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WATER IN BITUMINOUS MATERIAL (DEAN-STARK) AZA0936
The AZA0936 Water in Bituminous Material (Dean–Stark) Apparatus from Azalab is a precision laboratory system designed for the accurate determination of water content in bituminous materials, including asphalt, road oils, cut-back asphalts, and related petroleum-based binders.
Water contamination in bitumen can significantly degrade material performance by causing poor adhesion to aggregates, stripping, foaming during mixing, and reduced pavement durability. Using the internationally accepted Dean–Stark azeotropic distillation method, the AZA0936 provides reliable, repeatable, and standard-compliant moisture determination, making it essential for quality control in road construction, civil engineering laboratories, and bitumen production facilities.
Description
Importance of Water Content Determination in Bitumen
Even small amounts of water in bituminous materials can lead to serious performance issues, including:
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Reduced bonding between binder and aggregate
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Increased susceptibility to stripping and moisture damage
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Inconsistent mixing and compaction during asphalt production
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Lower durability and premature pavement failure
The AZA0936 enables laboratories to accurately quantify water content, ensuring materials meet specification limits and performance requirements before use.
Principle of Operation – Dean–Stark Method
The Dean–Stark method is an azeotropic distillation technique that ensures complete separation and measurement of water present in bituminous samples.
Test Procedure Overview:
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Sample Preparation
A known mass of bituminous material is placed in a borosilicate distillation flask with a water-immiscible solvent such as xylene, toluene, or petroleum naphtha. -
Heating and Distillation
The mixture is heated, causing both solvent and water to vaporize. -
Condensation
Vapors pass through a water-cooled reflux condenser and condense into liquid form. -
Separation in Dean–Stark Trap
The condensate flows into a calibrated Dean–Stark trap where water (heavier) separates and settles at the bottom, while solvent (lighter) overflows and returns to the flask. -
Measurement
When distillation is complete, the collected water volume is read directly from the graduated trap and calculated as a percentage of the original sample.
This method ensures complete water recovery, delivering high accuracy and repeatability.
Key Features
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Standard Dean–Stark Distillation Method
Proven and globally accepted technique for moisture determination in bituminous materials. -
High-Quality Borosilicate Glassware
Resistant to thermal shock and chemical attack for long service life. -
Precision Graduated Trap
Allows direct and accurate reading of water volume with fine graduation resolution. -
Efficient Reflux Condenser
Ensures complete condensation and minimal solvent loss. -
Uniform Heating System
Electric heating mantle or hot plate provides controlled and stable distillation. -
Modular and Stable Assembly
Supplied with stands and clamps for safe and secure laboratory operation.
Standards Compliance
The AZA0936 is manufactured to comply with major international and national standards, including:
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ASTM D95 – Water in Petroleum Products and Bituminous Materials by Distillation
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EN 1428 – Determination of water content in bituminous binders
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AASHTO T55 – Water in Petroleum Products and Bituminous Materials
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IP 74
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IS 1448 (Part 53)
Compliance ensures results are globally recognized and specification-acceptable.
Applications
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Asphalt and bitumen testing laboratories
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Road construction and pavement QA/QC
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Bitumen manufacturing and processing plants
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Research and academic institutions
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Petroleum and materials testing labs
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | AZA0936 |
| Test Method | Dean–Stark (Azeotropic Distillation) |
| Primary Application | Water content in bituminous materials |
| Distillation Flask | Borosilicate glass, 500 ml or 1000 ml |
| Dean–Stark Trap | Graduated, typically 5 / 10 / 25 ml |
| Graduation Resolution | Typically 0.1 ml |
| Condenser | Water-cooled Liebig or West type |
| Heating System | Electric mantle or hot plate with regulator |
| Glassware Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Standards | ASTM D95, EN 1428, AASHTO T55 |
| Power Supply | 230V, 50/60 Hz (heater) |
| Design | Bench-mounted modular assembly |
| Country of Origin | India |
Standard Accessories Supplied
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Borosilicate round-bottom distillation flask
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Dean–Stark graduated receiver trap
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Water-cooled reflux condenser
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Electric heating mantle or hot plate
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Laboratory stand, clamps, and connectors
Why Choose AZA0936?
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Accurate and repeatable moisture determination
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Fully compliant with ASTM, EN, AASHTO, and IS standards
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Essential for preventing moisture-related asphalt failures
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Durable borosilicate construction for long-term use
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Trusted solution for bitumen quality control
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does AZA0936 measure?
It measures the water content present in bituminous materials using the Dean–Stark distillation method.
Q2: Why is water content testing important in bitumen?
Water negatively affects adhesion, durability, and performance of asphalt pavements.
Q3: Which standards does AZA0936 comply with?
ASTM D95, EN 1428, AASHTO T55, IP 74, and IS 1448 (Part 53).
Q4: What solvents are commonly used?
Xylene, toluene, or petroleum naphtha, as specified in the relevant standard.
Q5: Is the system manual or automatic?
The AZA0936 is a precision manual distillation system with controlled heating.
AZA0936 – Reliable Water Content Determination for High-Quality Bituminous Materials
Additional information
| Model |
AZA 0936 |
|---|---|
| Test Method |
Dean-Stark (Azeotropic Distillation) |
| Primary ApplicationDetermiMaterial (Glassware) |
High-quality Borosilicate Glass. |
| Power Supply (for heater) |
Typically 230V, 50/60 Hz, Single Phase (confirm specific model).nation of water content in bituminous materials. |
| Material (Glassware) |
High-quality Borosilicate Glass. |
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