Industry/ Gilsonite in industry sector

Gilsonite using in industry sector

Gilsonite, Asphaltum, Asphaltite, Natural Bitumen, Natural Asphalt is similar to hard petroleum asphalt. Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents, as well as petroleum asphalt. Due to its unique compatibility, Gilsonite is frequently 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. Gilsonite is found below the earth's surface in vertical veins or seams that are generally between two and six feet in width. The veins are nearly parallel to each other and are oriented in a North West to South East direction. 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, Gilsonite 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.

RAHA GILSONITE is currently producing different grades of Gilsonite as follow:

1- Gilsonite with ash content up to 5%, moisture up to 1% and meshes 30, 40, 100, and 300.
2- Gilsonite with ash content up to 10%, moisture up to 1% and meshes 30, 40, 100 and 300.
3- Gilsonite with ash content up to 15%, moisture up to 1% and meshes 30, 40, 100 and 300.
4- Gilsonite with ash content up to 20%, moisture up to 1% and meshes 30, 40, 100 and 300.
5- Gilsonite with ash content up to 25%, moisture up to 1% and meshes 30, 40, 100 and 300.

Mechanized factory enables us to provide Gilsonite with Mesh 100 to 300 which are very important in some specific applications. There are several applications for Gilsonite and the unique applications for Gilsonite is discovered every now and then, below some of these applications are mentioned.

Gilsonite in Oil Drilling Industry

Gilsonite is used in drilling mud fluids and oil well cementing. The addition of specially-treated Gilsonite to water-based drilling fluids helps minimize hole washout by stabilizing troublesome shale’s and seals off highly permeable sands while reducing torque and drag. The addition of Gilsonite to oil well cement reduces slurry weight without loss of compressive strength and acts as an effective bridging and plugging agent to seal fractures in weak formations while cementing.

In addition, it reduces the weight of the slurry and helps seal lost-circulation zones. Considering the significance and high consumption of this material, RAHA GILSONITE started processing and production of a product called micronized powder Gilsonite-drilling FLC.  After numerous tests and field studies conducted at the National Iranian Drilling Company, this finalized product was approved. Main drilling companies and cementing materials suppliers such as Schlumberger are using it in drilling mud and cement for many years.

Gilsonite in Asphalt and Road Paving

Gilsonite is used as a performance-enhancing agent for asphalt mixes. Gilsonite can partially or totally replace, or complement, the use of SBS polymers in modified asphalts at a fraction of the cost. Gilsonite-modified asphalts have higher stability, reduced deformation, reduced temperature susceptibility and increased resistance to water stripping than non-modified asphalts. Gilsonite is also used to make both solvent-based and emulsion pavement sealers with superior appearance and weathering properties.

Gilsonite micronized powder is used in the production of blue bitumen emulsion. The world consumption of bitumen emulsion has increased rapidly. Bitumen emulsion is known as green and environmentally friendly bitumen.

Asphalt/ Bitumen and Bituminous Waterproofing

Since Gilsonite is highly water repellent and resistant to acids and bases, it is generally used in the production of asphalt and waterproofing products. A distinguishing feature of Gilsonite is solubility in non-polar solvents such as carbon disulfide, toluene, and molten bitumen. Relying on this feature, Gilsonite is used in waterproofing industry.

Containing hydrocarbon polymer materials, Gilsonite is considered as an appropriate modifier for refinery bitumen in asphalt and bituminous waterproofing. Gilsonite also reduces the degree of diffusion and increases viscosity, flexibility, and thermal resistance (reduced temperature sensitivity) of refinery bitumen. Gilsonite is used as an agent increasing the efficiency of asphalt mixes. The asphalt mixed with high-grade Gilsonite -no need for other powders added to asphalt- is completely smoothed. Gilsonite-modified asphalt shows a higher stability, lower deformation, higher capacity against temperature changes, higher resistance to water, and lower permeability than asphalts not mixed with Gilsonite. Gilsonite is also used as a preservative agent in hot paving mixtures. Here, the main role of Gilsonite is improving the stability of pavement and resistance to permanent deformation. It increases the load-bearing capacity to be used in areas under high pressure and tension. Gilsonite-modified asphalt shows a higher PG. Sulfur-containing organic compounds in Gilsonite also increase the strength of asphalt.

Recently, the micronized and processed powder of Gilsonite is used in the ports of Seattle and New Jersey (United States), Frankfurt (Germany), Oslo (Norway), Melbourne and Sydney (Australia), and many cities in India to extend the life of asphalt and to produce bitumen products with higher added value. In this regard, RAHA GILSONITE Company produced Gilsonite micronized powder, the modifier of bitumen and asphalt. To improve the quality and strength of the asphalt, this company tested the product In Kermanshah, and Mehran in Iran and Erzurum in Turkey. For more information, see the company’s products.

