Pavement aging can be reduced by applying to an asphalt-containing pavement a topcoat layer or a surface treatment containing asphalt binder emulsion with sterols.

Pavement aging can be reduced by applying to an asphalt-containing pavement a topcoat layer or a surface treatment containing asphalt binder emulsion with sterols.

It has been discovered that contaminants such as metals and/or amines can be transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains water-soluble C5-C12 polyhydroxy carboxylic acids, ammonium salts thereof, alkali metal salts thereof, and mixtures of all of these. The composition may also optionally include a mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. The method permits transfer of metals and/or amines into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase under-carry into the aqueous phase. Resolving the emulsion into the hydrocarbon phase and the aqueous phase occurs in a refinery desalting process using electrostatic coalescence. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing calcium and other metals therefrom. The polyhydroxy carboxylic acid additionally inhibits metal corrosion of metal pipe or other equipment used in a crude unit.

This invention encompasses asphalt cement emulsions, as well as methods for preparing a pre-treated rubber-modified asphalt cement emulsions and methods for coating industrial surfaces using asphalt cement emulsions.

This invention encompasses asphalt cement emulsions, as well as methods for preparing a pre-treated rubber-modified asphalt cement emulsions and methods for coating industrial surfaces using asphalt cement emulsions.

A pavement repair system utilizes solid phase auto regenerative cohesion and homogenization by liquid asphalt oligopolymerization technologies. The system is suitable for use in repairing asphalt pavement, including pavement exhibiting a high degree of deterioration (as manifested in the presence of potholes, cracks, ruts, or the like) as well as pavement that has been subject to previous repair and may comprise a substantial amount of dirt and other debris (e.g., chipped road paint or other damaged or disturbed surfacing materials). A system utilizing homogenization by liquid asphalt oligopolymerization is suitable for rejuvenating or repairing aged asphalt, thereby improving properties of the paving material.

The invention relates to the use, as fluxing agent for bitumen compositions, of at least one compound having the formula (I)

R.sup.1C(O)OR.sup.2 (I) where: each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be identical or different, is a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain which does not carry an unsaturated covalent bond, optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, and optionally carrying one or more hydroxyl functions.

A water-based extraction process for extracting bitumen from mined oil is provided comprising providing a water-based mixture containing bitumen; and introducing nanobubbles to the mixture to attach to bitumen and, thereby, extract the bitumen from the water-based mixture, wherein a nanobubble has a diameter of less than 5,000 nm.

The invention relates to an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an oil phase and an aqueous phase, and a primary surfactant, wherein the oil phase is dispersed in the aqueous phase, and wherein the oil-in-water emulsion has: an average droplet size distribution (D[4,3]) in the range of from 3 to 15 um and less than 3 wt % of the droplets have a particle size of greater than 125 um; a viscosity of greater than 100 and up to 700 mPas at 50 C.+10% and 20 s.sup.1+10%; and a static stability of less than 5% residue after centrifugation at 50 C.+10% and 2000 g=10% for 30 minutes+10%.

Disclosed are asphalt binder compositions that contain at least one sterol or stanol additive, or blends of sterols and stanol additives, wherein the sterol or stanol additive is derived from an animal waste or manure source such as swine manure. These sterol and stanol-based additives improve various rheological properties of the asphalt binder compositions showing reduced and/or mitigated aging characteristics.