Today we want to talk about natural bitumen meaning in Tamil examples.

Natural bitumen, known as "புழுங்கரு" (Puzhungaru) in Tamil, refers to a viscous, semi-solid form of petroleum found in nature. In Tamil Nadu, natural bitumen is found in areas like Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. The substance has historical significance, as it was used in ancient times for various applications, including waterproofing and adhesive purposes. Examples of its usage in Tamil culture can be traced back to traditional construction methods and art. Today, its significance persists, showcasing the enduring cultural and practical relevance of natural bitumen in Tamil Nadu.

 The term "bitumen" is derived from Latin and may connote the word "pitch" depending on how you interpret it. It may be derived from petroleum by a technique called vacuum distillation.

 It is a complex mixture of organic molecules, the vast majority of which are made up of carbon and hydrogen. Other components, such as sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen, provide support, however, the metals present are hardly visible at such low amounts. The black color of bitumen, its variable consistency (which may vary from fluid to rigid), and its insoluble tendency in water all contribute to its use as a sealant. The substance transforms when heated to between 150 and 200 degrees Celsius, resulting in a change in the material's consistency. To be more specific, the material's consistency shifts from hard and brittle to mushy, fluid, and thin. If the temperature rises, the material's capacity to be molded into various shapes will diminish. Bitumen has been discovered in sedimentary rocks as well as natural asphalt. Bitumen may be present in asphalt.

 This is made up of petroleum, which originated from biological deposits in the water over millions of years. Petroleum is made up of hydrocarbon compounds with varying numbers of carbon atoms, and it is made up of hydrocarbon compounds. Holzminden, Germany, features some of the most substantial natural asphalt resources in the nation. The asphalt rocks, which can be found at a depth of roughly 80 meters at this site, contain around 4% bitumen. A handful of South American and Caribbean lakes are entirely comprised of asphalt, with some lakes having up to 95% bitumen. Several of these lakes are in the highlands. Asphalt Lake is one such body of water, and it is located on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad. In that region, there is a constant flow of liquid bitumen containing minerals coming out of the soil.

The vast majority of bitumen recovered today comes from petroleum, which is buried incredibly deep under the earth's surface and brought to the surface through the drilling process. Because petroleum is located buried exceptionally deeply under the ground's surface, bitumen is derived from it. The crude oil is then evaporated to allow it to be broken down into its constituent components before being condensed and sent to its final destination (known as distillation). Bitumen was found in antiquity for the first time about 6700 B.C. when it was discovered to be used to sculpt eye outlines on lime mortar figurines.

 According to this discovery, bitumen is now one of the oldest known compounds. These discoveries date back to the Bronze Age in terms of the historical period. Around 3000 B.C., it was found at natural exit sites near the town of Hit. Natural asphalt was found in this area, and examination revealed that it included just a trace of additive, making it almost identical in composition to bitumen.

 According to historical reports, the site in question must have served as a major center for the asphalt trade during that period, supplying the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians for a long time. Because of its great adhesive strength, which was utilized for wall building, and its water impermeability, which was used for sealing, bitumen was the most often used material in the period. Because of these two characteristics, bitumen was an appropriate material. At the time, it was generally known that the material could be processed by heating it and that this method could be used to create a range of other recipes.

When this age of affluence ended, natural asphalt slipped into obscurity over time. Because neither the Greeks nor the Romans had large amounts of asphalt deposits on their territories, neither civilization was particularly interested in the substance. Prior to the Middle Ages, bituminous materials were exclusively used in magic and medicine, as well as in the process of embalming mummies to ensure their preservation. Natural asphalt was found all over the world again during the Age of Enlightenment and the related exploratory excursions (14th-15th centuries). Pennsylvania was the location of the first petroleum well discovery in 1859, as well as the building of the first petroleum refineries the same year. This is thought to be the beginning of industrial bitumen manufacture.

Originally, the only method to make illuminating oil for lamps was to distill petroleum. In this manner, the petroleum was evaporated using heat. In 1880, more petroleum distillation was carried out to produce lubricating oils. This was done to meet rising demand. It has been revealed that distillation byproducts may retain a range of qualities after the procedure is completed. Bitumen is a result of many refining operations, one of which is the distillation of lubricating oils. It was discovered that the quantity of lubricating oil purchased had an influence not only on the amount of bitumen that could be removed from the ground but also on how much its toughness could be modified. The hardness test, an early method for determining the depth of penetration of bitumen, was created and published in an American patent in 1888. This method is still in use today. This testing method was developed in the United States of America. Until recently, the bitumen market, sometimes known as a "lube oil by-product," has not been significant enough.

The only way to become self-sufficient in natural bitumen sources and create bitumen of any desired hardness was to begin mass production of bitumen. This was also the only technique to make consistent bitumen. To make this a reality, industrial-scale bitumen production has to begin. They were performing the distillation procedure in a vacuum while simultaneously infusing steam was a significant step forward in significantly improving the quality of the bitumen. This was a critical first step on the correct path.

This method, known as fractional condensation, allowed for lower and hence softer end temperatures, which significantly shortened the time necessary to complete the production process. The invention of a new technology known as the blowing process was required for the production of high-melting bitumen. This method was created in 1894. Throughout the process, a bituminous starting material is compressed under air pressure to accelerate the formation of high-molecular components. As a result, the words "oxidation bitumen" and "oxidized bitumen" may be used interchangeably. Because of the way this technique was carried out, bitumen with a high softening point while maintaining a high degree of hardness was produced.