Abstract: The invention includes a compositon of matter comprising a heavy oil having dispersed therein surface modified solid wherein said surface modified solids comprise solids having adsorbed thereon air oxidized polar hydrocarbons from said heavy oil and wherein said surface modified solids have a diameter of about 10 microns or less and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: An improved process for the total separation and recovery of four constituents, namely, 1) insoluble pitches and tars also known as asphaltenes, 2) a kerosene based oil fraction, 3) clays and silts of less than 80 &mgr;m mesh and 4) sands of greater than 80 &mgr;m mesh. Recombination of the hydrocarbon fractions is the bitumen portion of tar sands. A further process for the extraction and separation of plant resins from cellulose and kerogen from oil shale that on thermal depolymerization become a source for aromatic and kerosene based oil fractions respectively.

Abstract: A process for synthesis of lower isoparaffins from synthesis gas that is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, wherein straight chain hydrocarbons are synthesized while isoparaffins and isoolefins are also produced through decomposition of hydrocarbons having a higher carbon number by use of a solid acid catalyst in the first stage, and isoparaffins are synthesized in the second stage. The straight chain hydrocarbons are produced by contacting the synthesis gas with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst that is mixed with a solid acid catalyst for mainly hydrocracking long chain hydrocarbons. The isoparaffins are produced by contacting the straight chain hydrocarbons synthesized in the first stage, with a mixture of a hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating olefins and a solid acid catalyst for hydrocracking and isomerizing the straight chain hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Novel amine-chelate complexes are useful in significantly reducing the viscosity of heavy crude oils, facilitating the recovery and transportation of such heavy crude oils. The amine-chelate complexes are formed by heating together an organic amine with a chelating agent.

Abstract: A 40 petroleum pitch is disclosed. A high melting point petroleum pitch is blended with a high boiling normally liquid petroleum derived hydrocarbon stream to form a mixture having a softening point of 35-45 C. as a partial or complete replacement for coal tar pitch used in driveway sealer and other sealer applications. Driveway sealer (an emulsion of clay, water and binder) made with A 40 has excellent durability and can have a greatly reduced amount of, or be essentially free of, coal tar pitch, greatly reducing the toxicity and odor of the sealer.

Abstract: Disclosed are an integrated process and plant for slurrying and gasification or combustion of a petroleum resid such as asphaltenes from to make a synthesis gas or steam and/or power. The resid is prilled into a gaseous medium as a liquid with a rotating prilling head to form particles which form into a spherical shape. The liquid particles are directly quenched with a water spray to form a slurry of resid particles in water. The slurry comprises a solids loading of 50 to 80 percent and can also include a minor amount of a dispersant.

Abstract: A carbon-carbon composite material is made by providing an open-celled carbon foam preform, and densifying the preform with carbonaceous material. The open-celled carbon foam preform may be oxygen stabilized prior to carbonization, and the foam preform densified by CVD, HIP, PIC, VPI, pitch and resin injection, or any combination thereof. The carbon carbon composite material can be heat treated to provide thermal management materials, structural materials, or a friction material for use in a brake or clutch mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for making substantially spherical, homogenous petroleum resid pellets having a size range between 0.1 and 10 mm, a penetration of essentially 0, a softening point temperature from about 200° to about 400° F., a residual water content of from 0.1 to 10 weight percent, and a sulfur content less than 10 weight percent. The process includes feeding the material in a molten state to a rotating prilling head to discharge the material into free space at an upper end of a pelletizing vessel having a diameter larger than a throw-away diameter of the discharged material, allowing the discharged material to break apart, form into substantially spherical liquid pellets, and fall downwardly into a liquid spray and/or bath to solidify the pellets.

Abstract: In a method for reducing hydrogen chloride emissions from an asphalt air-blowing process, an asphalt is subjected to an air-blowing process where air is bubbled through hot asphalt to raise the softening point of the asphalt. The fumes from the air-blowing process are bubbled through a liquid seal in a knockout tank before going to an incinerator and finally being emitted to the atmosphere. The knockout tank normally operates to condense oil in the fume stream, and the liquid seal is composed of this oil, as well as some of the water evolved in the air-blowing process. When using ferric chloride or ferrous chloride as a catalyst in the air-blowing process, the fume stream contains significant levels of hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: The invention concerns a coal tar extract with reduced polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and benzo(a)pyrene content and a method for obtaining same using two sequentially linked distillation systems. The invention also concerns cosmetic and dermatological preparations containing said resulting coal tar extract.

