- Any of a group of solid and
semi-solid hydrocarbons that can be converted into liquid form by
heating. Bitumens can be refined to produce such commercial products as
gasoline, fuel oil, and asphalt.
Source: Leet, L. Don. 1982.
Physical Geology, 6th Edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
a. A general name for various solid and semisolid hydrocarbons. In 1912, the
term was used by the American Society for Testing and Materials to include all
those hydrocarbons that are soluble in carbon disulfide, whether gases, easily
mobile liquids, viscous liquids, or solids.
b. A generic term applied to
natural flammable substances of variable color, hardness, and volatility,
composed principally of a mixture of hydrocarbons substantially free from
oxygenated bodies. Bitumens are sometimes associated with mineral matter, the
nonmineral constituents being fusible and largely soluble in carbon disulfide,
yielding water-insoluble sulfonation products. Petroleums, asphalts, natural
mineral waxes, and asphaltites are all considered bitumens. AGI
Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms