Gilsonite Chemical Characterization
Gilsonite Chemical Characterization
Gilsonite is a complex system of different constituents, made of hydrocarbons and heteroatoms. After fractionation of the Gilsonite by specific solvents, four main chemical families are obtained: saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes. The association of asphaltene sheets (highly polycondensed pseudo monomers of a carbon black-bone, chemical functions, and heteroatoms surrounded by aliphatic chains) leads to the formation of microstructures or “micelles”. They can also form aggregates.
Gilsonite is included in a class of solid bitumens known as asphaltites. Gilsonite deposits are located in eastern Utah in the United States and Kermanshah-Iran. They are different from other asphaltites because of their:
- High asphaltene content
- High solubility in organic solvents
- High purity and consistent properties
- High molecular weight
- High nitrogen content
Gilsonite is available in different grades categorized by softening point. The softening point is used as an approximate guide to melt viscosity and behavior in solution.
for more information click …> Chemical Features of Gilsonite
