Abstract: A process is described for preparing a water-soluble sulphonated dispersant from a petroleum hydrocracking residue comprising: contacting a petroleum hydrocracking residue boiling above 524.degree. C. with concentrated sulphuric acid, oleum or sulphur trioxide to form a sulphonated mixture containing water soluble and water insoluble products, and separating the water soluble sulphonated product from the mixture. The mixture of water soluble and water insoluble sulphonated products is neutralized with alkali and evaporated to dryness, after which the dried mixture is extracted with alcohol to leave a water soluble product. The product can be used as a water reducer or superplasticizer in concrete.

Abstract: A novel catalyst has been provided for the selective hydrogenation of benzene in gasoline. The catalyst mixture comprises a water-soluble, organo-metallic, selective benzene hydrogenation catalyst comprising catalytically-active mixture of (A) M[L].sub.x [X].sub.y wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, La and Ce; L is an aromatic hydrocarbon, e.g., benzene, diphenyl, etc., or a diaromatic hydrocarbon, e.g., naphthalene; X is a halogen; x is an integer from 1 to 10 inclusive; and y is an integer from 1 to 10 inclusive; and (B) tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I)halide or tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(I)halide. In use the process comprises admixing the gasoline with water. The above-identified water-soluble, organo-metallic selective benzene hydrogenation catalyst mixture is then added. A catalytic hydrogenation is then carried out in a hydrogenation zone at a temperature of about 150.degree. to about 245.degree. C.

Abstract: Novel bituminous coating compositions, bituminous paving compositions and asphaltic compositions are provided herein. These compositions have, in common, from about 0.1% to about 8% by weight of a nitrogen-containing, adhesion-improving, anti-stripping agent therein. Such agent is a sewage sludge-derived oil, or a fraction thereof, which comprises a mixture of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, monoaromatic hydrocarbons, diaromatic hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polar compounds and basic, pyridine-soluble compounds having the following elemental composition: nitrogen, about 3.4% to about 5% by weight; oxygen, about 5.8% to about 6.9% by weight; sulfur, about 0.3% to about 0.8% by weight; hydrogen, about 9.7% to about 10.4% by weight; and carbon, about 76.9% to about 79.8% by weight.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for the selective hydrogenation of benzene in a solution of gasoline and other aromatic organic compounds. The process includes the steps of carrying out the catalytic hydrogenation in a hydrogenation zone at a temperature of about 45.degree. to about 250.degree. C. at a pressure of about 200 psi to about 500 psi in a biphasic system of aqueous and organic liquids the hydrogenation catalyst being water-soluble. The organic liquid is removed from the hydrogenation zone. At least a catalytic amount of the catalyst is retained in the hydrogenation zone. The catalyst above described is also a facet of this invention.

Abstract: A novel asphaltic composition is provided herein. The composition consists of comminuted aged asphaltic pavement material and an effective amount, from about 2% to about 15% by weight of a blend of a soft asphalt cement, a conventional asphalt cement, or a cutback asphalt, with a nitrogen-containing, adhesion-improving, anti-stripping agent comprising a sewage sludge-derived oil, or a fraction thereof, the sewage sludge-derived oil comprising a mixture of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, monoaromatic hydrocarbons, diaromatic hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polar compounds and basic, pyridene-soluble compounds, having the following elemental chemical composition: nitrogen, about 3.4% to about 5% by weight; oxygen, about 5.8% to about 6.9% by weight; sulfur, about 0.3% to about 0.8% by weight; hydrogen, about 9.7% to about 10.4%, and carbon, about 76.9% to about 79.8%.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a sewage sludge-derived oil having a particular chemical composition, to reduce its odor. The method includes the first step of distilling the sewage sludge-derived oil to 150.degree. C. to remove water and volatile organic components, and then the essential step of circulating a gas consisting essentially of carbon dioxide gas therethrough.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing cellulose membranes with pore radii less than 30.times.10.sup.-10 m, suitable for reverse osmosis applications. The method comprises dissolving a cellulosic material in a DMSO/PF solvent at a temperature about 125.degree. C. for about 90 min., cooling and casting the solution at room temperature, evaporating the solvent at a temperature of 140.degree.-180.degree. C. and gelling the resulting membrane in a protic solvent, e.g. ethanol or water.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis process is described for removing alcohols from hydrocarbons, in the additional presence of ethers. Depending on the nature of the membrane used, the methanol can be selectively removed as the membrane permeate or retained as the membrane concentrate. The membrane may be made from cellulose esters, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylidene chloride-polyvinyl chloride, etc.