The newest and unique technology makes it possible to make road bitumen of Turkmen oil that corresponds to international quality standards.
A modern technological unit for the production of road bitumen was put into operation at the Seydi Oil Refinery in Turkmenistan. The newest and unique technology has been developed by Westport Trading Europe Limited. It allows making bitumen for roads of Turkmen oil that meets international quality standards, thereby creating broad prospects for the development of the oil and gas complex of Turkmenistan.
On April 14, a scientific expert of online media CentralAsia.news, famous Turkmen scientist, Doctor of Technical Sciences Allaberdy Ilyasov commented on how the production and sale of high-quality bitumen ensure the growth of the profitable part of the economy of Turkmenistan.
Earthen resin
The adhesion properties of bitumen, which affect the strength and reliability of the compound, have been used since the dawn of civilization. The facts of using resin are demonstrated even in biblical stories. Noah’s ark was covered inside and outside with resin (Genesis 6, 14). During the construction of the Tower of Babel, mountain resin was used to bind the bricks (Genesis, 11, 3). The Baby Moses was hidden in the reeds on the banks of the Nile in a basket of papyrus coated with asphalt and resin (Exodus, 2, 3).
Bitumen is the oldest building and finishing material. Ancient man knew about the properties of natural bitumen or «earthen resin», which was used to fasten spearheads and to waterproof dishes, even in the Neolithic era. Bituminous utensils are the predecessor of pottery. Besides, bitumen was used for waterproofing in the construction of wooden structures, as well as a binder of mosaics.
Anti-crisis tool
Petroleum bitumen is one of the key materials in road construction. It is a viscous black product with low electrical and thermal conductivity, water and gas tightness, excellent adhesion, and resistance to chemicals. These valuable qualities make it indispensable for road construction. Bitumen is classified into liquid and viscous types. The first ones are used in the manufacture of cold asphalt concrete mortars and to lengthen the construction season. The second ones — for the production of hot asphalt and work in the warm season. The main function of these materials is to firmly bond the components into a homogeneous mass used for making high-quality roads.
In 1876, cast asphalt made of petroleum bitumen was used for the construction of roads in the United States, for the first time. Fifteen years later, a three-meter wide road was built industrially — with the help of an asphalt distributor, providing a continuous supply of hot bitumen in the same place, in the USA, for the first time in the world practice. Soon came the «era of motors» and, accordingly, the laying of roads. Consumption of bitumen became widespread, and the rapidly developing oil industry provided large-scale production of bitumen, amounting to millions of tons per year. By the way, in the 30s of the last century, the state road construction program protected the United States against the economic crisis.
Strategically significant production
It is the first road bitumen production facility in Turkmenistan based on a universal visbreaking process for petroleum feedstocks. Within the process, heavy oil residues are processed, that is, in fact, waste that remains after the distillation of oil and the extraction of components from it, necessary for the production of basic types of oil products. In general, this universal technology of the Westport Trading Europe Limited company makes it possible to make high-quality road bitumen of highly paraffinic Turkmen oil, which fully meets international standards. Thanks to this, oil refining and, accordingly, the efficiency of using local hydrocarbon resources is deepening.
The systematic improvement of cooking technologies based on the achievements of advanced science and technology is a guarantee of quality. The main material for the construction of highways is considered to be asphalt concrete, made of a mixture of crushed stone, sand, mineral powder, and petroleum bitumen. First of all, it is necessary to use the appropriate bitumen for a reliable and durable service of asphalt concrete roads, their strength, water, and deformation resistance. Therefore, within the concept of construction of highways in Turkmenistan, the production of road bitumen is of strategic importance in the country.
Highways of the future
Today, many kilometers of modern asphalt-concrete roads are built in Turkmenistan, especially in areas with developed new oil and gas fields. Also, work on the construction of transport routes connecting the capital with the administrative centers of the regions, including international highways is actively underway.
In the modern world, high-quality roads solve the urgent problems of increasing passenger traffic and freight turnover. Thus, the sale of commercial high-quality bitumen outside of Turkmenistan ensures the growth of the revenue side of the national economy.
Highways are an active component of the transport infrastructure of the Turkmen state and their construction is a strategic aspect of the socio-economic development program of the country until 2025. After all, they serve not only for domestic traffic but also for mutually beneficial international routes, which is determined by the very geographic location of the country.
It must be noted that Turkmenistan has been an important link in trade between East and West for a long time. In real terms, highways significantly expand the transit potential of Turkmenistan. For example, a corridor passing through the territory of the country from East to West serves as the shortest route from Asia to Europe for logisticians. Also, international transportation is invaluable for the cooperation of Turkmenistan with other countries and the prospects for the development of the road transport industry.
