Bitumen, << buh TOO muhn, >> is a light brown to black noncrystalline solid or semisolid made up of hydrogen, carbon, and small amounts of sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. It occurs naturally as asphalt and as a crude oil that is too thick to flow freely at room temperature. It is also produced from certain crude oils or coals. Manufacturers use bitumen in fuels, paints, and paving and roofing materials, and in waterproofing and lining materials used in construction. They also make petroleum coke from bitumen. Bitumen as crude oil is slightly heavier than water. This bitumen can be removed from the ground by heating it to make it flow to a well.
Bituminous (soft) coal is the chief solid fuel used for heating. It is also the main raw material for coke, a substance used to convert iron ore into metallic iron.
