Bitumen 40/50, a simple definition
Bitumen 40/50 is like a black and sticky glue that is produced by combining crude oil with air. This bitumen can penetrate 40 to 50 mm in 100 seconds into the underlying rock.
Bitumen 40/50
40/50 bitumen becomes soft at high temperatures and hard at low temperatures. This feature makes 40/50 bitumen suitable for applications that require adhesion at high temperatures and durability at low temperatures. For example, 40/50 bitumen is used to produce asphalt that is exposed to high and low temperatures.
40/50 bitumen is produced through the vacuum baton aeration process. In this process, the vacuum baton (a by-product of crude oil refining) is exposed to air. Air reacts with the organic compounds in the vacuum baton and creates crosslinks between molecules. This reaction increases the adhesion and durability of bitumen.
Question: What is a vacuum baton?
Vacuum Bottom is a by-product of oil refining that is obtained from the residue of the distillation tower in a vacuum. Vacuum baton is actually the residue of crude oil distillation, from which all light and heavy materials have been removed. In the past, vacuum baton was known as crude oil sludge and was thrown away. But today, due to its high value, it is used as feed for the production of bitumen and fuel oil.
Vacuum batum is a black and thick substance that consists of hydrocarbons with a carbon number of more than 35. This material is chemically stable but flammable.
Now the question arises for you, what is a distillery tower?
Bitumen Distillation Tower is an industrial device that is used to separate hydrocarbons in bitumen. Bitumen distillation tower consists of a tall cylindrical column where bitumen is exposed to heat. As the temperature increases, the lighter hydrocarbons vaporize from the bitumen and escape from the top of the tower. Heavier hydrocarbons remain in the tower and liquefy as they cool.
The bitumen distillation tower consists of the following components:
Feed Tank: The feed to a bitumen distillation tower is usually a vacuum baton obtained from a crude oil refinery.
Heat exchanger: The heat exchanger is used to heat the feed of the bitumen distillation tower.
Distillation tower: Distillation tower is the place of separation of hydrocarbons in bitumen.
Cooler: Cooler is used to cool the products of bitumen distillation tower.
The bitumen distillation process in the distillation tower is as follows:
The bitumen feed, usually vacuum baton, is transferred from the feed tank to the heat exchanger.
In the heat exchanger, the feed is heated and enters the distillation tower.
As the temperature increases in the distillation tower, hydrocarbons lighter than bitumen are vaporized and exit from the top of the tower.
Heavier hydrocarbons remain in the tower and liquefy as they cool.
The products of the bitumen distillation tower, including heavy bitumen, medium bitumen, light bitumen and fuel oil, leave the cooler.
Bitumen distillation tower is an important industrial device that is used to produce all kinds of bitumen and fuel oil. This device produces high quality products with different applications by separating hydrocarbons in bitumen.
Types of bitumen distillation towers
The bitumen distillation tower is divided into the following types based on the type of application:
Traditional Bitumen Distillation Tower: This type of distillation tower consists of a tall cylindrical column where bitumen is exposed to heat.
Horizontal bitumen distillation tower: This type of distillation tower consists of a horizontal column in which the bitumen is exposed to heat.
Continuous Bitumen Distillation Tower: This type of distillation tower works continuously and its feed and products are entered and exited continuously.
Discontinuous Bitumen Distillation Tower: This type of distillation tower works discontinuously, and its feed and products are entered and exited discontinuously.
The traditional bitumen distillation tower is the most common type of this device. This type of distillation tower is relatively simple and cheap. But the horizontal bitumen distillation tower has more advantages than the traditional bitumen distillation tower. This type of distillation tower occupies less space and the distillation operation is more efficient.
The continuous bitumen distillation tower also has more advantages than the discontinuous bitumen distillation tower. This type of distillation tower has a higher production capacity and can produce products with more uniform quality.
Bitumen 40/50 and its uses
Bitumen 40/50 is used in various industries. The most important applications of bitumen 40/50 are:
Road construction: 40/50 bitumen is used to produce asphalt. Asphalt is made from a mixture of gravel, sand and bitumen. 40/50 bitumen is suitable for making asphalt due to its high adhesion and durability.
Insulation: 40/50 bitumen is used to insulate structures against water and moisture. This bitumen is suitable for insulation due to its high sealing properties.
Production of liquid bitumen: 40/50 bitumen is used to produce liquid bitumen like 60/70 bitumen. Liquid bitumen is suitable for use at lower temperatures than solid bitumen.
Bitumen 40/50 can be considered as a kind of “magic glue”. This bitumen can stick paving stones together, seal roofs and even separate materials from each other.
To better understand 40/50 bitumen, it can be compared to a type of “double sided glue”. This type of glue has two layers, each of which has a high adhesion. When these two layers stick together, a very strong bond is created.
Bitumen 40/50 also has two layers. Vacuum baton is the first layer. It consists of organic compounds. The second layer is air, which contains oxygen. It is exposed to air, oxygen reacts with organic compounds in it. Transverse bonds are created between molecules. These crosslinks increase the adhesion and durability of bitumen.
Therefore, 40/50 bitumen can be considered as a type of “double-sided glue” that has a very high adhesion. This glue can be used at high and low temperatures and is suitable for various applications.
What is the difference between 40/50 and 60/70 bitumen?
Bitumen 60/70 and bitumen 40/50 are two types of penetrating bitumen that are produced through the vacuum baton aeration process. These two bitumens have similar properties, but also have key differences.
Degree of permeability
The most important difference between 60/70 bitumen and 40/50 bitumen is in their degree of permeability. The degree of permeability of a bitumen indicates the extent of its penetration into the underlying rock. 60/70 bitumen has a permeability between 60 and 70 mm per 100 seconds, while 40/50 bitumen has a permeability between 40 and 50 mm per 100 seconds.
stickiness
60/70 bitumen has more adhesion than 40/50 bitumen. This is because 70/60 bitumen has a higher concentration.
Durability
60/70 bitumen is more durable than 40/50 bitumen. This is because bitumen 60/70 has more crosslinks between molecules.
applications
60/70 bitumen is usually used for applications that require high adhesion and durability. For example, bitumen 60/70 is used to produce special asphalt, industrial insulation and waterproof coatings.
40/50 bitumen is usually used for applications that require less adhesion and durability. For example, 40/50 bitumen is used to produce ordinary asphalt, building insulation and anti-moisture coatings
