Study on Miscibility, Thermomechanical Behavior, and Thermoregulation Performance of Paraffin Wax/Bituminous Blends for Solar Thermal Energy Storage Applications.

The goal of this work was to study the miscibility, thermal stability, thermomechanical properties, and temperature regulation performance of paraffin wax/bitumen blends for their potential use in solar thermal energy storage applications. Results indicated that these blends present a suitable thermal stability, and their thermomechanical properties are strongly dependent on composition, developed microstructure, and temperature. Among all paraffin wax concentrations studied, the blend containing 40 wt % paraffin wax displays enhanced binder elastic properties together with lower thermal susceptibility compared to base bitumen.

Emulsion Stabilization by Cationic Lignin Surfactants Derived from Bioethanol Production and Kraft Pulping Processes.

Oil-in-water bitumen emulsions stabilized by biobased surfactants such as lignin are in line with the current sustainable approaches of the asphalt industry involving bitumen emulsions for reduced temperature asphalt technologies. With this aim, three lignins, derived from the kraft pulping and bioethanol industries, were chemically modified via the Mannich reaction to be used as cationic emulsifiers. A comprehensive chemical characterization was conducted on raw lignin-rich products, showing that the kraft sample presents a higher lignin concentration and lower molecular weight.

Ageing Effects on a Softened Bitumen by the Addition of DSA (Dodecenyl Succinic Anhydride).

The softening of aged bitumen is necessary for a successful asphalt rejuvenation in road recycling operations. Thus, this study proposes a novel and successful approach by using Dodecenyl Succinic Anhydride (DSA), a reactive surfactant with a polar head capable of reacting with some polar compounds of bitumen. On this basis, this paper analyses the softening potential and ageing inhibition capability of the addition of 3 wt.

Bioethanol Production and Alkali Pulp Processes as Sources of Anionic Lignin Surfactants.

Lignin is an abundant biopolymer with potential value-added applications that depend on biomass source and fractioning method. This work explores the use as emulsifiers of three native lignin-rich product coming from industrial bioethanol production and alkali or Kraft pulping. In addition to their distinctive characteristics, the different molecular organization induced by emulsification pH is expected to interact in various ways at the water-oil interface of the emulsion droplets.

Rheology of Polymer Processing in Spain (1995-2020).

The contribution of Spanish scientists to the rheology involved in polymer processing during the last 25 years is investigated. It is shown that the performed research covers, at different levels, all industrial polymeric materials: thermoplastics, thermosets, adhesives, biopolymers, composites and nanocomposites, and polymer modified bitumen. Therefore, the rheological behaviour of these materials in processing methods such as extrusion, injection moulding, additive manufacturing, and others is discussed, based on the literature results.