TITLE OF THE PROJECT: Valorization of biomass from the Tarragona area for the obtention of high-added value products: asphalt pavement.

SCHEME OF THE PROJECT:

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:

• Extract the lignin fraction from the lignocellulosic biomass residues of the Tarragona area (almond and hazelnut shells).
• Use fractions of lignin, obtained from biomass waste, as bitumen in the preparation of asphalt. To evaluate the replacement of a conventional binder (bitumen) with lignin fractions obtained from biomass, it is intended to make samples similar to the real ones manufactured using a type of hot bituminous mixture widely used in Catalonia as the AC family mixtures.
• Optimize the conditions for the preparation of asphalt. Different lignin / bitumen substitution ratios will be prepared to study their compatibility with conventional bitumen.