Gilsonite

 

Gilsonite (Natural Asphalt) Definition

Gilsonite is a naturally occurring glossy black asphaltic, solid hydrocarbon resin with a low specific gravity. It occurs in its very pure natural state in a mineral called Uintaite. Gilsonite, or Natural Asphalt is a natural, resinous hydrocarbon found in northeastern Utah. Natural Asphalt is a unique natural hydrocarbon high in asphaltenes and nitrogen compounds so it is a granular solid that is fully compatible with bitumen. It can be melted into hot bitumen, added during the hot-mix manufacturing process, or blended into a preservation treatment.

This natural asphalt is similar to a hard petroleum asphalt so it’s other names are natural asphalt, asphaltite, uintaite, or asphaltum. Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents, as well as petroleum asphalt. Due to its unique compatibility, natural asphalt is frequently used to harden softer petroleum products. natural asphalt in mass is a shiny, black substance similar in appearance to the mineral obsidian. It is brittle and it can easily crush into a dark brown powder.

Gilsonite is below the earth’s surface in vertical veins or seams that are generally between two and six feet in width but also can be as wide as 28 feet. The veins are nearly parallel to each other and they are in orient-shape in a northwest to southeast direction. They extend many miles in length and as deep as 1500 feet.  The vein will show up on the surface as a thin outcropping and gradually widen as it goes deeper. Due to the narrow mining face, natural asphalt is mined today, much like it was 50 or 100 years ago. The primary difference is that modern miners use pneumatic chipping hammers and mechanical hoists.

Gilsonite (Natural Bitumen) Applications

Gilsonite, also known as natural bitumen or asphaltite, is a naturally occurring solid hydrocarbon. Its unique properties, such as high carbon content, thermal stability, and ability to improve hardness, make it useful in various industries. Here are the primary applications of Gilsonite:

1. Oil and Gas Drilling
   Drilling Fluids: Gilsonite is commonly used as a key component in oil-based drilling fluids and mud. It helps control fluid loss, stabilize shale formations, and seal permeable formations.
   Cementing: In well cementing, Gilsonite is added to cement slurries to reduce fluid loss, improve the strength of the cement, and create a more flexible cement structure to prevent cracking.
2. Asphalt and Road Paving
   Asphalt Modifier: Gilsonite is used as a performance-enhancing additive in asphalt mixes for road paving. It improves the hardness, stability, and resistance to deformation of the asphalt, increasing the road’s lifespan.
   Crack Sealants: Its sealing properties make it effective in crack sealants and road repair products, preventing water infiltration and extending the life of paved surfaces.
3. Ink and Paint Industry
   Ink Formulation: Gilsonite is used in printing inks, especially for black ink production, due to its ability to produce high-quality, glossy, and fast-drying inks.
   Paint and Coatings: It serves as a resin or binder in protective coatings and paints, providing weather resistance and improving the durability of the coatings in outdoor environments.
4. Foundry Industry
   Foundry Sands: Gilsonite is added to foundry sands in the metal casting process. It helps improve mold strength, prevents gas formation during casting, and enhances surface finish quality.
   Carbon Additive: In foundries, Gilsonite can also be used as a carbon additive to increase carbon content in the molten metal.
5. Chemical Industry
   Adhesives and Sealants: Gilsonite is used in the formulation of adhesives and sealants to improve binding strength, flexibility, and water resistance.
   Rubber Production: In the rubber industry, it enhances the durability, heat resistance, and overall performance of rubber products such as tires, gaskets, and hoses.
6. Construction Materials
   Waterproofing: Gilsonite is applied in waterproofing membranes for construction, roofing, and building foundations due to its impermeability and excellent adhesion to various surfaces.
   Concrete Additive: It can be used in concrete mixes to enhance water resistance, abrasion resistance, and durability.
7. Friction Materials
   Brake Pads and Clutches: Gilsonite is used in the manufacturing of friction materials like brake pads and clutches. It helps to improve friction performance, heat resistance, and durability in automotive and industrial applications.
8. Agricultural Applications
   Fertilizers: Gilsonite is sometimes used as a binding agent in fertilizers to improve granulation and control the release of nutrients into the soil.
9. Electrical and Electronics Industry
   Insulating Materials: Gilsonite’s insulating properties make it useful in the production of electrical insulating materials and coatings for cables and other electrical components.
   Gilsonite’s versatility and effectiveness in improving performance, durability, and resistance make it a valuable resource across various industrial sectors.

