# Methodology for Efficient Bitumen Storage with Reduced Energy Consumption
###### Abstract
The pressure-ageing vessel (PAV) test consists of ageing 3.2 mm thick bitumen films at 100 \({}^{\circ}\)C for 20 h under an air pressure of 2.07 MPa. In these conditions, the PAV test should be preceded by the RTFOT test, although it was found that if the PAV test is conducted for 25 h, the result is equivalent to 75 min RTFOT + 20 h of PAV [9,10]. Ultraviolet (UV) ageing has been simulated in different ways that make comparing the results difficult. Although most studies agree on using a 500 W lamp for various short-term ageing simulations, there are differences in terms of the intensities employed, the thickness of the film of bitumen, and the conditioning of the samples. There are also variations in the intensity of radiation employed that can range between 450 and 1200 \(\upmu\)W/cm\({}^{2}\). As in the case of the PAV test, bitumen samples undergo RTFOT before exposing them to UV ageing [9]. The Viennese binder ageing (VBA) method is the newest ageing simulation method; it was created in 2020 by [PERSON] et al. [11]. The VBA considers the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in the atmosphere and near the pavement surface; it incorporates two ROS (O3 and NOX) into its ageing atmosphere. The entire world is working towards moderating energy consumption in industries, with the main purpose of economic gain. Fortunately, with this pure economic vision comes a noticeable decrease in the emissions from combustion systems; hence, a benefit on the environmental level. In the last decade, there has been a broad trend in industries towards renewable energies. The bitumen industry is not an exception to that; many studies have been realized to evaluate using solar energy and wind energy in bitumen heating systems. Regrettably, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are still an unexplored area in the bitumen industry. These are a clean, efficient, and low-cost source of energy [12]. Fuel cells convert the chemical energy of a fuel gas directly into electrical energy and heat [13]. Hopefully, we will soon be able to see studies on the use of SOFCs in the heating process of bitumen. In 2008, [PERSON] et al. [14] studied solar energy usage in passive mode to preheat D80/100-type bitumen up to 55 \({}^{\circ}\)C per day and achieved an increment in this temperature to 63 \({}^{\circ}\)C. In 2018, [PERSON] et al. [15] sized a PV-wind-based hybrid system that could be used to supply electrical load demands, to maintain a constant storage temperature of bitumen by compensating the thermal losses of bitumen tank through an immersed electrical heater. In2020, [PERSON] et al. [16] worked on the optimization of thermal energy management of a solar thermal energy system for bitumen maintaining on process heat. It is a promising substitute to fossil energy, but unfortunately, the whole system costs more than a fuel heater. This is why new methods to optimize energy consumption during bitumen storage while using fossil energy are needed. In 2018, [PERSON] et al. [17] worked on the optimization of 60/70 paving grade bitumen's mixing temperature using polyurethane foam (PUF) and plastic waste (PW) as modifiers. They found that the use of 40 wt.% PUF resulted in a decrease in mixing temperature from 170 \({}^{\circ}\)C to 135 \({}^{\circ}\)C, which enabled a fuel saving of up to 33%. However, the use of more than 10 wt.% PW compromised the binder's characteristics. Hence, the purpose of this work is to study the feasibility of two different bitumen storage methods that do not require fossil energy replacement nor binder modification. Moreover, the aim was to determine the best method amongst them based on a combination of the energetic profit and the impact on bitumen's properties and quality. The first storage method is based on creating multiple downtimes throughout the storage period. To do so, we used thermal fluctuations to create a dynamic regime of heating.