Sripath Technologies President Krishna Srinivasan recently presented a comprehensive review of the evolution of the crude oil industry and its impact on bitumen production and quality during the Society for Asphalt Technology (SAT) Binderrr Conference 2024. The conference included global speakers and industry leaders representing one of the largest gatherings in the South African asphalt industry. Themes included solutions driven innovation, sustainability, and development toward long-term durability of asphalt surfaces.
During the presentation, which was paired with a technical paper, Srinivasan highlighted the changing landscape of bitumen production and key considerations for those procuring bitumen. With single source crudes a thing of the past, procurers must grapple with the fact that different crude oils yield different bitumen grades, and different bitumen blends can exhibit different functional characteristics. This has a practical impact on mix performance and inconsistencies that the industry can no longer expect suppliers to take responsibility for.
Additives pose a potential solution for a number of bitumen quality challenges, allowing for substandard bitumen to contribute to a quality mix. Importantly, additives can enhance physical and functional bitumen properties, but they may not restore chemistry. Additives such as bitumen softeners and polymers can improve the performance including viscosity, workability, and both low- and high-temperature properties.
Notably, Sripath’s product portfolio includes a lineup of effective and sustainable additives designed to enhance the functional properties of bitumen from a variety of global sources. For example, PGXpand®, a bitumen friendly polymeric additive, enhances high-temperature performance without impacting low-temperature properties. NuMIXER®, a blend of green bio-oils, can help manage the properties of the binder including viscosity, failure resistance, and fatigue resistance.
Watch the complete presentation of “Impact of Changes in Crude Oil Refining on Bitumen” to learn more.
