Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion comprising an asphalt and purified coal product (PCP) is provided, wherein the PCP is in particulate form, and wherein at least about 90% by volume (% v) of the particles are no greater than about 25 ?m in diameter; wherein the PCP has an ash content of less than about 10 wt %. Methods are also provided for the use of PCP as a stabilizing additive in the manufacture of asphalt containing emulsions.

Abstract: Methods for of processing an oxygen containing feedstock to an amine reacted liquid or solid phase with a different solubility, polarity and/or functionality may, in various embodiments, comprise steps of contacting the amine with an oxygen containing hydrocarbon with temperature to facilitate reactions to reduce the oxygen content and modulate the solubility, polarity and/or functionality of the products.

Abstract: Methods of processing a coal-based feedstock to a high value product are provided. In one embodiment a method of processing a coal-based feedstock to a high value product, the method comprises the steps of: contacting the coal-based feedstock with one or more solvents under non-pyrolytic conditions thereby generating a liquid phase; and fractionating the liquid phase to generate at least two fractions under conditions such that at least one of the fractions is the high value product. The liquid phase may comprise 5 to 25 wt % oxygen and at least 70% of the oxygen in the liquid phase may be in the form of phenolic, carboxylic and ketone functional groups of hydrocarbon-based compounds.

Abstract: The inventive technology, in at least one embodiment, may be described as a method of destabilizing an aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion comprising the steps of: effecting contact between a sorbent and said aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion; effecting relative motion between said sorbent and said aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion; and destabilizing (perhaps in continuous fashion) the aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion. Applications include but are not limited to oil spill clean up, manufacturing of emulsions, oil refinery and production operations (anywhere along the production chain).

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method applies specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe and cost. The advantage to this method over prior art is the ability to separate and identify chemical constituents and solvent fractions based on their solvent-solubility characteristics, their high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) adsorption and desorption behaviors, and their interactions with stationary phases; and subsequently identify and quantify them at least partially using various combinations of non-destructive HPLC, destructive HPLC, and stand-alone detectors presently not routinely used for HPLC but reconfigured to obtain spectra on the fly.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method, in particular embodiments, may apply specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it extremely difficult or impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe. Particular SEC (size exclusion chromatography)-based methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be used to measure, e.g., the molecular size, weight, and/or volume, whether in absolute or relative manner, of the various components of eluate from the SEC stationary phase (e.g., a permeable gel). This analytical method is applicable on a wide variety of hydrocarbonaceous materials, and especially useful for, but not limited to oil, maltenes of oil, asphalt binders and asphalt binder blends, which may contain wide varieties of different types of additives, modifiers, and chemistries.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may involve the intentional changing of the stability of an emulsion from a first stability to a more desired, second stability upon the addition of a more aromatic asphaltene subfraction (perhaps even a most aromatic asphaltene subfraction), or a less aromatic asphaltene subfraction (perhaps even a least aromatic asphaltene subfraction) to a emulsion hydrocarbon of an oil emulsion, thereby increasing emulsion stability or decreasing emulsion stability, respectively. Precipitation and redissolution or sorbent-based techniques may be used to isolate a selected an asphaltene subfraction before its addition to an emulsion hydrocarbon when that hydrocarbon is part of an emulsion or an ingredient of a yet-to-be-formed emulsion.

Abstract: A method for determining asphaltene stability in a hydrocarbon-containing material having solvated asphaltenes therein is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, it involves the steps of: (a) precipitating an amount of the asphaltenes from a liquid sample of the hydrocarbon-containing material with an alkane mobile phase solvent in a column; (b) dissolving a first amount and a second amount of the precipitated asphaltenes by changing the alkane mobile phase solvent to a final mobile phase solvent having a solubility parameter that is higher than the alkane mobile phase solvent; (c) monitoring the concentration of eluted fractions from the column; (d) creating a solubility profile of the dissolved asphaltenes in the hydrocarbon-containing material; and (e) determining one or more asphaltene stability parameters of the hydrocarbon-containing material.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method applies specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe and cost. The advantage to this method over prior art is the ability to separate and identify chemical constituents and solvent fractions based on their solvent-solubility characteristics, their high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) adsorption and desorption behaviors, and their interactions with stationary phases; and subsequently identify and quantify them at least partially using various combinations of non-destructive HPLC, destructive HPLC, and stand-alone detectors presently not routinely used for HPLC but reconfigured to obtain spectra on the fly.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method, in particular embodiments, may apply specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it extremely difficult or impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe. Particular SEC (size exclusion chromatography)-based methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be used to measure, e.g., the molecular size, weight, and/or volume, whether in absolute or relative manner, of the various components of eluate from the SEC stationary phase (e.g., a permeable gel). This analytical method is applicable on a wide variety of hydrocarbonaceous materials, and especially useful for, but not limited to oil, maltenes of oil, asphalt binders and asphalt binder blends, which may contain wide varieties of different types of additives, modifiers, and chemistries.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the correlation of physical and/or chemical measurements with other physical and/or chemical measurements and the application of the correlation to transform a product or process (e.g., to formulate, mix, blend compounds or materials of various natures and origins) upon predicting/estimating certain property(ies) and/or performance index(ices) as indicated by a dependent variable estimate. Embodiments of the inventive technology applies specifically to the problem of producing a correlation when the independent variables of interest exceed the number of observations. This situation is common in many fields of science and technology, such as, but not limited to, spectroscopy, calorimetry, thermogravimetric, chromatography and others. A perhaps primary advantage of embodiments of the inventive method over prior art is the ability to generate correlations directly in terms of measured variables.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may involve the intentional changing of the stability of an emulsion from a first stability to a more desired, second stability upon the addition of a more aromatic asphaltene subfraction (perhaps even a most aromatic asphaltene subfraction), or a less aromatic asphaltene subfraction (perhaps even a least aromatic asphaltene subfraction) to a emulsion hydrocarbon of an oil emulsion, thereby increasing emulsion stability or decreasing emulsion stability, respectively. Precipitation and redissolution or sorbent-based techniques may be used to isolate a selected an asphaltene subfraction before its addition to an emulsion hydrocarbon when that hydrocarbon is part of an emulsion or an ingredient of a yet-to-be-formed emulsion.

