Abstract: A novel diesel engine fuel is in the form of a pyrolysis liquid-in-diesel oil microemulsion fuel comprising: (a) diesel oil in an amount sufficient to form a continuous phase in the composition; (b) a pyrolysis liquid forming a discontinuous phase in the composition, this pyrolysis liquid being a liquid obtained by rapid pyrolysis of biomass; and (c) at least one emulsifier selected from nonionic hydrophilic surfactants with HLB between 4 and 18, derived from fatty acids and polyoxyethylene glycol, or fatty acids, sorbitol and polyoxyethylene or polyethoxylated alcohols with long aliphatic chains. This fuel has excellent stability and physical properties similar to those of regular diesel fuel.

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: 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 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: 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.