Sylvie Willis
Diesel fuel has been used as an asphalt release agent in the paving industry for decades. However, it has recently been discovered that diesel fuel can damage asphalt. When diesel fuel is spilled on asphalt, it acts as a solvent, breaking down the bitumen and stripping it from the aggregate. This causes the asphalt to soften and can lead to permanent damage, such as potholes. The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent is also illegal, with contractors facing fines if they are found to be using it. As a result, many companies are now turning to alternative products, such as PavePro, which is engineered for paving and does not cause the same issues as diesel fuel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effect on asphalt | Dissolves and dilutes asphalt cement, causing permanent damage |
| Biodegradability | Does not biodegrade, remains in asphalt for months, breaking it down |
| Legality | Forbidden by The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, The Clean Water Act of 1972, and The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act |
| Alternatives | PavePro, which is biodegradable and uses a smaller amount of product |
| Stain | Causes deep brown stains |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is a stripping agent
When diesel fuel is spilled on asphalt, it is absorbed by the petroleum, lowering its freezing point and causing the asphalt to become soft. This softening of the asphalt can result in a loss of strength, leading to material failure and the creation of potholes. The damage caused by diesel fuel is permanent and cannot be repaired by simply patching the affected area. The only effective solution is to completely remove and replace the damaged asphalt.
The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent is illegal in many places due to its environmental impact. Legislation such as the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act prohibit the use of diesel fuel as a release agent and impose hefty fines on contractors found in violation.
In addition to its legal and environmental concerns, diesel fuel is not an ideal choice for an asphalt release agent due to its long biodegradation time. Diesel fuel can linger in the asphalt for months, continuously breaking down the binders and weakening the pavement. This can result in a shortened lifespan of the pavement and increased maintenance costs.
Alternative products, such as PavePro, offer a superior solution by being specifically engineered for paving applications. These alternatives are biodegradable, effective in smaller quantities, and do not negatively impact the integrity of the asphalt mix or pavement. They provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option that outperforms diesel fuel in terms of performance and regulatory compliance.
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Diesel doesn't biodegrade
Diesel fuel has been the paving industry's gold standard as an asphalt release agent for decades. However, it has some drawbacks that are pushing companies to switch to alternatives. One of the main drawbacks is that diesel doesn't biodegrade.
Diesel fuel contains 2000 to 4000 hydrocarbons, a complex mixture of normal, branched, and cyclic alkanes, and aromatic compounds. These compounds are characterized by their high vapour pressure and aqueous water solubility. While some of these compounds are more susceptible to biodegradation, such as benzene and toluene, others, like ethylbenzene and xylenes, are more resistant and can persist in the environment for long periods.
The non-biodegradability of diesel fuel becomes a problem when it is used as an asphalt release agent. When diesel fuel gets into the asphalt, it starts to break down the oils in the mix. This process can take up to three months, during which the diesel fuel eats through the asphalt, disintegrating it and shortening the lifespan of the pavement. By the time the diesel fuel has biodegraded, the damage to the asphalt is already done.
The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent is not only illegal but also detrimental to the final product. Customers do not want their pavement to fail sooner than it should. Therefore, companies that care about their reputation and the quality of their work are switching to alternative products, such as PavePro, which is biodegradable, water-deactivated, long-lasting, and safe for the mix and the environment.
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Diesel causes permanent damage to asphalt
Diesel fuel causes permanent damage to asphalt. When diesel fuel is spilled on asphalt, it is absorbed by the petroleum, lowering its freezing point and making the asphalt soft. The damage is irreversible as the characteristics of the affected asphalt cement are permanently altered, resulting in a loss of strength that leads to the pavement's failure and the formation of potholes. The only way to fix this is to cut out and replace the affected area.
Asphalt cement, which acts as a binder in asphalt surfaces, is a heavy petroleum product. It can be easily dissolved and diluted when exposed to lighter petroleum oils, such as diesel fuel. This process of dissolution and dilution is what leads to the softening and deterioration of the asphalt.
