Influence of activated charcoal in the enhancement of adsorbency of air pollutants emitted by vehicle exhausts in asphalt concrete

Abstract

Vehicle emissions are the pollutants produced by a car engine during the combustion process, which include nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and other air pollutants that are damaging to the environment and human health, particularly in urban areas. Since activated charcoal was proven effective in increasing the adsorption of harmful pollutants when mixed with concrete cement, this research aims to investigate if it has any effect on adsorbing other air pollutants when combined with asphalt concrete. For this study, the students made a prototype sealed chamber laid with a strip of asphalt concrete mixed with activated charcoal. The specimens were subjected to smoke emission tests to measure the air pollutants level, such as carbon monoxide. The researchers obtained the standard properties, compressive strength of asphalt concrete mixed with activated charcoal, and the reduction level of carbon monoxide when exposed to modified asphalt concrete. The result shows that adding activated charcoal to asphalt concrete would significantly enhance its absorbency in air pollutants such as carbon monoxide. This could be a potential way to combat or aid in lowering the number of harmful air pollutants caused by vehicle exhaust.