Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that activated carbon can be used to sequester polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that may be present in asphalt and creosote compositions. The treatment of asphalt and creosote compositions with activated carbon accordingly reduces the level of free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in such compositions by sequestering them therein or removing them from the composition. After being sequestered the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons remain trapped in the asphalt or creosote composition, and are not available to the environment during normal processing into useful industrial products. This sequestration reduces the risk of exposing humans and the environment to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which would otherwise be free to migrate from the asphalt or creosote product during manufacturing and the service life of the product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an organically functionalized layered double hydroxide which comprises reacting (a) a layered double hydroxide, (b) a triglyceride oil, (c) an enzyme which is capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of an ester, and (d) water, to produce the organically functionalized layered double hydroxide. The subject invention further reveals a method for preparing an organically functionalized layered double hydroxide as specified in claim 1 which comprises (1) dispersing into an aqueous medium (a) the layered double hydroxide, (b) the triglyceride oil, and (c) the enzyme, (2) allowing the triglyceride oil to hydrolyze into long-chain fatty acids and glycerol to produce a dispersion of the organically functionalized layered double hydroxide; and (3) recovering the organically functionalized layered double hydroxide from the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that a hydroxylated carboxylic acids which contain at least 17 carbon atoms and alkaline earth metal salts thereof, such as zinc ricinoleate, act effectively as deodorants in asphalt and asphalt containing compositions. The present invention more specifically discloses an asphalt additive composition which is comprised of (1) an asphalt, (2) 0.05 weight percent to about 4 weight percent of a partitioning agent, and (3) at least 0.1 weight percent of a deodorant selected from the group consisting of (a) a hydroxylated carboxylic acid which contains at least 17 carbon atoms and (b) an alkaline earth metal salt of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid which contains at least 17 carbon atoms. In many applications it is beneficial for the asphalt additive composition to further include 0.5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of a polymer additive.