Abstract
In this present study, high mineral matter (ash) asphaltites from Silopi, Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey were investigated using aqueous sodium hydroxide followed by various mineral acids such as HNO3, HCl, H2SO4, and HF. The extraction with 5% NaOH followed by leaching with 10% H2SO4 plus 40% HF was the optimum approach for chemical cleaning of the asphaltite and the maximum degree of the demineralization was found as 59.56%. At the same time, the calorific value increased to 20.86% according to the original sample. In addition, the spectrometric analyses of treated asphaltite samples were performed by FTIR and X-ray diffraction.