Abstract: Controlled and thorough stabilization of pitch is provided by incorporating an oxidant into the pitch. In one embodiment of the invention, the oxidant is intimately mixed with the pitch. In another embodiment, the oxidant is encapsulated in a suitable encapsulant and the encapsulated oxidant is intimately mixed with the pitch. This material is particularly useful in the preparation of a carbon-carbon composite, but is also useful for preparing fibers and solid preforms.

Abstract: A method of controlling asphaltene precipitation in a fluid comprising the addition of a precipitation inhibitor to the fluid containing the asphaltene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making an asphalt product having an enhanced flash point and lower volatility, comprising vacuum distilling a blend of a high boiling petroleum fraction having an initial boiling point of at least 270° C. and a crude to produce a product asphalt having a flash of from 265° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an aqueous tar suspoemulsion by mixing a mixture including (a) a viscous tar composition formed from a tar, from inorganic solids and, optionally, from water, (b) water (W), (c) a surface-active agent (SA) exhibiting an HLB of at least 10 and, optionally, (d) a thickening water-soluble polymer (TWP) with a molecular mass of greater than 10,000, the relative amounts of constituents (W), (SA) and, optionally, (TWP) being such that the viscosity of the (W)+(SA)+optional (TWP) mixture is preferably equal to or greater than the viscosity of the said tar, and then optional dilution of the mixture obtained with water or with an aqueous acidic solution. The process is particularly advantageous when applied to to the residues, containing sulphuric acid, resulting from the synthesis of white oils from petroleum fractions. The present invention further relates to a method for fluidizing acidic tars/sludges including contacting the tar/sludge with sulfuric acid and a surfactant.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidation system for reducing the VOC content of asphalt vapors.

Abstract: A process for the solvent separation of hydrocarbons from tar sand or contaminated soils comprises extracting the hydrocarbons from the sand or soil in a solvent extraction means to form a hydrocarbon rich solvent solution. The rich solvent is separated from the hydrocarbon in a process that utilizes flashing of the solvent in a heated flashing column at ambient pressure. The hydrocarbon is withdrawn from the bottom of the column and the flashed solvent vapors are strategicly withdrawn and passed into a condensation column from which the condensed solvent may be recycled. The flashing column is divided by a series of horizontal, vertically aligned apertured trays. The solution is introduced into the top of the column and the flashing operation is facilitated by the increase in the surface area of the solution as it flows by gravity from tray to tray. The column is maintained at a temperature, preferably above the boiling temperature of the solvent.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a high-softening-point pitch rich in mesopores having a softening point measured by temperature gradient method of 150° C. or higher, a weight loss by heating up to 300° C. of 5 wt. % or less and mesopores of 100 mm3/g or greater, in terms of minute pore volume calculated by the Dollimore-Heal method, and a process for making carbonaceous materials carrying metal thereon are disclosed. The high-softening-point pitch rich in mesopores can easily provide carbonaceous material carrying metal thereon by using no oxidizing agent such as nitric acid, and, therefore, the high-softening-point pitch rich in mesopores is especially suitable for the production of carbonaceous materials carrying metal thereon or highly crystalline graphitized carbonaceous materials in a short heating time.

Abstract: Adverse effects of asphaltenes in liquid hydrocarbons are reduced by incorporating into the liquid hydrocarbon sufficient concentration, e.g., about 0.5 to 5 weight % of a dispersant to disassemble or break up agglomerates of the asphaltenes. The dispersant has a polarity of about 0.3 to about 3.2 Debye Units and is preferably selected from the group of toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, tetralin, furan, phenol, ethyl benzoate, butraldehyde, acetophenone and cyclohexanone.

