Description

Bitumen is the heaviest, thickest form of PETROLEUM. Unlike conventional crude oil, bitumen does not flow freely: it is heavier than water and more viscous than molasses. Most of the hydrocarbons in bitumen are heavier than pentane, and about half are very heavy molecules with a boiling point over **5° C. The light fractions are high in naphthenes (used in making gasoline and PETROCHEMICALS); the heavy fractions are high in asphaltenes (used in making asphalt). Bitumen also contains up to 5% sulphur by weight, and small amounts of oxygen, heavy metals and other contaminants