Gilsonite in Pipe coating

Gilsonite is used for preventing the pipes from corrosion and it acts as an additive in pipe isolator, which increases the pipe life significantly. Gilsonite is used in different industries as a resin for waterproofing purposes, for example in Automobile industry it is used as an additive in coating car’s underbody.

Gilsonite in Foundry

Gilsonite is used as a carbonate additive in casting sand to make plates smoother on gray iron molds. Gilsonite, in combination with sea coal, is used as special adhesives for casting sand resulting in fewer casting imperfections while improving mold release. Gilsonite is also used as the solidifying agent to shape metals. Gilsonite is used in combination with chemical compounds such as magnesium and hydrated lime for desulfurization practice in the steel industry.

In sand case, by adding Gilsonite and asphalts at approximately one-third the level of sea coal the pitch had the same 900°F (482.2°C) volatiles. At this level, loss on ignition with asphalt, and Gilsonite was less than 50% of that obtained with seacoal and pitch while the Gilsonite and asphalts evolved less total gas when compared to seacoal and pitch Gilsonite had the least visible smoke generated in the laboratory tests. The lower gas evolution should reduce ventilation load on the pouring floor. The physical property relationships developed in new sand mixes were confirmed on system sand using Gilsonite as an additive. Casting finish off a Gilsonite mix was equal to Seacoal.

Gilsonite in chemical products

Gilsonite combines with many other chemicals and materials that take advantage of its unique physical and chemical properties. Gilsonite (Natural Asphalt)  is mixed with several other chemicals and materials that benefit from its exceptional physical and chemical properties. Various uses of Gilsonite in binder and coating applications in metallurgical, wood product, refractory, and other trades promote the adaptability and effectiveness of this outstanding material.

For many years, Gilsonite has been successfully used to produce sealant and adhesive. Since it cracks into smaller molecules through the cracking process, it is used to produce gasoline and diesel fuel. In combination with various resins, Gilsonite is used in products such as graphite pencils, graphite electrodes, and batteries. It is also used in the production of paints resistant to sunlight, cold, heat and rain. Gilsonite is used in the production of nano-carbon substances such as graphene and graphite.

GILSONITE--A UNIQUE ADDITIVE FOR OIL-WELL CEMENTS

Since Gilsonite, a solid hydrocarbon, was introduced to the oil industry in August 1957 as a cement additive, several thousands of jobs have been performed using the material. These operations have included primary cementing through lost-circulation zones of the surface, intermediate, and production pipe in both single and multiple stages as well as various remedial jobs such as squeezing, re-cementing above inadequate fill-up and plugging back to reestablish drilling fluid circulation. Designed primarily as combination low-density lost-circulation slurry, Gilsonite has yielded excellent results in areas of incompetent formations as well as in other types of lost-circulation zones. Field results generally show that fill-up of 80 to 90 percent can be obtained in areas where only 50 to 60 percent fill-up was possible with other types of slurries. The unique properties of Gilsonite such as low specific gravity, particle size distribution, impermeability, resistance to corrosive fluids, chemical inertness, and low water requirements result in a slurry having exceptional bridging properties, low slurry weight, compatibility with other slurry additives, and relatively high compressive strength when compared to other slurries of the same weight.

Gilsonite in Ink and Paint industry

Opaque black and brown pigments are derived from Gilsonite and are used in the production of printing inks. Iran Gilsonite is widely used in the production of black ink and gravure ink along with carbon black. Iranian Gilsonite Resin competes advantageously with petroleum-based hydrocarbon resins, phenolic resins, and metal resinates, all of which it can complement or replace to various degrees. Various concentrations of Iranian Gilsonite Resin are used to manufacture specific inks with superior gloss. Special grades of Gilsonite are also used as additives in asphaltic paints and varnishes.
It also can be used in the production of black-brown colored solutions used to tar the gas and sewage pipes. Improving resistance against acids, this product is used as a coat of outer surfaces in automobile chassis and metal structures. It can be used as a cost-effective alternative to other resins in black ink production. In this context, RAHA GILSONITE Company managed to produce a high-quality product suitable for use in paint industry as well as in rubber industry called Gilsonite micronized powder as additives for paint and rubber. This product is consumed by domestic paint and rubber manufacturers after passing relevant tests.