Abstract: The inventive technology, in at least one embodiment, may be described as a method of destabilizing an aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion comprising the steps of: effecting contact between a sorbent and said aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion; effecting relative motion between said sorbent and said aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion; and destabilizing (perhaps in continuous fashion) the aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion. Applications include but are not limited to oil spill clean up, manufacturing of emulsions, oil refinery and production operations (anywhere along the production chain).

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may involve the intentional changing of the stability of an emulsion from a first stability to a more desired, second stability upon the addition of a more aromatic asphaltene subfraction (perhaps even a most aromatic asphaltene subfraction), or a less aromatic asphaltene subfraction (perhaps even a least aromatic asphaltene subfraction) to a emulsion hydrocarbon of an oil emulsion, thereby increasing emulsion stability or decreasing emulsion stability, respectively. Precipitation and redissolution or sorbent-based techniques may be used to isolate a selected asphaltene subfraction before its addition to an emulsion hydrocarbon when that hydrocarbon is part of an emulsion or an ingredient of a yet-to-be-formed emulsion.

Abstract: Compositions produced by forming a homogenous mass consisting of a bitumen matrix wherein a cross-linked and/or functionalized elastomer produced in situ from a precursor elastomer is dispersed in a uniform manner and makes up 0.5-30% of the weight of the bitumen matrix. The bitumen matrix is created by associating 95%-20 wt. % non oxidized bitumen having a penetrability of 20-900 and 5-80 wt. % oxidized bitumen having a penetrability of 10-90. The compositions can be used as bitumen binders in the production of coverings.

Abstract: The invention provides a method comprising contacting, between 100° C. and 230° C. and under agitation, an elastomer, a functionalising agent and optionally, a peroxide compound. The functionalising agent is a thiolcarboxylic acid polyester or a reaction product of a thiolcarboxylic acid or ester with ethylene sulphide. The functionalised elastomer can also be pre-formed, then incorporated into the bitumen. The resulting compositions are usable directly or after dilution, for forming bituminous binders to produce surfacing, coating and waterproofing materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing bitumen/polymer compositions which consists of contacting, between 100.degree. C. and 230.degree. C. and under agitation, a bitumen or a mixture of bitumens with at least one styrene and butadiene copolymer having a global butadiene content ranging between 50% and 95 wt. % and a content of butadiene 1,2 double-bond structural units ranging between 12% and 50 wt % of the copolymer, and, preferably, also a sulphuring coupling agent or a functionalizing agent. The bitumen/polymer compositions are usable, directly or after dilution, for forming bitumen/polymer binders for surfacing materials.

Abstract: Bitumen/polymer compositions are provided containing a bitumen or a mixture of bitumens and, reckoned by weight of bitumen, 0.3% to 20% of at least one primary polymer selected among certain elastomers and plastomers and 0.01% to 12% of at least one olefinic polymer bearing epoxy or COOH groupings. The compositions are useful, directly or after dilution, to form bitumen/polymer binders for carrying out road surfacing, for coated materials or waterproof coatings.

Abstract: Bitumen/polymer compositions are produced by contacting, between 100.degree. C. and 230.degree. C., under agitation, one bitumen or a mixture of bitumens with at least one olefinic polymer bearing epoxy or COOH groupings, then by incorporating in the product, an acid additive while the whole mixture is agitated at a range between 100.degree. C. and 230.degree. C. for at least 10 minutes. The product, which is subjected to treatment by the acid additive may still contain one or several additional polymers, for instance of the elastomer type cross-linkable with sulphur, and even be subjected to sulphur cross-linking before treatment. The bitumen/polymer compositions are useful directly or after dilution, to form binders for carrying out surfacing operations.

Abstract: Bitumen/polymer compositions having improved mechanical properties are produced by stirring together, at a temperature of 100-230.degree. C., a bitumen or bitumen mixture, a sulphur-curable elastomer and a polymeric additive consisting of at least one functionalized olefin copolymer and a sulphur-donating coupling agent. The bitumen/polymer compositions may be used directly or in dilute form to make bituminous binders for road surfaces, coated materials and sealing coatings.