Abstract

LOZANO-PEREIRA, Henry  and  AFANASJEVA, Natalia. Gilsonite: An organic mineral with special physical-chemical properties, current uses and future prospects applications. Ing. compet. [online]. 2023, vol.25, n.1, e-30312302.  Epub Dec 30, 2022. ISSN 0123-3033.  https://doi.org/10.25100/iyc.v25i1.12302.

Due to its chemical composition, gilsonite of natural origin containing four fractions, with a high amount of the element carbon (>84%) and a minimum sulphur content (≪0.3%) with other properties similar to those of hydrocarbons (saturated, asphaltenes, resins and aromatics compounds) is characterized by its many applications such as: energy, road paving, inks and paints, oil well drilling, gilsocarbon for nuclear reactors, additive for tire rubber, in petroleum emulsions, metal smelting, in filters for cyanide ion and toluene retention, etc. And also promising applications for the future, which are analyzed in this article. It has been found that gilsonite has the right amount of carbon element in its structure to be graphitised and subsequently converted into graphene, which opens up the possibilities for application in novel materials based on graphene oxide and photovoltaic cells. Asphaltenes extracted from petroleum are very similar to the structure and composition of asphaltenes extracted from gilsonite, which makes the latter a more economical alternative for developing similar applications (graphene coating, making flexible screens, etc.). In Colombia, there is exploration and exploitation of gilsonite mines, but its use is very limited as an asphalt binding agent to improve the mechanical efficiency of pavements. Due to its structure, gilsonite can also be used to remove cyanide ions in the decontamination of rivers and aquifers affected by mining.

Keywords : Gilsonite; asphaltenes; graphene; glycol carbon; lithium batteries; inks and paints; cyanide ion and toluene filters; rubber and tires; supercapacitors; petroleum emulsions; carbon fibers.

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