pyrobitumenn.
/ˌpʌɪrə(ʊ)ˈbɪtʃᵿmᵻn/, /ˌpʌɪrə(ʊ)ˈbɪtjᵿmᵻn/, U.S. /ˌpaɪroʊbaɪˈt(j)um(ə)n/, /ˌpaɪroʊbəˈt(j)um(ə)n/ Geology.† 1. A substance that yields bitumen when heated. Obsolete.
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1869 Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1865–8 10 445 The marked differences existing beween true solid bitumens and pyrobitumens, or substances yielding bitumen upon application of heat, has been very clearly pointed out.
2. Any of a class of bituminous hydrocarbons which differ from the bitumens proper in being relatively hard, infusible, and insoluble in organic solvents.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > hydrocarbon minerals > [noun] > pyrobitumen
albertite1853
melan-asphalt1853
wurtzilite1889
pyrobitumen1903
1903 C. Richardson in Science 13 Mar. 420/1 The evidence thus obtained has been carefully analyzed, and the following classification of the native bitumens deduced: Gas... Petroleum... Maltha. Solid Bitumens... Pyrobitumens: Practically insoluble in chloroform or heavy petroleum hydrocarbons.
1951 K. K. Landes Petroleum Geol. iv. 127 The solid hydrocarbons may be subdivided into four main groups: petroleum bitumens, pyrobitumens, disseminated bitumens, and oxygen-bearing bitumens.
1965 E. T. Degens Geochem. Sediments v. 263 One may distinguish between the asphaltic, e.g. wurtzilite, elaterite, albertite, and impsonite, and the nonasphaltic pyrobitumens.
1999 Nature 6 May p. lx/2 ‘Cracking’, the thermal breakdown of natural oil to form gas and solid pyrobitumen, limits the amount of petroleum available for extraction.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1869