Diesel fuel's solvency properties are the root cause of its detrimental effect on asphalt. As a stripping agent, diesel fuel breaks down and strips bitumen from the aggregate. Bitumen is essential for binding the stones together to form asphalt. Therefore, when diesel fuel is used as an asphalt release agent during paving, it not only cleans the asphalt off equipment but also starts to break down the oils in the asphalt mix. This breakdown of oils can lead to the disintegration of the asphalt and a reduction in the pavement's lifespan.
Furthermore, diesel fuel's non-biodegradability contributes to its damaging effects on asphalt. Unlike alternative products like PavePro, which biodegrades within five days, diesel fuel can linger in the asphalt for months. During this extended period, it continues to break down binders and weaken the asphalt structure. This prolonged exposure to diesel fuel can result in significant damage to the pavement.
The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent is not only detrimental to the asphalt but also poses legal risks. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, The Clean Water Act of 1972, and The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act prohibit contractors from using diesel fuel for this purpose, with violations resulting in substantial fines.
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Diesel is no longer considered a legal release agent
Diesel fuel has been the paving industry's gold standard as an asphalt release agent for decades. However, it is now illegal to use diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent under multiple federal laws.
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act all forbid contractors from using diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent. These acts impose hefty fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars for contractors found in violation.
The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent poses several drawbacks. Firstly, diesel fuel does not biodegrade, and it slowly breaks down the asphalt over time. Secondly, diesel fuel can linger in the asphalt for months, breaking down binders and weakening the pavement. This can lead to permanent damage, requiring costly repairs.
PavePro, a biodegradable and eco-friendly alternative, is now recommended as a superior replacement for diesel fuel. It biodegrades within five days, ensuring clean tools and a minimal impact on the environment. Additionally, PavePro is safer for workers, as it has a high flash point and is non-flammable, non-toxic, and non-hazardous.
With the legal and environmental concerns associated with diesel fuel, as well as the availability of superior alternatives, it is clear that diesel is no longer a viable option as an asphalt release agent.
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Alternatives to diesel fuel
Diesel fuel has been the paving industry's gold standard as an asphalt release agent for decades. However, it poses several drawbacks that have pushed companies to seek alternatives. Diesel fuel is a stripping agent that breaks down the bitumen and strips it from the aggregate. It also does not biodegrade, causing it to linger in the asphalt for months, weakening the pavement.
One alternative to diesel fuel is PavePro, an asphalt release agent designed to outperform diesel and other asphalt products on the market. PavePro is 100% biodegradable and does so 18 times faster than its competitors. It also requires a significantly smaller amount of product to be used, resulting in less product within the freshly laid pavement.
Another alternative to diesel fuel is the use of renewable and alternative fuels, such as biomass and syn gas, which can be converted into renewable fuel through various processes. These fuels can be used as drop-in replacements for diesel fuel and offer benefits such as a reduced carbon footprint, high cetane numbers, and the ability to reduce emissions of certain products of incomplete combustion, such as unburned hydrocarbons (UHC), soot, and carbon monoxide (CO).
For older diesel engines, vegetable oil, biodiesel (refined vegetable oil), and black diesel (recycled motor oil) are also popular alternatives. However, it is important to note that these alternatives require additional work and storage. Additionally, using recycled cooking oil in diesel engines can ruin the fuel systems if not properly filtered and processed.
Overall, while diesel fuel has been a commonly used asphalt release agent, alternatives such as PavePro and renewable and alternative fuels offer improved performance, biodegradability, and reduced environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, diesel fuel acts as a solvent and can degrade the bitumen in asphalt, causing permanent damage.
Diesel fuel gets absorbed by the asphalt, lowering its freezing point and making it soft. This causes the asphalt to disintegrate and creates potholes.
Diesel fuel can take up to 3 months to biodegrade, during which time it continues to break down the asphalt.
Yes, products like PavePro are biodegradable, more effective, and compliant with environmental regulations.
Use an oil dry product to soak up the spill, then wash the area with a degreaser and water. You may need to repair soft or damaged asphalt by cutting it out and replacing it with a cold patch.