Abstract: In a method for reducing hydrogen chloride emissions from an asphalt air-blowing process, an asphalt is subjected to an air-blowing process where air is bubbled through hot asphalt to raise the softening point of the asphalt. The fumes from the air-blowing process are bubbled through a liquid seal in a knockout tank before going to an incinerator and finally being emitted to the atmosphere. The knockout tank normally operates to condense oil in the fume stream, and the liquid seal is composed of this oil, as well as some of the water evolved in the air-blowing process. When using ferric chloride or ferrous chloride as a catalyst in the air-blowing process, the fume stream contains significant levels of hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for thermosetting pitch fibers in reduced times, at low concentrations of oxygen and at higher temperatures than previously possible. Additionally, the present invention provides a pitch fiber which has an oxygen diffusion rate to the center of the fiber which is competitive with the rate of oxidation at the fiber's surface. Further, the present invention provides a high density pitch fiber batt which thermosets without loss of fiber structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for improving the separation of resins and asphaltenes from each other and a base residuum during alkane deasphalting by adding a phase separation accelerator to the residuum. The phase separation accelerators include alkyl and alkylaryl alkoxylates, alkylaryl sulfonates, and hetero-atom punctuated fatty polymers.

Abstract: The catalyst comprises a mixture of hydrocracked residual asphaltene and metal-doped coke. The catalyst is produced by mixing an oil-soluble metal compound catalyst precursor (e.g. Mo or Ni soap) with heavy oil containing asphaltene and hydrocracking the mixture, producing solid coke as a byproduct. The residual asphaltene fraction in the hydrocracked oil is then precipitated, for example with n-pentane. The mixture of solid coke and precipitated asphaltene is separated and used as the catalyst for hydrocracking a new batch of non-hydrocracked oil. The coke and asphaltene mixture provides as effective a catalyst as the original metal soap catalyst precursor. The coke and asphaltene mixture recovered from a second stage of coke and asphaltene mixture catalysed hydrocracking of heavy oil is still an effective catalyst and can be used again without significant loss in catalytic activity.

Abstract: In a method for reducing hydrogen chloride emissions from an asphalt blowing process, ferric chloride and/or ferrous chloride are added to the asphalt. A chemical modifier is also added to the asphalt. The asphalt is subjected to a blowing process which produces hydrogen chloride emissions. The addition of the chemical modifier reduces the hydrogen chloride emissions by at least 25% compared to the same process without the addition of the chemical modifier. The addition of the ferric chloride and/or ferrous chloride provides beneficial effects such as increased blowing rate and increased final penetration of the asphalt. Preferably, the addition of the chemical modifier does not significantly reduce these beneficial effects.

Abstract: A petroleum derived oil is subjected to propane deasphalting to yield a solid asphaltene residue. The residue is crushed to 425 micron diameter particle or less at a crushing temperature in the range of 77.degree. F. to 122.degree. F. The asphaltene particles are suspended in a residual petroleum oil emulsion. The resulting suspension comprises 5 wt % to 40 wt % asphaltene particles. The 40 wt % asphaltene suspensions are boiler fuel. The 5 wt % asphaltene suspensions are gasified with a deficit of oxygen to produce synthesis gas. The suspensions are stable and transportable by pumping through a pipeline.

Abstract: A process for reducing the mutagenicity of a coal-tar-based product containing polynuclear aromatic compounds. The process includes the step of contacting the coal-tar-based product in the presence of an alkylating agent with an acid catalyst under alkylation conditions sufficient to reduce the mutagenicity of the polynuclear aromatic containing coal-tar-based material to a level less than the initial mutagenicity index value. Also provided are non-carcinogenic coal-tar-derived products.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of a pitch foam with a microcellular structure and a uniform pore size comprises the steps of (a) pressing a quantity of a pitch to provide a pressed article, (b) placing the pressed article in a pressure vessel, (c) introducing an inert gas into the pressure vessel under an elevated pressure of about 200 to 500 psi, (d) heating the pressed article within the pressure vessel to about 10.degree. to 40.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crude oils and products derived therefrom, comprising, as asphaltene-dispersing agent, sarcosinates of the formula (I) ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is C.sub.7 -C.sub.21 -alkyl or -alkenyl andR.sub.2 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 -alkyl.Precipitating out of asphaltenes is prevented by these dispersing agents.

Abstract: A method for preparing a modified optically isotropic pitch comprising, preparing a synthetic pitch by reacting a member selected from the group consisting of a conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbon containing a low molecular weight alkyl group or a material containing such a substituted hydrocarbon in the presence of hydrofluoric acid/boron trifluoride, and treating the synthetic pitch by passing an oxidizing gas through the synthetic pitch at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A process for the thermal conversion of the organic component associated with tar sands to lower boiling, higher value products. The conversion is achieved by subjecting the organic component containing from about 1 to 20 wt. % native solids to elevated temperatures and pressures. Compared to conventional thermal conversion processes, such as visbreaking, much higher conversion of the organic component can be achieved owing to the presence of native solids on which coke is deposited instead of fouling the process equipment. This higher conversion is also associated with enhanced removal of sulfur and metals.

Abstract: An electrorheological fluid is constituted by using a dispersed phase of a carbonaceous powder having an oxygen content above 10% by weight but not more than 20% by weight and having an average particle diameter of 0.01-100 .mu.m, obtained by:heat-polymerizing a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound containing a main component of naphthalene by using HF/BF.sub.3 as a catalyst to obtain a 100% meso-phase pitch having a softening point within a range of 150.degree.-400.degree. C.;heat-treating and making the pitch infusible in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature not more than a fusing temperature of the pitch and not less than 50.degree. C. but not more than 400.degree. C. to allow the pitch to have an oxygen content of 12-25% by weight; and thenheat-treating and carbonizing the pitch in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature not less than 300.degree. C. but not more than 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A coal tar pitch/petroleum pitch blend is disclosed together with a method of making the same. In accordance with the invention, a crude coal tar material is selected according to specific properties including QI, specific gravity, water and ash content. A petroleum pitch material is also selected according to its softening point, QI, coking value and sulfur content. The coal tar pitch is distilled to a uncharacteristically high softening point which is then mixed with the petroleum pitch to a desired softening end point. The material retains significant QI and coking value characteristics of pure coal tar pitch particularly for use in Soderberg-type anodes for aluminum smelting as well as electric arc furnace electrodes. PAH emissions, and more specifically B(a)P equivalent emissions, are all reduced by approximately 40%.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for producing a metals containing anisotropic pitch product suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. Soluble-aromatic, organometallic compounds are added to a carbonaceous feedstock substantially free of mesophase pitch and the resulting composition is heat soaked preferably with gas sparge to produce a metals containing mesophase pitch.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a process for producing needle coke, which comprises reducing the ash content in a heavy oil obtained from fluid catalytic cracking of petroleum or in a hydrocarbon material mainly composed of said heavy oil to not more than 0.01 wt % by means of (1) filtration, (2) centrifugation, (3) electrostatic aggregation or (4) a combination thereof, and coking the thus treated heavy oil or hydrocarbon material with an ash content of not more than 0.01 wt %; and a needle coke produced by coking a heavy oil obtained from fluid catalytic cracking of petroleum or a hydrocarbon material mainly composed of said heavy oil.

Abstract: A unitary composite structure having improved flexural strength and a reduced coefficient of thermal expansion comprising a heterogeneous combination of a carbonaceous reinforcing material interbonded with a matrix material, wherein the said matrix material is a poorly graphitizing carbonaceous pitch containing polymerized and cross-linked aromatic components is disclosed. Graphite electrodes comprised of the poorly graphitized pitch matrix material acting as a binder and/or an impregnant are also disclosed. Processes for the preparation of the poorly graphitizing pitch, the composite structure, and particularly the graphite electrodes are disclosed as well.

Abstract: In a process for detoxifying a coal-tar deposit, effective amounts of carbon and a calcium oxide containing substance are added at a mixing station to at least a portion of the coal-tar deposit. The reaction mixture thus formed is mixed at a temperature of about 70.degree. F. to 130.degree. F. for a time sufficient to detoxify it and convert it into a non-hazardous reaction product. The coal-tar deposit may be either a substantially homogeneous coal-tar or a heterogeneous coal-tar contaminated substrate. The mixing station site may be either subsurface or surface and may include a container. The non-hazardous reaction product may be separated into small particles, suitable as fuel, and large particles, suitable as safe fill.

