OCR Text |
Show Gilsonite Provides Utah Unique Product For Insulating Pipes I An exclusive method of insulating pipes has been developed by American Gilsonite Company using one of Utah's exclusive natural resources, Gilsonite. To be marketed under ths name of Gilsulate, this hydro-carbon found in the Uintah Basin, may revolutionize revolu-tionize the entire field of protecting pipes against heat loss and corrosion. corro-sion. Insttlating a pipe with Gilsulate calls for virtually no skilled labor. A trench is dug, the pipe is laid, and powdered Gilsulate is poured around the pipe. When the pipe is heated to temperatures from 235 to 375 degrees, the Gilsulate fuses, and forms a hard glassy inner coat. It tapers off to a more granular structure, which adds to its insu-lative insu-lative quality. Conventional methods of installing install-ing insulated and corrosion-proof pipes cost about $14.60 a foot, plus skilled labor costs. Gilsulate coated pipes cost about $2.50 a foot, plus unskilled labor. The company has applied for patents on the process developed by Roy E. Nelson and J. H. Baker. Tests are being conducted now to determine the effects of low temperatures tem-peratures on the corrosion protection protec-tion qualities of the materials. Virtually the entire world's sup- Bly of Gilsonite is found in Uintah lasin. It was discovered in 1885 by Capt. Samuel Gllson, who gave his name to the product, ven though he probably never appreciated tn importance of his find. Gilsonite is a first cousin of petroleum. It occurs in vertical fiu-sures fiu-sures up to 1000 feet deep, varying in width from a few inches to 25 feet. Waterproof, acid proof, and a perfect Insulator, Gilsonite li widely wide-ly used making battery cases, electrical elec-trical parts and other molded articles. arti-cles. It is also an ingredient of varnishes, enamels, asphalt, plastics, plas-tics, paints, floor tile, building and roofing materials, inks, and soundproofing sound-proofing materials. Gilsonite can be converted inte crude oil, and in 1949 a plant for the conversion was built in Bonanza. Bonan-za. About 500 barrels of crude oil made from Gilsonite are injected daily into Rangely crude, which it piped to the Salt Lake Refining Company. Despite its many uses, Gilsonite may attain its wide?st acceptance because of its newly discovered quality of protection for pipe lines of all sorts. |