RI 2121 The Natural Hydrocarbons; Gilsonite, Elatrite; Wurtzilite, Grahamite, Ozokerite And Others

[Inquiries are frequently received by the Bureau of Minas relative to occurrence, mining, treatment and utilization of the natural hydrocarbons' such as gilsonite, elaterate, wurtzilite, grahamite, and ozokerite although have been known and used for many years, they are not yet well understood and the amount of recent literature dealing with them as comparatively small. This paper is intended merely to summarize the present knowledge The natural hydrocarbons included in this series are gilsonite, elaterite, wurtzilite, glance pitch, manjak, grahamite, albertite, arid ozokerite and many other minor varieties. With the exception of ozokerite and the other mineral waxes, then all more or less resemble asphalt in that they are dark brown or black bituminous substances of organic origin, generally with a resinous luster. Ozokerite usually light an color with a waxey luster, is closely allied to the others of the series, but is usually considered separately, Unfortunately authorities differ as to nomenclature so that determinations of physical and chemical properties from different sources may riot be readily compared. Abraham Herbert, Asphalts and Allied Substances, 1918, 606 pp. has made one of the most detailed studies of these subjects in recent years, and his classification is used in the main. The following definitions are given by him]