions between the additives and bitumens studied seemed to be higher in the bitumen with higher acid number, irrespective of the dosage. Statistical analysis indicated that all the parameters studied significantly affected change in amount of additives detected in the blends. A correlation was established between potentiometric titration and infrared spectroscopy in detecting amine additives. This correlation notwithstanding, infrared spectroscopy was found to not be a good tool for measuring amines in the blends, especially at low concentrations.