ABSTRACT
Asphalt paving mix processes are broadly divided into two kinds: “hot mix” processes and “cold mix” processes. The “cold mix” plants use either cutback asphalt or asphalt emulsion. Because of the limitations on using cutback asphalt paving mix, it is not considered as a method of incorporation for petroleum contaminated soil. Under the federal statute and in many states, petroleum contaminated soil is a solid waste, and incorporation into bituminous paving is considered recycling of a solid waste and recycled as such. In those jurisdictions the primary regulatory concern is air quality requirements. The recycling of petroleum contaminated soil by incorporation in bituminous concrete has proved to be a viable and economic process in the New England states. Several facilities using both the hot and cold mix processes have operated successfully without significant environmental problems. There have also been successful examples of onsite processing of soils at major sites.