Abstract: Mesophase pitch that has a softening point of no more than 250.degree. C., a pyridine-insolubles content of no more than 50% and a n-heptane solubles content of 3-10%, with the n-heptane solubles experiencing a weight loss of no more than 15% at 450.degree. C. as measured by thermogravimetry is produced by polymerizing a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or a substance containing it in the presence of HF and BF.sub.3. This mesophase pitch is suppressed satisfactorily in its tendency to smoke during spinning and, additionally, it has a low enough softening point to exhibit outstanding spinnability. Hence, the pitch allows for high-volume spinning to be performed continuously for a prolonged time without causing extensive fouling of the surface of spinning nozzles.

Abstract: This procedure includes detecting and rejecting the used mineral motor oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and/or polychlorinated triphenyls (PCT's) before filtering; before the decantation and/or distillation step, if necessary, submitting the used mineral motor oil to thermal shock treatment. In the recycling process, stabilizing the used mineral motor oils that normally contain heavy metals by adding to bitumen, using 0 to 15 percent of used mineral motor oil and a minimum of 85 percent bitumen for bituminous pavements and 1 to 20 percent of used mineral motor oils and a minimum of 80 percent bitumen for bitumen emulsions and paints. Also in the recycling process the used mineral motor oils are mixed with bitumen and paraffinic elastomers, stabilizing the heavy metals contained in the used mineral motor oils, getting usual bituminous pavements, self-draining bituminous pavements, sport pavements, etc. EPM EPDM or butyl rubber are used as paraffinic elastomers.

Abstract: A modified or bridged asphalt composition. The composition can be obtained by treating at least one asphalt base with an acid-derived compound having at least two functional groups capable, respectively, of being grafted onto one or more sites located on two or more different aromatic entities of the asphalt base, so as to link said entities by bridging.

Abstract: Filled thermoplastic pitch comprising particulate filler and advanced mesophase pitch having a TMA deformation temperature of at least 400.degree. C., and a method for the manufacture thereof. The filled thermoplastic pitch may be shaped and densified in one or more thermoforming operations. The resulting preform may be thermoset and carbonized in ordinary baking operations without requiring molds and pressurized vessels.

Abstract: In a method for reducing emissions from an asphalt blowing process, an emission reducing additive is added to the asphalt prior to blowing, or early in the blowing process. The emission reducing additive is added in an amount sufficient to reduce the SO.sub.x emissions from the blowing process by at least 25 percent by weight when compared with the same process without the emission reducing additive. The emission reducing additive includes at least two compounds selected from metal hydroxides, metal oxides, metal carbonates and metal bicarbonates, where the metal is selected from sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and aluminum.

Abstract: A process for preparing nitrogen-containing isotropic pitch, comprising the steps of mixing a petroleum heavy oil, a nitrating reagent and water to prepare a homogeneous dispersion, thereby contacting the petroleum heavy oil with the nitrating reagent in the homogeneous dispersion state to prepare a crude nitrated heavy oil, and subjecting the crude nitrated heavy oil to refining, thermal polymerization and vacuum distillation. According to the process of the invention, a petroleum heavy oil containing a large amount of light oil components and being liquid at ordinary temperature, from which pitch has been hardly prepared conventionally, is used as a starting material for preparing pitch, and there can be obtained nitrogen-containing isotropic pitch of homogeneity and high quality having a desired softening point of from a low softening point to a high softening point, though such pitch was unable to be obtained so far.

Abstract: Self-adhesive carbonaceous grains for use in the production of high density carbon artifacts and high performance carbon-carbon composites are made by processes such as oxidation and heat treatment of specific mesophase pitches. The present carbonaceous grains exhibit excellent binding properties, shape stability when molded, and high density with higher carbonization yield, providing very high strength artifacts when their properties fall within the specific range of properties defined by their H/C and O/C values. High density carbon artifacts can be easily obtained by molding the grains and carbonizing or graphitizing the same.

Abstract: This application relates to a process for making carbon artifacts from solvated mesophase pitch comprising quinoline insoluble materials. The process has a significant advantage over the art as it permits the use of otherwise unusable pitch feedstocks and the artifacts formed according to the process retain their structural integrity during carbonization. This invention also relates to the pitch formed by this process and carbon artifacts formed by this process.

