Bitumen, also commonly referred to as asphalt, is a versatile and essential product in the construction and infrastructure industries. It serves as a crucial binding agent in the production of asphalt concrete for road paving, waterproofing materials for roofs and foundations, and as a primary component in various industrial applications.
Maasvlakte Olie Terminal (Acsterba), located in the Port of Rotterdam, plays a significant role in the storage and distribution of bitumen. Their advanced tank farm facilities are designed to handle bitumen with precision and care, ensuring that it remains in optimal condition for its diverse range of applications.
Bitumen is derived from crude oil through a process known as fractional distillation. It is a highly viscous, black or dark brown substance that is semi-solid at room temperature. Its viscosity can be adjusted through heating, making it suitable for different types of applications, from high-traffic road surfaces to roofing materials that require flexibility and durability.
The density of bitumen is approx. 1 tonne per cubic metre at 20 deg.C., i.e. about the same as water, but bitumen expands when it is hot as with most materials, so if you are purchasing in litres be sure you know at what temperature the litres are being measured.
1 tonne of cutback bitumen or bitumen emulsion used in surface dressing if sprayed at 1mm. thickness will give 1000 sq.metres,
i.e. 1kg. of bitumen gives a 1mm. covering over 1 sq.metre.
In the world more than seven kinds of bitumen are produced which depends on climate and region conditions , but in Iran bitumen production is limited to two kinds due to high expenses.
At present 85/ 100 bitumen with high penetration and 60 /70 with less penetration is produced. According to this classification in cold places 85/100 and in warm places 60/70 bitumen are used.
The bitumen flexibility makes asphalts lose their resistance in cold and hot climates. In desert regions, cold nights make asphalt contract and the warmth of its days separates its components and the asphalt breaks.
Currently most of the roads globally are paved with bitumen. Today the world’s demand for bitumen accounts for more than 100 million tons per year which is approximately 700 million barrels of bitumen consumed annually.
Known for its adhesive and cohesive assets, bitumen is mostly utilised in the construction industry. Bitumen is applied on road paving because it is viscous when hot, but solid once it cools down.
Therefore Bitumen operates as the binder/glue for pieces of the aggregate. Bitumen is applied in construction and maintenance of: Highways, Airport runways, Footways and many other applications In order realize the complexity of bitumen as a product an in-depth knowledge and detailed understanding for one of the way the roads are built is crucial.
Specialists in bitumen know bitumen as an advanced and complex construction material, not as a mere by-product of the oil refining process. The ultimate paving material (also referred to hot mix asphalt concrete – HMAC or HMA) consists of about 93 – 97% mineral aggregate (stone), sand and filler. The remaining percentage is bitumen.
Petroleum bitumen is typically referred to as bitumen or asphalt. In Europe for instance bitumen means the liquid binder. In North America, on the other hand the liquid binder is referred to as asphalt, or asphalt cement. OriginIn general the term “bituminous materials” is used to denote substances in which bitumen is present or from which it can be derived.
Bituminous substances comprise of primarily bitumens and tars. Bitumen occurs in nature in several forms: hard one – easily crumbled bitumen in rock asphalt and softer, more viscous material which is present in tar sands and asphalt ‘lakes’. Another way in which bitumen can be obtained is through petroleum processing in this manner the bitumen is essentially the residue yielded through a distillation process of petroleum.
Although bitumen can be found in natural form, the world currently relies for all purposes on petroleum. The material has been produced in this way for over a hundred years. Tars on the other hand do occur in nature. Tars derive as condensates from the processing of coal (at very high temperatures), petroleum, oil-shale, wood or other organic materials. Pitch is produced when a tar is partially distilled so that the volatile components have evaporated.
Acsterba’s commitment to excellence in fuel storage and distribution is underscored by their adherence to rigorous safety protocols and environmental standards. The tank farm is designed to prevent spills, leaks, and contamination, safeguarding both the fuel and the surrounding ecosystem. Continuous monitoring and maintenance ensure that the stored jet fuel remains in optimal condition, ready for distribution to airports and airlines worldwide.