Benefits of Natural Asphalt (Asphaltum)

Natural asphalt, also known as Gilsonite or bitumen, offers several benefits across various industries due to its unique chemical composition and properties. Here are some of the key benefits of natural asphalt:

1. Superior Binding Properties
   Strong Adhesion: Natural asphalt is an excellent binder, which makes it ideal for use in construction materials, such as asphalt for roads and roofing. It enhances the cohesiveness and strength of mixtures, providing a longer-lasting bond.
   Improves Durability: When mixed with other materials, it improves the durability and lifespan of products like asphalt pavements, ensuring resistance to cracking, rutting, and deformation under heavy loads and extreme weather.
2. Thermal Stability
   Heat Resistance: Natural asphalt has high thermal stability, meaning it can withstand high temperatures without breaking down. This makes it valuable in applications like road paving, where it needs to endure prolonged heat exposure from both the environment and vehicle traffic.
   Cold Tolerance: It also maintains its properties at lower temperatures, making it suitable for use in colder climates where materials are prone to cracking.
3. Waterproofing
   Excellent Water Resistance: One of the standout benefits of natural asphalt is its impermeability to water. This makes it highly effective in waterproofing applications, including roofing materials, underground structures, and roads, preventing water penetration and damage.
   Corrosion Prevention: Its water-resistant properties also protect materials from corrosion, making it useful in the coating of pipes and other materials exposed to moisture.
4. Cost-Effective
   Economic Material: Natural asphalt is abundant and relatively inexpensive to produce compared to synthetic alternatives. Its cost-effectiveness is particularly beneficial for large-scale projects like road construction, where large quantities are required.
   Lower Maintenance Costs: Materials made with natural asphalt tend to have longer lifespans and require less frequent maintenance, saving costs over time for infrastructure projects.
5. Environmental Benefits
   Natural Product: Being a naturally occurring material, asphalt is less processed compared to synthetic alternatives, reducing the overall carbon footprint during extraction and manufacturing.
   Recyclability: Asphalt can be recycled multiple times without losing its properties. This makes it an environmentally friendly option for road construction and repairs, as the material from old roads can be reused in new projects.
6. Improved Performance in Drilling
   Lost Circulation Control: In oil and gas drilling, natural asphalt is added to drilling fluids to seal porous formations and prevent the loss of drilling fluid into the surrounding rock. It’s particularly effective in stabilizing wellbores.
   Shale Stabilization: It helps to prevent the swelling and disintegration of shale formations during drilling, reducing downtime and enhancing drilling efficiency.
7. Enhanced Mechanical Properties
   Strength and Flexibility: When added to construction materials, natural asphalt enhances their mechanical strength while maintaining flexibility. This flexibility helps prevent cracking in materials exposed to stress and strain, such as roads or concrete structures.
   Impact Resistance: It increases the resistance of materials to impacts and heavy loads, making it ideal for high-traffic roads and industrial applications.
8. Chemical Resistance
   Resistant to Chemicals and Fuels: Natural asphalt has good resistance to chemicals, acids, and fuels, making it suitable for use in industrial coatings, sealants, and linings where exposure to harsh substances is common.
9. Friction and Wear Resistance
   Improved Traction: In the production of road materials, natural asphalt enhances the surface’s friction, providing better grip for vehicles and reducing accidents caused by slipping.
   Durability Against Wear: It also helps to reduce wear and tear on road surfaces, ensuring that highways and streets maintain their quality over time despite heavy traffic.
10. Versatility in Various Industries
    Diverse Applications: From road paving to protective coatings, adhesives, drilling fluids, and insulation, the versatility of natural asphalt makes it valuable in industries ranging from construction to energy, paint, and coatings.

ZUMRUT Gilsonite

ZUMRUT KIMYA Co, has 3 complete lines for producing micronized powder (Hammer mill, Alevators, 3 silos for feed storage, 3 separator mills, 3 bag filters and 3 automatic filling envelopes and all accessories), A unit of niches (850 square meters) for products Storage, 1800 square meters of niches (300-tonne floor concrete) for depot and primary feed storage (Gilsonite hollows), a laboratory unit equipped for quality analysis and control. The company also has forklift trucks for loading, palletizing and pallet packing systems and three 60 tons bunker screwdriver.

General Specification of Gilsonite

 

General Specification of Gilsonite