Gilsonite is a valuable resource with a pivotal role in the road construction and insulation industries worldwide. It is found in various parts of the world, including the United States and, notably, Iran. While Gilsonite deposits exist in other regions of Iran, the primary production center is Kermanshah.
The utilization of bitumen in the oil, gas, construction, and casting sectors highlights the importance of Gilsonite production in our country. Iran stands out as a global leader in both the production and distribution of this indispensable product. BituPlus, a prominent Gilsonite producer in Iran, plays a substantial role in driving the industry’s growth.
Gilsonite: A Versatile Natural Resource
Gilsonite, also known as Natural Asphalt or Natural Bitumen, goes by various names such as Uintahite or Asphaltum. It’s a bitumen-impregnated rock, or Asphaltite, primarily originating from Utah and Colorado in the United States and the Kermanshah province in Iran. This naturally occurring solid hydrocarbon bitumen is a unique and valuable material.
While Gilsonite deposits have been found in several regions worldwide, the most significant production takes place in Kermanshah, Iran.
Applications Across Industries
Gilsonite, or Uintahite, is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon resin known for enhancing the performance of critical applications in various industries, including but not limited to oil and gas, ink, paint, construction, asphalt, and foundry.
Mining and Historical Significance
Gilsonite ore is extracted from underground shafts and bears a resemblance to shiny black obsidian. It was initially discovered in the 1860s, and Samuel H. Gilson later promoted it for use in varnishes, electrical insulation, and waterproofing compounds.
Versatile Applications
This unique mineral finds its way into over 160 different products, ranging from dark-colored printing inks and paints to oil well drilling mud, cements, asphalt modifiers, foundry sand additives, and various chemical products. Gilsonite, often referred to as Natural Asphalt, Asphaltite, Uintahite, or Asphaltum, shares similarities with hard petroleum asphalt. It is soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents and petroleum asphalt. Thanks to its exceptional compatibility, Gilsonite is frequently used to strengthen softer petroleum products. In its natural form, Gilsonite is a shiny, black material similar to the mineral obsidian and can be easily crushed into a dark brown powder. When added to asphalt cement or hot mix asphalt, Gilsonite significantly enhances the stability of paving mixes.
Bitumen in Various Industries
Bitumen, including Gilsonite, has numerous applications across different industries. These applications are tailored to the specific needs of each industry, whether using raw materials or processed bitumen.
Bitumen sources include bitumen mines or gilsonite, which is why it’s often referred to as bitumen. It can be found in auxiliary mines in several countries, including Iraq, Australia, Russia, Canada, and Venezuela.
Iran is also home to substantial bitumen and Gilsonite mines, primarily located in the western and southern parts of the country. Cities like Ilam, Kermanshah, and Khuzestan host Gilsonite mines in Iran.
Bitumen or Gilsonite Solid possesses a range of unique properties, which we will briefly explore below.
The History of Gilsonite (Natural Asphalt or Natural Bitumen)
The mineral known as Gilsonite, also referred to as Natural Asphalt or Natural Bitumen, was initially discovered in the early 1860s. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1880s that Samuel H. Gilson began promoting its use as a water-resistant varnish for wooden pilings, an insulation material for wire cables, and a unique coating for various applications. The initial promotion of this mineral was highly successful, leading to the establishment of the first company to mine and market Gilsonite (Natural Asphalt) on a larger scale in 1888.
At first, Gilsonite was categorized into “Selects” and “Fines.” “Selects” referred to the low softening point ore with a conchoidal fracture, while “Fines” described the higher softening point ore with a penciled structure. “Selects” held a higher value due to their greater purity, good solubility, and effectiveness in three major protective coating industries: paint, stain, and varnish. However, advancements in technology and refining processes have led to changes in this classification. Modern Natural Bitumen processing techniques remove most of the inert impurities, and the use of innovative, more potent solvents has made the higher softening point grades more appealing to potential customers.
Today, Gilsonite is categorized based on two key parameters: softening point (which provides a rough measure of solubility) and particle size. All grades of Gilsonite offer superior quality compared to the rudimentary Gilsonite marketed in the 1880s.
Exceptional Properties of Gilsonite
Natural Gilsonite is inherently superior and possesses safety and non-toxic qualities. It consists of a highly pure resinous rock composed of various hydrocarbons. This unique natural composition, rich in nitrogen and beta-carotenes, serves as an incredibly efficient, versatile, and cost-effective additive for numerous industrial applications.
The History of Gilsonite (Natural Asphalt or Natural Bitumen)
The mineral known as Gilsonite (Natural Asphalt or Natural Bitumen) was first discovered in the early 1860s. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1880s that Samuel H. Gilson began to champion its use as a water-resistant varnish for wooden pilings, insulation for wire cables, and a unique coating for various applications. The initial promotion of this mineral was so successful that in 1888, Gilson, along with a partner, established the first company to mine and market Gilsonite (Natural Asphalt) on a larger scale.
Initially, Gilsonite was categorized into “Selects” and “Fines.” “Selects” referred to the low softening point ore with a conchoidal fracture, while “Fines” described the higher softening point ore with a penciled structure. “Selects” commanded a higher value due to their greater purity, good solubility, and effectiveness in the three primary protective coating industries: paint, stain, and varnish. However, advancements in technology and refining processes have led to changes in this classification. Modern Natural Bitumen processing techniques remove most of the inert impurities, and the use of innovative, more potent solvents has made the higher softening point grades more appealing to potential customers.
Today, Gilsonite is classified based on two key parameters: softening point (a rough measure of solubility) and particle size. All grades of Gilsonite offer superior quality compared to the rudimentary Gilsonite marketed in the 1880s.
Exceptional Properties of Gilsonite
Natural Gilsonite is inherently superior and possesses safety and non-toxic qualities. It consists of a highly pure resinous rock composed of various hydrocarbons. This unique natural combination, rich in nitrogen and beta-carotenes, serves as an incredibly efficient, versatile, and cost-effective additive for numerous industrial applications.
Gilsonite offers significant health benefits over synthetic products, as it is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and non-mutagenic. Handling Gilsonite does not require extreme safety measures, and it meets Gulf of Mexico EPA discharge requirements for deep-water operations.
Purity and Quality
Gilsonite is found in almost straight, vertical veins across an area roughly 100 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide. It was formed through a unique geological event millions of years ago, sealing large surface cracks and later hardening into the pure resinous rock extracted today. Natural Bitumen is hand-mined in underground shafts using pneumatic jackhammers. Gilsonite is classified by temperature grade, undergoes dry screening and sizing to customer specifications, and is subject to extensive quality control measures before being shipped to over 80 countries for various applications.
Gilsonite Applications Across Industries
Gilsonite finds applications in various industries, including:
- As Fuel: After processing into coke, Gilsonite serves as a high-purity fuel with low ash content.
- Insulated Coatings: Its excellent insulating properties make Gilsonite suitable for moisture-resistant coatings, protecting components in industrial installations from corrosion.
- Oil and Gas Industry: Gilsonite is used to produce coatings for oil and gas pipelines, combating corrosion and rust, which can result in substantial annual costs if not addressed.
- Road Construction: Gilsonite, in its natural form, is a primary raw material for the road construction industry, offering cost-effective advantages.
- Other Applications: Gilsonite also finds use in the production of drilling cement, adhesives, sealants, and various chemical products when processed correctly.