As one of the most practical materials, bitumen exists in various forms and is used in many industries today, the most important and common of which is the road construction industry. In fact, the discovery and use of bitumen led to the development of many industries and international relations. Each type of bitumen can be different in terms of ingredients, physical and chemical characteristics, etc., and for this reason, they have many uses. With the progress of various sciences and technologies, all the properties and characteristics of all types of bitumen have been investigated, and for this reason, a combination of several types of bitumen can be used to improve their performance and efficiency. In the following article, the mixing of Gilsonite or natural bitumen with refinery bitumen, its advantages and the conditions of their combination will be investigated.
What is natural bitumen (gilsonite)?
Gilsonite is a black natural mineral that has high viscosity and is composed of solid hydrocarbons and is mostly found in the vertical layers of underground mines and has characteristics such as having a high amount of asphaltene and nitrogen as well as a high level of solubility in water. It has organic solvents. This material has a high compatibility with petroleum materials and is completely hydrophobic and has a high resistance to acids and bases and is completely non-toxic. Gilsonite was first discovered in the early 1860s and introduced by Samuel H. Gilson as a waterproof coating in the mid-1880s, and has since been mined in various parts of the world.
What is refinery bitumen?
Refinery bitumen is a viscous black liquid obtained from crude oil and has many industrial uses. This substance has a high molecular weight and viscosity. This type of bitumen is basically the product of two stages of crude oil distillation, in the first stage of distillation, light materials such as gasoline and propane are separated from crude oil and this process is carried out at a pressure close to one atmosphere (unit). In the second stage, heavy compounds such as diesel and kerosene are removed.
Each of the introduced types of bitumen can have applications such as road construction, isogam production, use in the printing and ink industry, production of anti-corrosion coatings, casting industry, construction materials, paint and resin, medicine, automobile manufacturing, chemical products, etc. .
Advantages of mixing Gilsonite or natural bitumen with refinery bitumen
Each type of natural and refinery bitumen can have different physical and chemical characteristics, but the combination of these two types of bitumen can improve the characteristics and make their applications more diverse. Among the most important advantages of the mixture of refinery bitumen and Gilsonite, we can mention the following:
Improve mixture performance
By combining refinery bitumen and natural bitumen, its performance can be significantly improved and developed. Since Gilsonite has various properties such as elasticity, adhesion and high durability, the properties of refinery bitumen can be improved, and as a result, the asphalt produced with this combination can perform much better. Asphalt prepared from the mixture of these two bitumen can be more durable and durable, more resistant to deformation and corrosion, and its permeability will also decrease.
Improving the rheological properties of bitumen
The rheological property is basically the ability of a material to flow and change its shape under stress, and when Gilsonite is combined with refinery bitumen, this property is improved, and finally, the asphalt produced with these bitumens can be of high quality and withstand pressures. It has high resistance to traffic loads as well as temperature stress
In addition to the mentioned cases, mixing Gilsonite or natural bitumen with refinery bitumen can have other advantages such as more industrial applications, cost reduction in various industries such as construction and road construction, etc.
The most important effective factors in the composition of Gilsonite and refinery bitumen
As it was said, Gilsonite powder and refinery bitumen can each have different physical and chemical properties and characteristics, therefore their combination can bring many challenges and it is necessary to pay attention to various factors and points when combining them. . Among the most important effective factors in the combination of these two substances, the following can be mentioned:
The chemical composition of bitumen and gilsonite
The chemical composition of bitumen and Gilsonite can have a significant effect on the compatibility and difference process of these two materials. If there are impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen, etc. inside each of these materials, they can affect the chemical reaction and performance of their mixture.
Temperature and mixing conditions
Another factor that can affect the mixing process is the temperature and conditions of bitumen and gilsonite combination. In principle, the combination of these two materials requires high temperatures to prepare a uniform mixture. Mixing time, temperature and cutting speed can affect the properties and performance of asphalt mixture.
Size and dimensions of particles and their concentration
The size and dimensions of the particles and their concentration can be other effective factors in the mixing conditions of bitumen and gilsonite. The higher the particle size and Gilsonite concentration, the better the final composition can be, although it can increase the risk of agglomeration and separation.
How to mix bitumen and gilsonite
After factors such as the compounds in bitumen and gilsonite, temperature and mixing conditions, as well as the size and concentration of the materials have been examined and confirmed, they can be mixed. To mix Gilsonite or natural bitumen with bitumen, it is necessary for a refinery to pay attention to various points and cases.
In the first step, it is necessary to choose the right equipment and materials for this work. To mix these two materials, equipment such as an industrial mixer, asphalt melting machine, thermal kettle, etc. are needed.
In the second stage, it is necessary to pay special attention to the way of transporting and storing materials because it can be effective in their quality and final performance. This mixture should be stored in a place away from any contamination
In the third step, to use this mixture, you should pay attention to points such as the cleanliness of the surface and the setting of the appropriate temperature for melting and mixing.
Various methods of combining refinery bitumen and natural bitumen
Different methods can be used for mixing and combining refined and natural bitumen according to the points and cases, each of which can have its own advantages and disadvantages.
Wet process
This method involves adding Gilsonite to hot refinery bitumen and mixing them using high-shear mixing equipment. This method can provide uniform dispersion of Gilsonite particles and improve the rheological and functional properties of the final composition.
Dry process
In this method, Gilsonite powder should be added to the aggregate mixture and then covered with hot bitumen. In this method, the concentration of the powder must be accurately controlled, the size of the particles must be checked, and the mixing conditions must be provided to achieve a uniform mixture.
Combined process
This method is also one of the common and practical methods in which it is possible to create a uniform and compatible mixture. The resulting mixture can have very good performance and good properties.
Refinery bitumen and natural bitumen are widely used types of bitumen, each of which can have different chemical and physical characteristics and can be used in different industries. The combination of these two substances under certain conditions can improve their performance and eventually have more applications and uses. The combination of these two materials can be done by methods such as wet process, dry process and combined process, each of which can produce a different product.
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