Controlling asphalt aging by inclusion of byproducts from red wine industry

Worldwide around 95% of pavements contain Asphalt Binder (AB). Mainly, due to oxidation process, asphalt hardens and increases the pavement susceptibility to cracking. On the other hand, wine industry generates almost ten million tons of grape pomace residues per year. This byproduct is rich in antioxidants (ORAC 650 mu mol TE/g). The aim of the present work was to determine the antioxidant potential of grape pomace from Cabernet Sauvignon in AB to control the asphalt age hardening. To evaluate the performance of the antioxidant, samples were aged according to SUPERPAVE standards (RTFOT and PAV) and physical, chemical, and rheological properties were analyzed. For samples with 10% pomace, the increase in viscosity at 60 degrees C and fatigue factor after PAV aging decreased by 19% and 14% respectively. An increase of 23% of m-value was also observed. These results strongly suggest that grape pomace is a suitable alternative as antioxidant for AB to reduce age hardening. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.