Oil & Petroleum Products
Chemical and Fertilizer Products
Dhaduk Group Refinery
Bitumen Refinery
Refining Excellence: The Art and Science of Bitumen Production
At Dhaduk Petrochemicals, we aim to enhance your understanding of bitumen production, refinery processes, and the classification of this vital material. Our refined petroleum bitumen, known as “black gold,” is produced through three primary processes: direct extraction (Straight Run), aeration (Air Blowing), and mixing (Blending). These specialized techniques allow us to deliver high-quality bitumen suited for diverse industrial applications and infrastructure needs. Let’s take a closer look at how each process contributes to creating our premium bitumen products.
Bitumen processes in the refinery
Air Blowing Process
- When the vacuum bottom (VB) from the distillation tower does not possess the desired properties for bitumen, it is transferred to our bitumen unit for further processing.
- In this phase, the VB undergoes an aeration process in the reactor, where controlled oxidation, dehydration, and polymerization reactions take place.
- By precisely managing operational parameters, we produce bitumen across a range of grades to meet diverse industry standards.
- At Dhaduk Petrochemicals, this air blowing process can be carried out in two ways: a continuous process for steady, large-scale production, and a batch process for specialized or smaller production needs.
Straight Run Process
- At Dhaduk Petrochemicals, this air blowing process can be carried out in two ways: a continuous process for steady, large-scale production, and a batch process for specialized or smaller production needs.
- This method, known as the Straight Run process, allows us to obtain bitumen as the final product without additional modifications.
- This streamlined approach ensures efficient production while preserving the natural properties ideal for high-quality bitumen.
Blending Process
- In essence, the Blending process involves carefully mixing selected petroleum fractions with an optimal formulation to achieve bitumen that meets exacting industry standards.
- This method allows Dhaduk Petrochemicals to produce bitumen with precise specifications, tailored to the diverse needs of our clients and applications.
Dhaduk Petrochemicals Group
Dhaduk Bitumen Classifications
- Broadly speaking, bitumen used in road construction falls into two main categories.
- Natural bitumen, derived from mines, is a mineral bitumen, while petroleum bitumen is obtained by refining crude oil.
- Importantly, petroleum bitumen is the primary material used in road construction due to its optimal properties.
- Natural bitumen, on the other hand, can be used as a modifier, enhancing certain characteristics when blended with petroleum bitumen to meet specific construction requirements.
