Industrial applications of gilsonite

Gilsonite is a superior additive for a wide variety of industrial applications.

Gilsonite is a component used in industrial sector applications in paint, ink, coating, asphalt, foundry, and construction. Areas of use change over time with developing technology and industrial needs.

It is extremely cost-effective, safe, and natural, and its availability for immediate delivery increases the frequency of preference for gilsonite.

It has different applications in industrial areas such as;

Road construction and asphalt
Roof insulation and isolation
Oil drilling as drilling mud and in cementing
Ink, paint, and coating purpose
In pipe coating

Gilsonite can also be combined with coal to produce Coke, which is used in different industries such as Foundry Sand, Glass Industry, and so on

Industrial applications of gilsonite powder

Gilsonite, also known as uintaite, natural asphalt, and asphaltite, is a natural, solid hydrocarbon resin found in various regions of the world. It is known as a black, shiny, and brittle material with a high carbon content and a unique chemical composition.

Gilsonite power, also commonly referred to as “Natural Asphalt Dust” or “Asphalt Powder”, is a naturally occurring solid hydrocarbon material obtained from the compression of organic materials over millions of years.

When using “Gilsonite powder” as an asphalt binder modifier, it is important to use high-quality products suitable for the intended application. The asphalt mix also needs to be designed and tested according to industry standards and best practices to ensure optimum performance and durability.

What is the difference between bitumen and gilsonite?

Bitumen refers to a collection of flammable, heavy hydrocarbon-based coupling compounds that are soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents.

Gilsonite is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon that is brittle, shiny, and can become quite brittle under high-purity conditions.

There are several important differences between the two. The most notable of these is that bitumen has a higher melting point than oil-based asphalt.

With its unique physical and chemical properties, gilsonite is used in a variety of different industries for more than 160 products.

Additionally, Gilsonite can be mixed with a wide variety of chemicals and materials, each taking advantage of its unique physical and chemical properties.

Advantages of gilsonite usage

Benefits of using gilsonite;

Readily soluble without heating in aromatic solvents and in most chlorinated solvents
High Asphaltene content
High solubility in organic solvents
High purity and consistent properties
High molecular weight
High in resin and Nitrogen content

Gilsonite consumption usages

Gilsonite, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon resin (uintaite), has unique chemical properties and physical properties. Thanks to its unique structure, it contributes to increasing the performance of many critical materials and applications.

Gilsonite has a wide range of uses because it has a geologically interesting structure and is an economically important resource for industries. Gilsonite’s uses have changed over time with new technology and industrial needs.

Gilsonite’s uses include wire insulation, paints and varnishes, construction materials, asphalt, printing ink, oil well drilling, and drilling fluid, and it is also used in foundry casting.

Usage in Drilling Fluids

Gilsonite’s unique properties make it important for many oilfield drilling fluid products. For this reason, Gilsonite has been used as an additive in drilling fluids in the oil field for many years. Developments in the oil and gas sector in recent years have led to an increase in demand.

Adding gilsonite to petroleum-based drilling fluids and water-based drilling fluids causes the material to partially melt or deform. Gilsonite forms a tight, hard filter cake that plugs microcracks in the rock, preventing fluid loss and contamination of the interior of the wellbore.

Dissolved gilsonite increases the viscosity of the drilling fluid, provides lubrication, and helps prevent the drill pipe from jamming into the well, as well as sealing and stabilizing the problematic rock around the wellbore.

Due to its blocking and binding properties, Gilsonite is also used as a lost circulation material in the cementation of liquids and to reduce mud density in some special cementing fluids.

Using as below aspahlt

Gilsonite is the mineral Bitumen and its quality is the same as Petroleum Gilsonite so there is no difference between them.

Gilsonite is in Lump mode, but Petroleum Gilsonite is the refinery product obtained from Oil in Barrels, which causes its price to be higher.

Gilsonite can be mixed with petroleum MD such as MD 60/70 with Mazut (lower quality fuel oil) or SBS (styrene butadiene styrene copolymer) additives for use in Asphalt Industries, Gilsonite factories, and Waterproof roofing factories.

Gilsonite can be blended with petroleum MD such as MD 60/70 with Mazut (lower quality fuel oil) or SBS (styrene butadiene styrene copolymer) additives for use in Asphalt Industries, Gilsonite factories, and Waterproof roofing factories.

Waterproof roofing factories normally mix Gilsonite with SBS (styrene butadiene styrene copolymer). This way they ensure that it can later be used as a replacement for bitumen or oxidized bitumen.

Asphalts made using Gilsonite do not break in cold weather, and do not melt in a very short time in hot weather.

Usage in road aspahlt

The use of Gilsonite has made it possible to create high-performance road surfaces. Gilsonite’s superior properties make it the preferred modifier for hot mix coatings and pavement sealers.

Gilsonite is a substance that increases efficiency and productivity in asphalt mixtures. Asphalt, with its high content of Gilsonite, can be mixed into a very solid material without the need for any other stabilizing material.

As an additive, Gilsonite can be used in total or part in place of SBS polymers in asphalt modifiers in terms of value and cost.

Asphalt modified with Gilsonite has higher stability, lower deformation, stability against low temperatures, and higher water resistance. These properties do not appear in asphalts without gilsonite.

Gilsonite’s main task in this application is to increase the stability of coatings and their resistance to shape changes. Thus, the ability to withstand high loads is increased and allows use in areas under high pressure.

35 different alternatives can be used instead of Gilsonite. However, Gilsonite is used more frequently because its cost/benefit ratios are higher than that of Gilsonite.

Summary

In summary, Gilsonite has numerous industrial applications. Although the asphalt and ink sectors come to mind first. Gilsonite can be used including drilling fluids, foundry molds, and more.

Due to its unique properties and sustainable nature, it is a valuable resource for industries seeking environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum-based products.

FAQ

What is another name for Gilsonite?

It is Asphaltite

Is Gilsonite flammable?

Yes and emits toxic fumes when it burns

Is Gilsonite a metal?

Gilsonite is categorized as a mineral.