Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the removal and/or recovery of a target metal from a liquid sample, said process comprising: [1] applying acoustic cavitation to the liquid; and [2] adding an iron (II) salt, or a precursor form thereof, to the liquid sample and allowing Fenton oxidation reaction to occur between the iron and hydrogen peroxide in the liquid, thereby producing hydroxyl radicals; thereby producing a target metal salt or metal oxide having a reduced solubility in the liquid sample, leading to removal of the target metal from the liquid sample. The use of metal ligands in such processes is also described, as well as systems for performing such processes. Methods, processes, and systems for removing organic contaminants from a liquid sample are also described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting the properties of an asphalt fraction that contains two or more asphalt components based on measurements of the viscosity versus temperature profile for the components of the asphalt fraction. The viscosity versus temperature profile for each component can be used to determine characteristic (such as limiting) values for the viscosity and temperature for a component. Based on this ability to determine characteristic values for an asphalt blend based on the properties of individual blend components, appropriate blends of asphalts can be selected in order to arrive at an asphalt blend with desired properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an industrial asphalt comprising sparging an oxygen containing gas through an asphalt flux in the presence of 0.25 weight percent to about 12 weight percent of a highly saturated rubbery polymer at a temperature within the range of about 400° F. to about 550° F. for a period of time which is sufficient to increase the softening point of the asphalt flux to a value which is within the range of 185° F. to 250° F. and a penetration value of at least 15 dmm to produce the industrial asphalt. The highly saturated rubbery polymer can be a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer rubber or a highly saturated styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer rubber.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly found that the solvent extracted aromatic cut of heavy vacuum gas oil can be oxidized to produce an adhesive composition that has all the needed attributes of a self seal adhesive for asphalt roofing shingles. This self seal adhesive composition offers numerous benefits and advantages over conventional self seal adhesives for roofing applications. For instance, it does not require any volatile organic solvents and is accordingly environmentally friendly. Additionally, it does not contain any asphalt or polymers and will not phase separate and accordingly offers excellent long term stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an industrial asphalt comprising (1) heating an asphalt flux to a temperature which is within the range of about 400° F. (204° C.) to 550° F. (288° C.) to produce a hot asphalt flux, (2) sparging an oxygen containing gas through the hot asphalt flux for a period of time which is sufficient to increase the softening point of the asphalt flux to a value of at least 100° F. (38° C.), to produce an underblown asphalt composition; and (3) mixing a sufficient amount of a polyphosphoric acid throughout the underblown asphalt composition while the underblown asphalt composition is maintained at a temperature which is within the range of 200° F. (93° C.) to 550° F. (288° C.) to attain a softening point which is within the range of 185° F. (85° C.) to 250° F. (121° C.) and a penetration value of at least 15 dmm at 77° F. (25° C.) to produce the industrial asphalt.

Abstract: A method for processing asphaltenes is disclosed. The method can include separating asphaltenes from an asphaltene-containing composition and oxidizing the separated asphaltenes to form oxidation products. Alternatively, the method can include oxidizing asphaltenes within an asphaltene-containing composition without first separating the asphaltenes. Once formed, the oxidation products can be combined with other hydrocarbons. The amount of oxidation can be limited to an amount sufficient to produce a mixture suitable for the desired application. This method can be used to upgrade asphaltenes from a variety of sources, including oil sands. The oxidation step can be performed, for example, by introducing an oxidizing agent and, in some cases, a catalyst into the asphaltenes. A solvent or miscibility agent also can be introduced to improve mixing between the oxidizing agent and the asphaltenes.

Abstract: A method for processing asphaltenes is disclosed. The method can include separating asphaltenes from an asphaltene-containing composition and oxidizing the separated asphaltenes to form oxidation products. Alternatively, the method can include oxidizing asphaltenes within an asphaltene-containing composition without first separating the asphaltenes. Once formed, the oxidation products can be combined with other hydrocarbons. The amount of oxidation can be limited to an amount sufficient to produce a mixture suitable for the desired application. This method can be used to upgrade asphaltenes from a variety of sources, including oil sands. The oxidation step can be performed, for example, by introducing an oxidizing agent and, in some cases, a catalyst into the asphaltenes. A solvent or miscibility agent also can be introduced to improve mixing between the oxidizing agent and the asphaltenes.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process to produce liquid products through the hydroprocessing of hydrocarbonaceous feedstreams in the presence of a bulk metal hydroprocessing catalyst.

Abstract: A method for determination for a given oil the relative stability of a water-in-oil emulsion that will be formed by that oil with water comprises measuring for the given oil the weight percent asphaltenes (A), total acid number (TAN), and ratio of the amount of naphthenic acids in the 450+ molecular weight to 450 molecular weight range (R); calculating an emulsion stability parameter, S=A+TAN*R; and determining whether the emulsion stability parameter, S, is greater than about 3; with a value above 3 being determinative of an emulsion more stable than one with a value less than 3.

