Abstract: Minimum content asphalt-in-water emulsions are prepared employing conductivity measurements. An emulsifying agent e.g., soap and water, a pH adjusting agent e.g., hydrochloric acid, to adjust the pH to be in the approximate range up from about 3 to about 5, and an ionizing salt are brought together and heated to a suitable blending temperature and then blended with asphalt also heated to such a temperature. A method for optimizing conditions to obtain optimum asphalts is set forth.

Abstract: Bituminous compositions suitable for road paving materials characterized by a Penetration Ratio of at least 25 and a minimum viscosity at 275.degree. F. in the range from about 50 Saybolt Furol Seconds to about 120 Saybolt Furol Seconds, depending upon the penetration grade of the bituminous material, are produced by blending a vacuum-reduced naphthenic asphalt and a residual asphalt having a lower penetration but a higher viscosity than the vacuum-reduced naphthenic asphalt.

Abstract: Surface hardening or skin formation on asphalts stored at temperatures in excess of 170.degree.C is inhibited by the addition of (a) dodecylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol; (b) calcium petroleum sulfonate; (c) 2,6-ditertiarybutyl-p-phenol; or (d) 2,6-ditertiarybutyl-p-phenol in combination with stearic acid.

Abstract: A heavy hydrocarbon feedstock is upgraded by at least one of the processes of desulfurization, decreasing carbon residues, increasing API gravity, and liquefaction of solid feedstock by reacting the feedstock at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of carbon monoxide and in the presence of a catalytically active metal. In one embodiment the active metallic catalyst is associated with minor amounts of alkali or alkaline earth metals to minimize promotion of cracking side reactions. In a preferred embodiment a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock is upgraded in the presence of the catalyst system formed from a barium salt which has been deposited on cobalt molybdate dispersed on an alumina support.