Gilsonite

Currently, there are several materials, includingGilsonite, that are used as a carbonaceous additive in the foundry process.While there are several theories as to the mechanics of how these additiveswork, it is agreed that their major beneficial effects on the sand mold are:(1) increased green strength; (2) increased dry strength; (3) decreased hotstrength; (4) decreased permeability; and (5) increased mold hardness.

Carbonaceous materials are frequently added to sandmolds used to make grey iron or pig iron castings. The function of theseadditives is to reduce the number of imperfections that occur in the castingprocess and to release the casting from the sand mold more easily.

Carbonaceous Foundry Sand Additive:

Borehole instability problems are often referred toas sloughing, heaving, spalling, or over-pressured shales, mud balls, mudrings, and many other descriptive names. There are many solutions to theseproblems. The use of additives to inhibit or partially inhibit the swelling ofshales has been well documented. Gilsonite products play a key role inaddressing these problems.

For many years, Gilsonite has been used in the oilfield as an additive in drilling fluids. Gilsonite, in various grades andformulations, has been used to combat borehole instability problems, providelubricity, especially in highly deviated holes, and more recently as a bridgingagent to combat differential pressure sticking and provide a low invasioncoring fluid. It has been well documented that appropriately formulatedGilsonite products can minimize hole collapse in formations containingwater-sensitive, sloughing shales and reduce stuck pipe problems by forming athin wall cake and an inter-matrix filter cake.

Drilling Fluids

Gilsonite slurries have beenreported to bridge in the casing when using bottom cementing plugs. Whilesituations may vary from well to well, this should be considered by the userwhen high Gilsonite concentrations are being planned.

Gilsonite may be used in any typeof cementing system, with the optimum range being between 10 to 25 lb/sack.

Gilsonite slurries provideeffective and economical prevention and cure for loss of cement circulation.

There are three conclusionsregarding the use of Gilsonite in cementing operations:

Resists the effects of corrosivewaters as well as acidic and alkaline solutions.

Gilsonite Resin is widely andeffectively used to prevent or cure loss of slurry circulation while cementingoil and gas wells. The low specific gravity of (1.05) and sealingcharacteristics of Gilsonite provides qualities that make it effective againstloss of the slurry to permeable zones, natural and induced fractures, andcaverns. Since Gilsonite was first introduced to the industry in 1957, morethat 1 billion sacks of Gilsonite have been used in cementing operations. Asstated by Smith and Grant, the properties of Gilsonite provide the followingbenefits in lost circulation applications.

Cement

Special grades of Gilsonite called Selects are alsostandard ingredients in black ink formulations and are used as additives inasphaltic paints and varnishes.

In News ink formulas Gilsonite Resin is used as apartial replacement for Gilsonite Resin or oxidized asphalt. Gilsonite Resinhas a solution viscosity that is lower than Gilsonite Resin ; so more resin canbe added to the formula at the same tack and viscosity. The increased resinloading will give a News ink better rub-off properties.

In Heatset inks it is primarily used as a replacementfor hydrocarbon resin. It has its best application in the carbon black grindingvehicles where it can replace up to ? of the hydrocarbon resin and up to ? ofthe alkyd resin. It also can be used in the gelled let down varnishes where itcan replace up to ? of the rosin modified hydrocarbon resin and up to ? of thephenolic modified rosin resins. Unlike hydrocarbon resins, Gilsonite Resin hasfunctionality and will react with aluminum gelling agents.

Gilsonite Resin is used as a partial replacement forhydrocarbon resin, alkyd resin, rosin modified hydrocarbon resin, phenolicmodified rosin resins, oxidized asphalt, and metal resinates.

Inks & paints

The use of modifiers to improvethe performance of bituminous road paving materials is increasing worldwide.Gilsonite is used by asphalt producers, road paving engineers and pavingcontractors who are concerned with PG specifications, high performance and costeffectiveness. Gilsonite, long known as a bitumen reinforcer and hardeningagent, also offers a unique combination of high performance and economy forhigh stress paving applications. The main benefit of Gilsonite isin producing road pavement mixes of higher stability than conventional ones.Gilsonite, a unique, natural hydrocarbon, high in asphaltenes and nitrogencompounds, is a granular solid that is fully compatible with bitumen. It can bemelted into hot bitumen, or it can be added during hot mix manufacture. Ineither case, Gilsonite dissolves easily in bitumen and achieves a uniform,easily workable hot mix. The stability ofGilsonite-fortified pavements makes them more resistant to deformationproblems, such as rutting and shoving, and increases the pavement's loadcarrying ability.

Asphalt Modifier

Typical Uses / Applications:

Gilsoniteis found below the earth's surface in vertical veins or seams that aregenerally between two and six feet in width, but can be as wide as 28feet.The veins are nearly parallel to each other and are oriented in anorthwest to southeast direction. They extend many miles in length andas deep as 1500 feet.The vein will show up on the surface as a thinoutcropping and gradually widen as it goes deeper. Due to the narrowmining face, Gilsonite is mined today,much like it was 50 or 100 yearsago. The primary difference is that modern miners use pneumatic chippinghammers and mechanical hoists.

Gilsonite is a natural, resinous hydrocarbon. This natural asphalt issimilar to hard petroleum asphalt and is often called a natural asphalt,asphaltite, uintaite, or asphaltum. Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic and petroleum asphalt. Due to its uniquecompatibility, Gilsonite is frequently used to harden softerpetroleum products. Gilsonite in mass is a shiny, black substancesimilar in appearance to the mineral obsidian. It is brittle and can beeasily crushed into a dark brown powder. 

Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic solvents and petroleum asphalt. Can be mixed in Bitumen for cost-cutting and improving quality.