Sample Preparation and Analytical Methods for Identifying Organic Compounds in Bituminous Emissions

Abstract

Bitumen is a major construction material that can emit harmful fumes when heated. These fumes pose health risks to workers and communities near construction projects or asphalt mixing plants. The chemical complexity of bitumen fumes and the increasing use of additives add to the difficulty of analytically quantifying the harmful chemicals emitted using a single technique. Research on bitumen emissions consists of numerous sample preparation and analytical methods. There are a range of considerations to be made when deciding on an appropriate sample preparation method and instrumental configuration to optimise the analysis of specific organic contaminants in emissions. Researchers investigating emissions from bituminous materials may need to consider a range of analytical techniques to quantify harmful chemicals and assess the efficacy of new additives. This review summarises the primary methodologies for sample preparation and analytical techniques used in bitumen research and discusses future challenges and solutions.

Multimethod Approach to Investigate the Factors Influencing High-Temperature Fuming of Bitumen

“…A range of sample preparation methods have been used to analyze bitumen emissions. In the laboratory, this includes sampling through the use of filters to concentrate emissions, headspace sampling, headspace solid-phase microextraction sampling, and nonseparative real-time sampling . Many current laboratory methods used to examine bitumen emissions rely on the extraction and concentration of emissions onto filters.…”

“…In the laboratory, this includes sampling through the use of filters to concentrate emissions, headspace sampling, headspace solid-phase microextraction sampling, and nonseparative real-time sampling. 29 Many current laboratory methods used to examine bitumen emissions rely on the extraction and concentration of emissions onto filters. When using this method, bitumen is heated and mixed in a closed vessel, while air is pulled through the vessel’s headspace and subsequently through filters to collect and concentrate the emissions.…”