A process to convert asphaltenes found in heavy hydrocarbon sources, remove the converted solid asphaltene portion from the hydrocarbon source at operating conditions and to prepare the separated solid asphaltenes for easier handling, storage or bulk transport, with a minimal amount of heavy hydrocarbon remaining with the asphaltenes to serve as an inherent binder for larger and robust formed solid asphaltene pieces.

A process to convert asphaltenes found in heavy hydrocarbon sources, remove the converted solid asphaltene portion from the hydrocarbon source at operating conditions and to prepare the separated solid asphaltenes for easier handling, storage or bulk transport, with a minimal amount of heavy hydrocarbon remaining with the asphaltenes to serve as an inherent binder for larger and robust formed solid asphaltene pieces.

The invention provides methods for pelletizing bituminous liquids by inducing endogenous asphaltenes in the liquid to form a resilient external membrane on an aliquot of the bituminous liquid, optionally with simultaneous collection of light components that result from the process of inducing endogenous asphaltene formation.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to processes for preparation of a carbon foam material, the process comprising devolatization of coal-derived pitches or extracts at atmospheric pressure near green coke temperatures, thereby forming a solid coke-like material. In a further aspect, the process can further comprise grinding the solid coke-like material to a powder, providing the ground powder to a mold, and then reheating above green coking temperature (e.g., >600 C.) to further devolatize the material and form a porous solid foam material. The process further provides carbon materials such as carbon composite materials and sp2-hybridized carbon in the form of graphene oxide or graphene. In various aspects, the disclosure relates to the carbon foam and other materials prepared using the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to processes for preparation of a carbon foam material, the process comprising devolatization of coal-derived pitches or extracts at atmospheric pressure near green coke temperatures, thereby forming a solid coke-like material. In a further aspect, the process can further comprise grinding the solid coke-like material to a powder, providing the ground powder to a mold, and then reheating above green coking temperature (e.g., >600 C.) to further devolatize the material and form a porous solid foam material. The process further provides carbon materials such as carbon composite materials and sp2-hybridized carbon in the form of graphene oxide or graphene. In various aspects, the disclosure relates to the carbon foam and other materials prepared using the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

The invention provides methods for pelletizing oil liquids by inducing endogenous asphaltenes in the liquid to form a resilient external layer on an aliquot of the bituminous liquid.

The invention provides methods for pelletizing oil liquids by inducing endogenous asphaltenes in the liquid to form a resilient external layer on an aliquot of the bituminous liquid.

The invention relates to a process for treating a hydrocarbon-based feedstock, comprising a) a step of extracting the feedstock, b) a step of separating the fraction comprising de-asphalted oil, c) an optional step of injecting a withdrawal flux into the fraction comprising asphalt, d) an optional step of separating the fraction comprising asphalt and solvent or solvent mixture obtained from the extraction step a), e) an optional step of injecting a withdrawal flux into the asphalt fraction alone or as a mixture with a withdrawal flux obtained from step d) and an integrated step of conditioning the asphalt fraction obtained from steps a) and/or c) and/or d) and/or e), in solid form, performed in successive or simultaneous substeps.

The invention relates to a process for treating a hydrocarbon-based feedstock, comprising a) a step of extracting the feedstock, b) a step of separating the fraction comprising de-asphalted oil, c) an optional step of injecting a withdrawal flux into the fraction comprising asphalt, d) an optional step of separating the fraction comprising asphalt and solvent or solvent mixture obtained from the extraction step a), e) an optional step of injecting a withdrawal flux into the asphalt fraction alone or as a mixture with a withdrawal flux obtained from step d) and an integrated step of conditioning the asphalt fraction obtained from steps a) and/or c) and/or d) and/or e), in solid form, performed in successive or simultaneous substeps.

Methods for preparing, converting, and/or transporting bitumen are provided. Asphaltene prills, prilling processes, and converted bitumen suitable for transport are disclosed. One method for preparing bitumen for transport comprises: separating asphaltene from the bitumen to generate a deasphalted oil and asphaltene; separating the asphaltene into a first asphaltene fraction and a second asphaltene fraction, the first asphaltene fraction being less soluble in deasphalted oil and the second asphaltene fraction being more soluble in deasphalted oil; and forming an asphaltene prill comprising an inner core comprising the second asphaltene fraction and an outer layer comprising the first asphaltene fraction. Asphaltene prills disclosed herein may comprise an inner core comprising an asphaltene fraction having more solubility in deasphalted oil, and an outer layer comprising an asphaltene fraction having less solubility in deasphalted oil. Methods for the transport of bitumen via a pipeline are disclosed.