Gilsonite Powder

Gilsonite usage

Applications and Gilsonite usage can be classified as follows:

Gilsonite usage in road construction and asphalt preparation

In road construction and asphalt preparation Gilsonite is used to increase the strength of asphalt against traffic and load, prevent deformation in hot weather  and crack at low temperatures and also reduce the effects of moisture in the asphalt mixture. This mineral is a suitable modifier for refinery bitumens due to its polymeric hydrocarbon material. The resistance of this mineral against acid and base and insolubility in water has caused it to be generally used in the preparation of asphalt and waterproofing insulation.

Technical Specification of Gilsonite

Properties	Unit		Standard				Reference
High Purity				Low Purity
Appearance	–		Black/ brown dust / Powder		Black/ brown dust / Powder		–
Odor	–		Hydrocarbon		Hydrocarbon		–
Specific Gravity (H2O =1)@ 25	–		1.04-1.06		1.04-1.06		ASTM D3289
Moisture-	Wt %		Max. 1.5%		Max. 1.5%		ASTM D3173
Solubility	–		Insoluble in water		Insoluble in water		–
Particle Size	Wt %		200 – 325 Mesh >90%		200 – 325 Mesh >90%		–
Softening Point	°F		440		380		ASTM D36
Loss on Ignition	Wt %		99		99		ASTM D7348
Carbon	Wt %		84		84		ASTM D5291
Sulfur	Wt %		0.5		0.5		–
Ash	Wt %		Max. 5		Max.10		ASTM D3174

 

Advantage of Gilsonite

Gilsonite is a substance extracted from nature, so unlike many polymers, it is environmentally friendly. In particular, it has a significant advantage over other polymers in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Gilsonite mines in Iran

Areas with Gilsonite in Iran are mainly located in Kermanshah-Ilam provinces (especially Gilangharb city), Khuzestan and in some other areas such as Yazd have been observed to a limited extent. The existence of these vast areas demonstrates huge reserves of this product and the high capability of supplying Gilsonite in Iran. The geographical strip, where Iran’s Gilsonite supply mines are located, reaches Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkish Kurdistan, crossing the country’s borders.

Types of Iranian Gilsonite

Gilsonite originates from crude oil, which is formed after the gradual evaporation of light materials under the influence of four factors: time, heat, pressure, and special reactions. Main reactions in the production process are oxidation, sulfurization, polymerization and condensation.
The product quality of these processes varies according to the type of reactions performed and the duration of the reactions (life of bitumen). So that bitumen is observed with liquid, semi-solid and hard physical states. Most of the Iran Gilsonites are long-lived, but in general they can be divided into two general categories:

Relatively pure bitumen

This category is usually found in liquid and semi-solid form with less than 10% minerals. They also have a relatively large amount of volatiles. Examples of this type of Gilsonite (which the exact amount is not available) can be found in Khuzestan province. Their melting point is usually less than 300’F and their degree of penetration (Penetration) varies from 10 in terms of 0.1mm to very soft. Volatiles are less than 7% at 325F for 5 hours and up to 20% at 400F for 5 hours. Their solubility in CS2 is generally more than 90% and their values ​​of C, H, N and S are about 82, 11, 2 and 2% by weight, respectively.

Asphaltic Pyrobitomans

These Gilsonites are mostly with high melting points or non-melting point. They also include different groups such as elatrite, wortzlite, albertite, Impezonite. Most of the Gilsonite found in the west and southwest of Iran belong to the category of asphaltic and probiotic albertite and Impezonite. These compounds are non-melting and have a long life. These bitumens are depolymerized due to proper heat and sufficient mixing time and their solubility in CS2 solvent increases.

History of Gilsonite

Samuel H. Gilson discovered Gilsonite in the early 1860s. Gilson, who worked in one of Iran’s oil regions, introduced this substance. Although this substance was discovered before him, he did a lot of research to process this product and tried to to use this substance for other applications. He first used this material to insulate wire cables and electrical insulation in general, as well as a coating for wooden pilings. He founded a company specializing in this field. Eventually, his promotional activities in the commercialization of this product led to this naming.