Oil Sludge as a Rejuvenator for Aged Bitumen: Structural and Thermal Effect

This study explores the potential of oil sludge, a hazardous by-product of the oil industry, as a sustainable rejuvenator for restoring the physicochemical and rheological properties of aged bitumen. Aged binder samples were modified with different concentrations of oil sludge (1%, 3%, and 5%) and a...

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Main Authors: Gulzat Aitkaliyeva, Saltanat Ashimova, Ilyas Baidullayev, Yerik Merkibayev, Madeniyet Yelubay, Gaukhar Toleutay, Cesare Oliviero Rossi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6757
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author Gulzat Aitkaliyeva
Saltanat Ashimova
Ilyas Baidullayev
Yerik Merkibayev
Madeniyet Yelubay
Gaukhar Toleutay
Cesare Oliviero Rossi
author_facet Gulzat Aitkaliyeva
Saltanat Ashimova
Ilyas Baidullayev
Yerik Merkibayev
Madeniyet Yelubay
Gaukhar Toleutay
Cesare Oliviero Rossi
author_sort Gulzat Aitkaliyeva
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the potential of oil sludge, a hazardous by-product of the oil industry, as a sustainable rejuvenator for restoring the physicochemical and rheological properties of aged bitumen. Aged binder samples were modified with different concentrations of oil sludge (1%, 3%, and 5%) and analyzed using dynamic shear rheometry (DSR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The incorporation of 5% oil sludge increased penetration from 60 to 71 mm and the softening point from 55 °C to 72 °C, indicating enhanced flexibility. DSR measurements showed a ~10% decrease in complex modulus (G*) and a slight increase in phase angle, confirming partial rheological recovery. FTIR spectra revealed partial restoration of aliphatic and aromatic functional groups, with a decrease in sulfoxide absorption bands, while SEM analysis indicated improved homogeneity and reduced microcracking. TGA confirmed enhanced thermal behavior and a reduction in residual mass. The novelty of this work lies in the first-time application of regionally sourced oil sludge as a rejuvenator, evaluated through a multiscale analytical framework. These findings demonstrate the dual benefits of performance recovery and hazardous waste valorization, contributing to sustainable road maintenance within a circular economy approach.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-3417
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spelling doaj-art-cc687b3305e346e090ec575fd424076a2025-08-20T03:27:02ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011512675710.3390/app15126757Oil Sludge as a Rejuvenator for Aged Bitumen: Structural and Thermal EffectGulzat Aitkaliyeva0Saltanat Ashimova1Ilyas Baidullayev2Yerik Merkibayev3Madeniyet Yelubay4Gaukhar Toleutay5Cesare Oliviero Rossi6Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Satbayev University, Almaty 050013, KazakhstanFaculty of Natural Science and Geography, Abai University, Almaty 050010, KazakhstanDepartment of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Satbayev University, Almaty 050013, KazakhstanDepartment of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Satbayev University, Almaty 050013, KazakhstanDepartment of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, Toraighyrov University, Pavlodar 14008, KazakhstanDepartment of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Satbayev University, Almaty 050013, KazakhstanDepartment of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, ItalyThis study explores the potential of oil sludge, a hazardous by-product of the oil industry, as a sustainable rejuvenator for restoring the physicochemical and rheological properties of aged bitumen. Aged binder samples were modified with different concentrations of oil sludge (1%, 3%, and 5%) and analyzed using dynamic shear rheometry (DSR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The incorporation of 5% oil sludge increased penetration from 60 to 71 mm and the softening point from 55 °C to 72 °C, indicating enhanced flexibility. DSR measurements showed a ~10% decrease in complex modulus (G*) and a slight increase in phase angle, confirming partial rheological recovery. FTIR spectra revealed partial restoration of aliphatic and aromatic functional groups, with a decrease in sulfoxide absorption bands, while SEM analysis indicated improved homogeneity and reduced microcracking. TGA confirmed enhanced thermal behavior and a reduction in residual mass. The novelty of this work lies in the first-time application of regionally sourced oil sludge as a rejuvenator, evaluated through a multiscale analytical framework. These findings demonstrate the dual benefits of performance recovery and hazardous waste valorization, contributing to sustainable road maintenance within a circular economy approach.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6757oil sludgebitumen rejuvenationcircular economywaste valorizationsustainable pavement
spellingShingle Gulzat Aitkaliyeva
Saltanat Ashimova
Ilyas Baidullayev
Yerik Merkibayev
Madeniyet Yelubay
Gaukhar Toleutay
Cesare Oliviero Rossi
Oil Sludge as a Rejuvenator for Aged Bitumen: Structural and Thermal Effect
Applied Sciences
oil sludge
bitumen rejuvenation
circular economy
waste valorization
sustainable pavement
title Oil Sludge as a Rejuvenator for Aged Bitumen: Structural and Thermal Effect
title_full Oil Sludge as a Rejuvenator for Aged Bitumen: Structural and Thermal Effect
title_fullStr Oil Sludge as a Rejuvenator for Aged Bitumen: Structural and Thermal Effect
title_full_unstemmed Oil Sludge as a Rejuvenator for Aged Bitumen: Structural and Thermal Effect
title_short Oil Sludge as a Rejuvenator for Aged Bitumen: Structural and Thermal Effect
title_sort oil sludge as a rejuvenator for aged bitumen structural and thermal effect
topic oil sludge
bitumen rejuvenation
circular economy
waste valorization
sustainable pavement
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6757
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AT yerikmerkibayev oilsludgeasarejuvenatorforagedbitumenstructuralandthermaleffect
AT madeniyetyelubay oilsludgeasarejuvenatorforagedbitumenstructuralandthermaleffect
AT gaukhartoleutay oilsludgeasarejuvenatorforagedbitumenstructuralandthermaleffect
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