Gilsonite or Asphaltum is a natural asphalt resinous hydrocarbon found in southern Turkey on 1930. This natural asphaltite is a hard Hydrocarbon and is often called a natural asphalt, asphaltite, uintaite, or asphaltum. Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents, as well as petroleum asphalt. Due to its unique compatibility, what is Gilsonite is frequent question for somebody who does not know about this unique material. It is used to harden softer petroleum products.
Gilsonite in mass is a shiny, black substance similar in appearance to the mineral obsidian. It is brittle and can be easily crushed into a dark brown powder. It is found below the earth’s surface in vertical veins or seams that are generally between 60cm and 180cm in width, but can be as wide as 850cm. The veins are nearly parallel to each other and are oriented in a northwest to southeast direction. They extend many miles in length and as deep as 45m. 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, it 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.
The mineral now known as “Gilsonite” or Asphaltum was discovered in the early 1860’s, but it was not until the mid-1880’s that Samuel H. Gilson began to promote it as a waterproof coating for wooden pilings, as an insulation for wire cable, and as a unique varnish. Gilson’s promotion of the ore was so successful that, in 1888, he and a partner formed the first company to mine and market on a commercial scale. Originally, it was sold as “Selects” and “Fines”; the low softening point ore with conchoidal fracture was known as “Selects”. The higher softening point ore with a pencillated structure was known as “Fines”. Selects commanded a higher price than Fines because of its better purity, good solubility, and usefulness in the paint, stain, and varnish industries. Time and technology have changed this classification system. Processing now removes most of the inert contaminants and newer, more powerful, solvents make the higher softening point grades more interesting to the user. Today, it is graded by softening point (a rough measure of solubility) and particle size. All grades carry a degree of quality far superior to those first small amounts marketed in the 1880’s.
Gilsonite is compatible with Microcrystalline and Paraffin Waxes, Petroleum Resins and Oils, Rosins, Tall Oil Pitch, Vegetable Oils (Linseed, Soya, etc.), Petroleum Process Oils, and Petroleum Asphalts.
The following is a general guide to the compatibility of its resin in common film-forming and elastomeric systems. Because it is compatibility can be influenced by variations within a resin/elastomer class and by other components in a formulation, it is good practice to verify ( Gilsonite ) compatibility in the specific formula of interest.
Natural asphalt powder and lump supplier
Natural asphalt is derived from the natural mutation of petroleum. This mutation happened a million years again under the influence of bacteria. This bacterial decomposition of petroleum resulted in reduce content of saturated hydrocarbons, mainly n-alkalenes and light oil which became heavier and more viscous, taking the form of asphalt. It is natural product a bituminous limestone in which carbonate of lime and pure natural asphalt are most intimately combined by natural agency. It is as bitumen created in the process of crude oil processing. It is native substances of variable color, hardness and volatility, composed principally of the elements carbon and hydrogen and sometimes associated with mineral matter and essentially free of gas. It is largely soluble in carbon disulfide. It is actually semisolid or solid mixture of hydrocarbon and as much as 50% heterocyclic compounds constituted largely of carbon and hydrogen but having substitutes of sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen and trade metal, specially iron, nickel and vanadium in the carbon network.
The best known source of the product is Kermanshah and Ilam where has found since 1950.The product was first used as material for waterproofing of boats and bowls. Later when the first asphalt pavements were constructed, it was used as he binder for asphalt mixture. It is stiffer than refined bitumen and its softening point is also higher. This special additive is more ecological way of improving asphalt properties than using other additives.
Natural asphalt together with a continue layer or in three ply with two layer of a water proof and permanently natural asphalt cement. It is surface coated after it is laid on the roof with very durable liquid asphalt. The best advantage is saturating and cementing together with felt and surface. Application of the material and petroleum seepages goes back to ancient times, when people in southwest of Turkey used these for fuel and medication purpose. In ancient Egypt these materials were also used in mummifications. It is a product of crude oil and forms as it migrates toward the ground surface, this material is using as industrial material now.
Natural asphalt in drilling fluid
Natural asphalt and other asphaltic type materials penetrate shale pore spaces as a drill bit penetrates a formation. It is assumed that a plastic-flow mechanism will allow the asphaltite to extend into the pores of the shale, thus, reducing fluid loss or mud invasion with a tendency to bond the shale and prevent sloughing.
Optimizes lubrication, especially at higher temperatures.
Inhibits hydration of the clay fraction in shale and claystone.
Reduces wellbore damage, especially vibration induced formation damage resulting from the stick-slip phenomenon.
Packing of natural asphalt
It is packed in 25Kg or 50LBS multi paper bag on pallet shrinked wrapped or 500Kg/1000Kg super bag.
20 pallets per container. Each pallet of natural asphalt contained 34 bag.In case stuffing jumbo bag we can stuff 20 jumbo bag per container.