Abstract: This invention relates to low melting solvated mesophase pitches which are suitable for spinning into carbon fibers. The solvated mesophase pitches have a lower melting point than conventional mesophase pitch but remain substantially anisotropic. The solvated mesophase can be produced as an intermediate during solvent fractionation or supercritical solvent fractionation of mesogen-containing isotropic pitches. The process is enhanced through the ability to recover pseudomesogens with an increased average molecular weight which, in combination with the solvent content, provides a fusible mesophase capable of being spun directly into infusible oriented anisotropic carbon fibers.

Abstract: A method for reducing the viscosity of viscous petroleum liquids, such as heavy crude oil and bitumen, is disclosed. The method is appropriate for use with viscous petroleum liquids that contain sulfur-bearing heterocycles, the physicochemical properties of the heterocycles contributing significantly to the viscosity of the liquid. The method comprises contacting the viscous petroleum liquid with a biocatalyst that converts sulfur-bearing heterocycles into molecules that lack physicochemical properties condusive to viscosity. The biocatalyst works in a sulfur-specific manner, such that the sulfur-bearing heterocycle is altered at the sulfur heteroatom thereof. Through biocatalysis, carbon-sulfur bonds are cleaved and/or polar substituents such as hydroxyl groups are joined to the sulfur heteroatom, the hydrocarbon framework of the sulfur-bearing heterocycle, or both. Preferred biocatalysts for viscosity reduction include preparations of Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC No.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically isotropic reformed pitch useful for various carbon materials is provided. This process comprises mixing a pitch having a ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon fa of more than 0.6 with a strong Lewis acid and a co-solvent so as to give a mol ratio of the said Lewis acid to the said pitch in the range of 0.3.about.5.0 and a mol ratio of the said co-solvent to the said pitch in the range of ratio of 2.5.about.50, reacting the mixture at a temperature of 100.degree..about.300.degree. C. and removing the Lewis acid and the co-solvent from the reaction product. Meso-Carbon microbeads having a uniform diameter of 20 .mu.m or less can be produced at a high yield of 60% or more by heat treating the said reformed pitch at 200.degree..about.380.degree. C. to produce the optically anisotropic small spheres and separating them from an optically isotropic matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining a very clean mesophase pitch from isotropic pitch. This invention utilizes a solvent fractionation process which does not involve the process steps, yield loss and waste generation associated with fluxing and filtering the isotropic pitch. Additionally, this invention provides a liquid/liquid extraction process that avoids the solids handling and the high temperatures and pressures of supercritical fluid extraction. Finally, this invention controls the hardness of the mesophase product.

Abstract: Pitch-based carbon fibers superior in compression characteristics are obtained by mixing a polycyclic aromatic compound and a hydrogen donating compound at a mole ratio of the latter to the former in the range of 0.1 to 10, polymerizing the resulting mixture at a temperature of 50.degree. to 400.degree. C. in the presence of a Lewis acid as catalyst, then removing the catalyst, thereafter heat-treating the resulting polymer to obtain a pitch containing 5-40% of anisotropic spheres of 5-60 .mu.m, having a total amount of aliphatic hydrogen of 25-50% and an amount of aliphatic hydrogen after .beta. of 5-25% and containing not more than 30% of oriented carbon based on a total amount of aromatic carbon, then spinning said pitch, then making the resulting pitch fiber infusible and subjecting the pitch fiber thus rendered infusible to a carbonization treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing mesophase pitch in high yields. The process of the invention comprises isolating a heavy fraction of a heat soaked pitch by a solvent extraction, heat soaking the isolated heavy fraction to increase the size and number of larger heavy aromatics, and isolating the larger heavy aromatics by solvent extraction to obtain a larger heavy aromatic solvated mesophase pitch.

Abstract: A unitary composite structure having improved flexural strength and a reduced coefficient of thermal expansion comprising a heterogeneous combination of a carbonaceous reinforcing material interbonded with a matrix material, wherein the said matrix material is a poorly graphitizing carbonaceous pitch containing polymerized and cross-linked aromatic components is disclosed. Graphite electrodes comprised of the poorly graphitized pitch matrix material acting as a binder and/or an impregnant are also disclosed. Processes for the preparation of the poorly graphitizing pitch, the composite structure, and particularly the graphite electrodes are disclosed as well.