A U.S.A. HISTORY OF ASPHALT REFINED FROM CRUDE OIL AND ITS DISTRIBUTION

This review of the history of asphalt manufacture identifies 4 significant phases; 1. phase of the asphalt precursors; 2. the recognition of petroleum asphalt and organizational development; 3. refining developments and improvements in asphalts materials handling; and 4. asphalt distribution. In the first phase, the refiner was dependent on know-how to improve flux uniformity and quality. In the next phase, the acceptance of California and Texas asphalts was followed by an extensive asphalt product line of several grades, hard asphalt, flux, road oil, oxidized asphalt cutbacks and emulsions designed to serve specific purposes. Petroleum asphalt exceeded natural asphalt volumes, bulk handling and shipment became possible, and the beginnings are noted of asphalt marketing, "in-house" technical organization, and industry associations. The third phase, witnessed revolutionary changes in cracking and asphalt refining. The fourth phase covers the growth of the terminal, providing additional supply points to those of the traditional refinery. The growth of the industry is illustrated by figures. The price of asphalt in U.S. asphalt history are also presented. The number and location of recent refineries, and the asphalt terminal locations (shown in graphs) illustrate the overall asphalt distribution system. The future (fifth) phase is indicated as that of asphalt supply. Currently, artifical influences are causing an imbalance in supply and demand. However, there is the possibility that less paving construction (because of inflation and lower gasoline tax revenue) could correct this imbalance.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • 50th Anniversary Historical Review and Index of Proceedings, 1928-1974.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

  155 Experimental Engineering Building
  Minneapolis, MN  United States  55455
• Authors:
  • Krchma, L C
  • Gagle, D W
• Conference:
  • Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists Proc
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 25-88
• Serial:
  • Volume: 43A

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt; Bitumen; Crude oil; Demand; Fluxes; Heat flux; History; Manufacturing; Marketing; Materials management; Organizations; Petroleum refineries; Prices; Production; Refining; Shipments; Supply; Tank trucks; Trade associations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Supply and demand
• Old TRIS Terms: Bituminous distributor; Refineries
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; History; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00127522
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 7 1976 12:00AM