Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA)

What is Trinidad Lake Asphalt?

Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) is mined from the Pitch Lake in La Brea, Trinidad, where it occurs as a semi - solid emulsion composed of soluble bitumen, mineral matter and other minor constituents, mainly water in its crude state. In its refined state where the water and other minor constituents have been removed, it is referred to as Epure

This composition allows for the use of TLA as a modifier to road grade bitumens for use in pavement construction on roads, bridges, tunnels and seaport terminals. To date , TLA modified asphalt binders can be produced to meet all specifications whether user, producer or performance based, including ASTM ( American Society for Testing Materials), BS (British Standards), DIN and SHRP requirements.

Formatory Process

The formatory processes involved in the natural production of TLA includes: polymerisation , selective absorption by clay minerals and silica, electrostatic accumulation of pitch bodies and geothermal oxidation of a parent crude. These processes are mainly responsible for the unique consistent properties of TLA

"A look at its properties"

Trinidad Lake Asphalt consists of a mixture of Bitumen and Minerals broken down as follows :

• Soluble Bitumen. - 53 - 55 %
• Mineral Matter - 36 % - 37 %
• Other - 9 % - 10 %

The Bitumen component is made up of:

• Maltenes - 63 - 66 %
• Asphaltenes : 33 - 37 %
• Acid Value: 6.9 %
• Saponification Value: 40.0 %
• Fixed Carbon - 10.8 %

The mineral component of TLA is made up of particles of various grades as follows:

• Passing 200 Mesh - 0.08 mm : 89.8 %
• Passing 100 Mesh - 0.17 mm : 8.0 %
• Passing 80 Mesh - 0.20mm : 2.2%
• Close to 40% of the mineral matter is less than 1 micron in size and is very finely divided

PROPERTIES OF TLA

These properties collectively provide high mix stability, resistance to cracking, excellent durability, and unparalleled demonstrated performance in the construction of cost effective, long life pavements.

"...Performance"

The performance of Trinidad Lake Asphalt has been consistent in all cases in which it has been applied and has also proven to provide significant savings in terms of pavement life cycles. It has been proven to reduce road user costs by 4.0% per kilometer and to provide overall benefits to society amounting to $1.9m/KM for weak subgrades and $1.2m/KM for strong subgrades.

A recent study was conducted to evaluate the economic viability of airfield pavements incorporating TLA over a broad range of hypothetical airfield design scenarios. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design criteria were used to develop new pavement and rehabilitation designs. The designs varied depending on subgrade strength, traffic type and level, and type of material. The designs were then compared on a life - cycle cost basis using guidelines by the FAA. The results of the study indicated asphalt concrete airfield pavements incorporating TLA (TLAC) can be cost competitive with or economically superior to conventional asphalt concrete (AC) or Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavement design scenarios.

The use of TLA dates back some 400 years when Sir Walter Raleigh discovered the Pitch Lake and used the "Pitch" to caulk his ships. His description of the effectiveness of the material to meet his needs then are famous and are still used to describe (TLA) today "Most Excellent Goode"

The first documented usage of TLA as a road surfacing material was on the streets of the Capital City of Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain in 1815. The very first asphalt pavement was laid in front of the City Hall in Newark, New Jersey in 1870. Between 1871 - 1874 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington was paved with TLA.

Trinidad Lake Asphalt, the name used to describe the material, has been one of the most significant materials in the road construction industry to date when combined with refinery bitumen. It has been used in countries all over the world including Germany, India, Japan, Europe, U.S.A.,Hong Kong, Canada, Chile, Middle East, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia and parts of Africa and the Caribbean

1. Ability to blend with most refinery bitumens
2. Exceptional adhesion as a binder
3. High mechanical stability in paving mixtures
4. Non - Skid surface texture
5. Matt - grey surface makes it excellent for night driving
6. Admirable and long service life
7. High resistance to cracking and deflection

INDUSTRIAL

Pipelines

Buildings

Fillers

Product Development

• LASCO
• TNA (Trinidad Natural Asphalt)

Availability

There are reserves of 10 million metric tons in the Lake

Distribution

Trinidad Lake Asphalt is distributed through International Distributors

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