Gilsonite is used in ink manufacture principally as a carbon black dispersing agent or wetting agent. It performs this function at concentrations of 2% to 5% of the finished ink recipe.
Gilsonite itself is a hard, high softening point resin, and it could be used in the finished ink formula for its resinous abilities to offset the hydrocarbon and other resins. However, this requires a concentration on 10% to 15% Gilsonite in the finished ink recipe before it performs this function. This is possible, but difficult, because of dealing with Gilsonite's ash and aromatic contents at such high concentrations. At such high concentrations, there is too much as to filter, the viscosities start too high and increase even higher, etc. Therefore, most ink makers use Gilsonite at low concentrations for carbon black dispersing only and use other resins such as "C5/C9" hydrocarbons or modified rosin phenolics for the ink's resinous ingredients.

Gilsonite in isolation industry

Gilsonite is widely used in isolation of dams, bridges, and channels. Due to stability against weather conditions, acids, and bases, as well as being hydrophobic, Gilsonite micronized powder is a suitable material for insulation. As a green, safe and cheap product, usage of Gilsonite in this area is increasingly growing. It is used in electronic kits as insulation as well as in isolation of optical fibers, cables and sensitive connectors used in oil and gas industry.

Gilsonite Coke Production

According to elemental analysis, Gilsonite contains 70-80% carbon; therefore, it can be used as a reducing element and a proper substitute for coke. It also can be used along with coking materials such as coal to produce coke. In addition, sulfur-free Gilsonite is used to produce a certain type of coke called needle coke which is consumed in the electric arc furnace. Some types of Gilsonite with low carbon content can be directly used instead of coke.

Gilsonite in rubber

In the Rubber industry adding Gilsonite (Natural Asphalt) with Carbon Black will result in having a much more reinforced rubber. This will take effect as Gilsonite facilitates the absorption of carbon black in natural rubber during the mixture with other components, as Gilsonite has high amount of Carbon content it performs well in situations that Carbon black is used in hot mixes also due to special Gilsonite characteristics it will result in a rubber with higher abrasion wear strengths which are perfect for using in tire industry. Natural Asphalt acts as a perfect binder and provides better results with cheaper costs while using in synthetic rubber manufacturing or natural rubber mixtures.

Gilsonite in Steel Making Additives

Gilsonite is an ingredient in several additives used in the production of steel. It is used in Limestone, Lime, Magnesium, and Calcium Carbide additive systems. The function of these additives is to remove impurities such as sulfur, silica, and phosphorus from the molten steel and move them to the molten slag layer. Gilsonite fulfills several roles as a component in Steel Making Additives. First, Gilsonite is approximately 75% volatile at 1900°F, and when added to the molten steel it promotes the mixing of the additives so the chemical reactions that will move the impurities to the molten slag layer can take place. Next, the volatiles that is given off is high in lustrous carbon, which will further reduce the Iron Oxide to steel. Although CO reduces most of the Fe3+ by indirect reduction, a portion must be reduced directly by elemental carbon. Finally, the portion of Gilsonite that is not volatilized is a very highly structured asphaltene structure that is nearly pure carbon. This will add carbon content to the steel.

Gilsonite for Penetrating Wood Stain Base

A color and resin base for interior and exterior oil-based penetrating wood stains. Ideal for both smooth and rough-cut wood, Imparts water-proofing properties to protective coatings and enhances the natural wood grain. Excellent weather ability, Resists water, Abrasion, and Discoloration.

Gilsonite adherence ability dues to use in many industries as an additive to increase the adhesion of the material considerably, for example in some countries such as Turkey coal is manufacturers in cubic shapes and to preserve the cubic shape Gilsonite is added to the mixture and acts as a glue to hold the material together.

Gilsonite in fuel

In the past, Gilsonite lumps were used as fuel along with other fuel compounds such as Mazut and coal in furnaces. This usage is today limited to low-quality Gilsonite species.

Gilsonite in lump form like rock packed in 500~1000 kg jumbo bag

Gilsonite 200 mesh packed in 500~1000 kg jumbo bag

Gilsonite 300 mesh packed in 500~1000 kg jumbo bag

Gilsonite 30-40 mesh packed in 500~1000 kg jumbo bag

Gilsonite 100 mesh packed in 500~1000 kg jumbo bag

Gilsonite 300 mesh packed in 25 kg pp bag

Gilsonite 200 mesh packed 25 kg multi-paper bag

Gilsonite 200 mesh packed 50 lbs multi-paper bag

Gilsonite 30-40 mesh packed pp bag on pallet

Bulk on vessel