By : Franyi Sarmiento, Ph.D., Inspenet, June 6, 2022
A team of researchers from the Tecnológico Nacional de México (TecNM) Ciudad Madero Campus, led by José Luis Rivera Armenta, a professor attached to the Postgraduate Studies and Research Division, are working on a research project for the processing of sagarzo particles and their use in asphalt mixtures.
The researcher highlights that the project was born in the Graduate Division, and that they seek to contribute to national strategies for the use and collection of this marine algae.
He points out that “throughout two years the team made up of teachers Beatriz Salazar Cruz and Cynthia Flores Hernández; Gabriel Hernández Zamora from the company Dynasol Elastomeros, as well as the graduates, Francisco Escobar Medina, Jessica García Castañeda, Jesús Aragón Vallejo and Samuel Zapién Castillo, have studied the characteristics and components of sargassum”.
He explains that the objective is to obtain millimeter particles for use in prototypes with asphalt mixtures, to present alternatives to the industry and investors dedicated to the paving and maintenance of roads.
It also highlights that one of the advantages presented by the study is the reduction of costs for the production of asphalt, since to produce it requires the use of synthetic products, which have a high production cost.
In this regard, Rivera Armenta emphasizes that, within laboratory tests, sargassum has presented softening problems, for which the team of researchers continues to study alternatives to improve thermal resistance and deformation, for which they have chosen to make composite materials. using small amounts of synthetics.
“One of the main challenges is finding the ideal compatibility to replace rubber, since the materials must have high thermal and deformation resistance, since their mission is to be used in high-temperature areas, which is why, derived from the characterizations carried out, we have obtained improvements”, points out the academic.
Regarding the production process, he comments that, it begins with the collection of the algae on the beaches, later they are washed to eliminate the salt particles, they are left to dry, to finally reduce the particles to 170 microns, since the smaller the the volume, a better modification can be achieved.
The next step would be to mix with the asphalt, which must reach a temperature of 160º, and through a mechanical agitation system, the sargassum particles are added until the necessary viscosity is achieved.
“The shaking process lasts one hour, then the modified asphalt is placed in molds, where thermal, rheological and resistance tests are carried out”, explains the scientist.
On the other hand, it emphasizes the importance of creating collaborative networks, with TecNM campuses located in the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán, with the purpose of consolidating the research work, seeking financing and achieving the creation of prototypes in a actual app.
“Among the main challenges facing the research, is to scale up, currently working at the laboratory level and to have tangible results we have to develop a pilot test, which will be achieved through the support and linking of asphalt producing companies” , emphasizes the researcher.
The research is currently published in two international research journals: Construction and Building Materials and Sustainability, an Austrian journal, as well as on JCR’s Clarivate science website.
Source : https://imagenagropecuaria.com/2022/estudian-sargazo-para-su-aprovechamiento-en-mezclas-de-asfalto/
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