Use of TSRU Materials for Innovative Road Pavement Applications

该项目将研究尾矿溶剂回收单元材料(TSRUM)在沥青道路建设领域的创新应用。TSRUM由6%的沥青质、17%的矿物和大约75%的水组成。因此，预计与集料以适当比例以湿形式预混合TSRUM将提供所需的水分，以促进集料与沥青乳液和沥青质的混合，以提高稳定层的性能。为此，将研究在有和没有乳化沥青的粒状土壤中添加TSRUM(含水)。通过评估设计混合料的物理和机械性能，将为颗粒集料、TSRUM和沥青乳液的组合准备不同的配合比设计。混合料的力学性能将在混合料设计阶段通过马歇尔稳定性和抗拉强度试验进行评估。最终确定混合料设计后，将对混合料的性能进行研究，包括车辙、防潮和抗裂。拟议研究的目标是：(1)开发用于道路基层应用的颗粒集料和TSRUM组合的混合料设计；以及(2)调查设计的混合料的性能，包括抗永久变形、水分敏感性和抗裂性能。拟议的项目由艾伯塔大学与帝国石油公司合作，将为TSRUM在路面行业开发一种创新和增值的应用。这项研究不仅将使正在生产目前低价值TSRUM产品的油砂行业受益，而且将使加拿大和国外的道路所有者和最终用户受益。

This project will investigate an innovative application for tailings solvent recovery units material (TSRUM) in the asphalt road construction sector. TSRUM is composed of 6% asphaltenes, 17% minerals, and approximately 75% water. Hence, it is expected that pre-mixing TSRUM in a wet form in an appropriate proportion with the aggregates will provide the required moisture to facilitate mixing of the aggregate with the asphalt emulsion and asphaltenes to enhance the properties of the stabilized layers. For this purpose, the addition of TSRUM (containing water) to the granular soil with and without asphalt emulsion will be studied. By evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of the designed mixes, different mix designs will be prepared for combinations of granular aggregate, TSRUM, and asphalt emulsion. The mechanical properties of the mixes will be evaluated at the mix design stage using Marshall stability and tensile strength tests. After finalizing the mix designs, the mix's performance properties, including rutting resistance, moisture resistance, and cracking resistance, will be investigated.The objectives to be addressed in the proposed research are to: (1) develop a mix design for a combination of granular aggregates and TSRUM for road base course application; and (2) investigate the performance properties of the designed mixes, including resistance to permanent deformation, moisture sensitivity, and cracking resistance.The proposed project, led by the University of Alberta in partnership with Imperial Oil, will develop an innovative and value-added application for TSRUM in the pavement industry. This research will benefit not only the oil sands sector, which is generating the currently low-value TSRUM product, but also the owners and end-users of roads in Canada and abroad.