Abstract: The present invention provides a way to process heavier hydrocarbons in a relatively low cost and low pressure process using a combination of superheated steam and at least one reaction gas to i) promote oxidation and thermal reaction of heavier hydrocarbons, while simultaneously ii) removing volatile components with a steam stripping process.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving high temperature performance grade properties of polymer-modified, vulcanized asphalt by treating an asphalt cement under mild oxidizing conditions sufficient to provide a change in viscosity per hour as measured at 140° C. of less than about 500 poises per hour, of said asphalt cement, adding 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of a polymer based on weight of said asphalt cement, and vulcanizing the polymer-containing asphalt cement. The invention further relates to asphalt compositions thus made and paving compositions containing these asphalt compositions.

Abstract: A sealer base comprising at least one anti-wear agent comprising aliphatic carboxylic acids and aliphatic polyamides is disclosed.

Abstract: Fractions derived from a high sulfur content crude oil, having a sulfur content of about 2 wt. % or greater, is hydrotreated to produce a petroleum pitch not only having a low sulfur content of about 1 wt % or less but also a low polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content of about 13,000 mg/kg or less.

Abstract: An asphalt based sealer for driveways and the like is disclosed. The material uses a blend of solvent deasphalted (SDA) asphalt blended with a cutter stock as the binder or sealer base. Driveway sealer (an emulsion of clay, water and binder) made with this binder has acceptable durability and can be essentially free of coal tar pitch, greatly reducing the toxicity and odor of the sealer.

Abstract: A 40 petroleum pitch is disclosed. A high melting point petroleum pitch is blended with a high boiling normally liquid petroleum derived hydrocarbon stream to form a mixture having a softening point of 35-45 C. as a partial or complete replacement for coal tar pitch used in driveway sealer and other sealer applications. Driveway sealer (an emulsion of clay, water and binder) made with A 40 has excellent durability and can have a greatly reduced amount of, or be essentially free of, coal tar pitch, greatly reducing the toxicity and odor of the sealer.

Abstract: A better asphalt based sealer for driveways and the like is disclosed. The material uses as a hybrid sealer base or binder comprising a blend of pitch, asphaltic material and cut-back oil as a partial or complete replacement for pure coal tar materials. Driveway sealer (an emulsion of clay, water and binder) made with this hybrid binder has significantly better durability and color than like materials made with a binder of asphalt and cut-back oil. The hybrid binder has less odor and fewer toxins than a binder made of pure coal tar material.

Abstract: A high coking value pitch with a relatively low softening point is disclosed. A pitch is distilled or thermally processed to produce an intermediate pitch with an increased coking value and relatively high softening point, then blended with a cutter solvent of a liquid hydrocarbon stream to form a product pitch. The process may be used to increase the coking value of either petroleum or coal tar pitch. Preferably the cutter solvent is methylnaphthalene, or a highly aromatic, low viscosity oil or similar aromatic rich stream having a substantially lower boiling point than the intermediate pitch product.

Abstract: An asphalt blend composition containing an asphalt component and a bottoms fraction from a used motor vaporization process of the above process, and a pavement composition comprising aggregate and the asphalt blend composition. The process comprises directly contacting used lubricating oil with a heated vapor, e.g., steam, under conditions which at least partially decompose the organo-metallic component and provide a desired volume of pumpable bottoms containing organo-metallic compound decomposition products and an overhead comprising gases and distillatable hydrocarbons, with no substantial carryover of metals into the overhead. The process may be carried out under conditions which minimize decomposition of high molecular weight additives such as VI improvers.

Abstract: A low softening point pitch is disclosed. A high melting point (100° C.+) pitch is blended with an aromatic rich liquid hydrocarbon stream to form a pourable pitch mixture having a softening point of 30-50° C. which can be used as a partial or complete replacement for coal tar pitch used in driveway sealer and other sealer and coating applications. Driveway sealer (an emulsion of clay, water and binder) made with this pitch has enhanced durability. The low softening point pitch, even when blended with coal tar pitch, is phase stable on storage.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving high temperature performance grade properties of unblown asphalt by i) heating an asphalt cement to 200.degree. F. to 500.degree. F. (93.degree. C. to 260.degree. C.), ii) adding 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer based on weight of said asphalt cement to the heated asphalt cement, iii) adding 0.05 wt. % to 1.0 wt. % phosphorus-containing acid, e.g., polyphosphoric acid, based on weight of said asphalt cement and iv) mixing the resulting blend, thereby providing an unblown asphalt composition of greater useful temperature index (UTI). The invention further relates to asphalt compositions thus made and paving compositions containing these asphalt compositions.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering lube oil base stocks from used lubricating oil formulations containing base oil stock and organo-metallic component which obviates preseparation of water and light hydrocarbons contaminants. The process comprises directly contacting used lubricating oil with a heated vapor, e.g., steam, under conditions which at least partially decompose the organo-metallic component and provide a desired volume of pumpable bottoms containing organo-metallic compound decomposition products and an overhead comprising gases and distillatable hydrocarbons, with no substantial carryover of metals into the overhead. The process may be carried out under conditions which minimize decomposition of high molecular weight additives such as VI improvers, to provide a bottoms fraction which may be added to asphalt or fuel oil.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving high temperature performance grade properties of asphalt which comprises i) heating an asphalt cement to 200 to 500.degree. F. (93 to 260.degree. C.), ii) adding 1 to 10 wt. % crosslinkable polymer, e.g., styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer based on weight of said asphalt cement, iii) adding a useful temperature index (UTI) improving amount of dioxime(s) of 1,4-benzoquinone and its derivatives and optionally, free radical initiator, e.g., organic peroxide, and iv) mixing the resulting blend, thereby providing a paving asphalt having a greater useful temperature index (UTI) than a corresponding blend to which no dioxime is added. The invention further relates to asphalt compositions thus made and paving compositions containing these asphalt compositions.

Abstract: An asphalt composition is provided which contains i) an asphalt component containing solvent-deasphalted bottoms, ii) a rerefined lube bottoms fraction, iii) an optional fluxing component, and iv) an optional vacuum bottoms component. The invention further relates to a method of preparing the asphalt composition and a paving composition containing same.

Abstract: An environmentally improved asphalt paving composition which contains a solvent-precipitated asphaltene, such as solvent deasphalting bottoms, and a viscosity reducing amount of paraffinic fluxing component, e.g., 325 Neutral Oil.