Abstract: The invention includes a compositon of matter comprising a heavy oil having dispersed therein surface modified solid wherein said surface modified solids comprise solids having adsorbed thereon air oxidized polar hydrocarbons from said heavy oil and wherein said surface modified solids have a diameter of about 10 microns or less and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: The invention includes a compositon of matter comprising a heavy oil having dispersed therein surface modified solid wherein said surface modified solids comprise solids having adsorbed thereon air oxidized polar hydrocarbons from said heavy oil and wherein said surface modified solids have a diameter of about 10 microns or less and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: The invention includes a compositon of matter comprising a heavy oil having dispersed therein surface modified solid wherein said surface modified solids comprise solids having adsorbed thereon air oxidized polar hydrocarbons from said heavy oil and wherein said surface modified solids have a diameter of about 10 microns or less and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: In a method for reducing hydrogen chloride emissions from an asphalt air-blowing process, an asphalt is subjected to an air-blowing process where air is bubbled through hot asphalt to raise the softening point of the asphalt. The fumes from the air-blowing process are bubbled through a liquid seal in a knockout tank before going to an incinerator and finally being emitted to the atmosphere. The knockout tank normally operates to condense oil in the fume stream, and the liquid seal is composed of this oil, as well as some of the water evolved in the air-blowing process. When using ferric chloride or ferrous chloride as a catalyst in the air-blowing process, the fume stream contains significant levels of hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: The invention includes a compositon of matter comprising a heavy oil having dispersed therein surface modified solid wherein said surface modified solids comprise solids having adsorbed thereon air oxidized polar hydrocarbons from said heavy oil and wherein said surface modified solids have a diameter of about 10 microns or less and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: The process permits to produce bitumens having a high penetration value by oxidation of base bitumens with small volumes of gaseous oxidizers, preferably air, at a temperature between 170.degree. and 250.degree., preferably 200.degree. C., by turbodispersion of the gaseous phase in the bituminous mass by means of a rapid turbodisperser.By adding appropriate fluxes and operating in the presence of catalysts, the technological characteristics of the end product can be varied until obtaining blends of bitumens that are adapted for new applications.The turbodisperser is provided with an impeller constituted by a plane disk carrying on its periphery a series of teeth made preferably with the active side located on the diameter of the impeller and the angle at the vertex greater than 45.degree..

Abstract: Method of producing a baseoil having a reduced coking tendency by removing precursors from the baseoil. Baseoil having reduced coking tendencies which comprises a substantially no coking precursors therein.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion catalyst containing a Group VIB metal on a porous refractory oxide is prepared by impregnating support particles with a solution containing Group VIB metal components and citric acid, followed by drying and calcining. The catalyst is useful for promoting a number of hydrocarbon conversion reactions, particularly those involving hydrogenative desulfurization, demetallization and denitrogenation.

Abstract: A combination process of oxidation/mild coking and in-situ deasphalting provides a process wherein upgraded crude with high levels of demetalation and low solids rejection is produced.

Abstract: Sodium carbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate and other carbonate catalysts ground to fine particle sizes (95% plus passing through a 200 mesh sieve (75 .mu.m) are more active than commercially available grades of such catalysts when oxidizing asphalt fluxes, permitting reduction in oxidation time, reduction in required catalyst quantities and improvement in product quality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing high grade asphaltic materials from low grade bituminous materials and the improved products resulting therefrom. More particularly, there is disclosed a process utilizing a particular type of oxidation catalyst in preparing novel high quality paving grade asphalt cements and novel roofing grade asphalts from poor and marginal quality bituminous materials. Also, the process can be used to prepare novel superior quality asphaltic materials from good quality bituminous flux feedstocks. This process consists of catalytically oxidizing asphalt fluxes, for example, in a single or multi-stage oxidation, using the particular type of catalyst disclosed hereinafter in each stage to chemically modify the flux so that the resultant asphaltic material meets physical requirements necessary for a finished product possessing good temperature susceptibility characteristics.

Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbons are oxidized in the presence of an inorganic salt promoter.

Abstract: A method for making pitch from petroleum bottoms fractions by air blowing in the presence of about 1 percent by weight of metallic sodium. The method reduces processing time by about one-third and the product is of the desired high density of about 1.25 g/ml. to above 1.30 g/ml. at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A process having a particular sequence of steps, each under specified conditions, for preparing a petroleum pitch binder suitable for electrodes used in smelting aluminum is disclosed. In the essential steps of the invention a decant oil petroleum fraction is heat treated under pressure, the treated material is flashed to a lower pressure, and finally the material is oxy-activated under elevated temperature conditions to form a petroleum pitch having the desired properties.

Abstract: A process having a specified sequence of steps for preparing a petroleum pitch binder suitable for electrodes used in smelting aluminum is disclosed, in which a decant oil petroleum fraction is oxy-activated under specified conditions of temperature, pressure, and time, then heat treated under other specified conditions, and finally distilled under specified conditions to form a petroleum pitch having desired properties.