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Test Methods and Specifications

Cover of Emissions Analysis and Characterisation of Asphalt Mixes
Emissions Analysis and Characterisation of Asphalt Mixes
  • Publication no: ATM-241-25
  • Published: 9 May 2025
  • Edition: 1.0

This test method sets out the laboratory procedure for determining the total emissions released during heating of asphalt mixes.

This test method can be applied to any type of asphalt mix used for road paving applications.

This test method describes a procedure for measuring the total emissions released during heating of asphalt mixes at high temperature, hence simulating road paving operations. Emissions are captured utilising air sampling through sorbent tubes. Laboratory-generated fumes are produced from samples of asphalt mixes. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total particulate matter (TPM) are extracted via solvent extraction from the sorbent and filter contents. The recovered solution is then analysed using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer to determine the total emissions.

This test method can also be downloaded as a Word document.

  • 1. Preface
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. References
  • 4. Scope and Application
  • 5. Safety
    • 5.1 Hot Bitumen
    • 5.2 Solvents and Reagents
    • 5.3 Collected Samples
  • 6. Solvent and Reagents
    • 6.1 Solvents
    • 6.2 Standards
      • 6.2.1 Calibration Standards
      • 6.2.2 Internal Standards (IS)
  • 7. Equipment and Supplies
    • 7.1 Laboratory-generated Asphalt Fumes
    • 7.2 Clean Up/Sample Clean Up
    • 7.3 Sample Collection
    • 7.4 Sample Extraction
    • 7.5 GC/MS Sample Analysis
  • 8. Procedure
    • 8.1 Sample Collection, Preservation and Storage
      • 8.1.1 Preparation of Air Sampling Pumps
      • 8.1.2 Preparation of Asphalt Samples
      • 8.1.3 Sample Collection
      • 8.1.4 Sample Preservation and Storage
    • 8.2 Sample Preparation and Extraction
      • 8.2.1 PAH Sample Extraction
      • 8.2.2 VOC Sample Extraction
    • 8.3 Calibration of GC/MS
      • 8.3.1 Internal Standard Solution
      • 8.3.2 Calibration Standards
      • 8.3.3 GC/MS Operating Conditions
      • 8.3.4 Identifying Analytes
      • 8.3.5 Quantification
  • 9. Quality Control
    • 9.1 GC System
    • 9.2 Blanks
  • 10. Reporting
  • Appendix A Experimental Setup
  • Amendment Record
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