It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills (reactor columns) can be improved by filling the blow still with various types of packing material, such as metal or glass spheres (or other rigid materials). The packing material acts to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The packing material also increases the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduced blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.

It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills (reactor columns) can be improved by filling the blow still with various types of packing material, such as metal or glass spheres (or other rigid materials). The packing material acts to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The packing material also increases the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduced blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.

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.

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.

It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills can be improved by sectionalizing the blow still with perforated plates at various heights within the blow still. The perforated plates which contain a multitude of holes act to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt flux. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The perforated plates also increase the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt flux which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduce blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.

It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills can be improved by sectionalizing the blow still with perforated plates at various heights within the blow still. The perforated plates which contain a multitude of holes act to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt flux. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The perforated plates also increase the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt flux which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduce blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.

The present application relates to a method to prevent the emission of hydrogen sulphide in the production of hot bitumen or asphalt having a temperature of between 150 and 200 C., wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a bituminous or asphalt mixture, heating the mixture until a temperature of between 150-200 C. and adding an aqueous calcium nitrate solution or a calcium nitrate powder while mixing the bituminous or asphalt mixture. The present application furthermore relates to the use of an aqueous calcium nitrate solution or a calcium nitrate powder during mixing of a bituminous or asphalt mixture in the production of a hot bitumen or asphalt having a temperature of between 150 and 200 C. to prevent the emission of hydrogen sulphide.

The present application relates to a method to prevent the emission of hydrogen sulphide in the production of hot bitumen or asphalt having a temperature of between 150 and 200 C., wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a bituminous or asphalt mixture, heating the mixture until a temperature of between 150-200 C. and adding an aqueous calcium nitrate solution or a calcium nitrate powder while mixing the bituminous or asphalt mixture. The present application furthermore relates to the use of an aqueous calcium nitrate solution or a calcium nitrate powder during mixing of a bituminous or asphalt mixture in the production of a hot bitumen or asphalt having a temperature of between 150 and 200 C. to prevent the emission of hydrogen sulphide.

The present invention relates to a method for producing an impregnated pitch from a petroleum-based raw material and to an impregnated pitch produced using the same, and when the method for producing an impregnated pitch according to the present invention is used, it is possible to produce an impregnated pitch having a high carbonization yield (40 wt % or more) and low quinoline insoluble matter (QI, 2% or less) for improving efficiency of an impregnation process from a petroleum-based raw material. Therefore, when an impregnation process is applied to a carbon compact by using the impregnated pitch according to the present invention, it is possible to remarkably reduce micropores inside the carbon compact, and to produce a carbon compact having physical properties such as excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.

The present invention relates to a method for producing an impregnated pitch from a petroleum-based raw material and to an impregnated pitch produced using the same, and when the method for producing an impregnated pitch according to the present invention is used, it is possible to produce an impregnated pitch having a high carbonization yield (40 wt % or more) and low quinoline insoluble matter (QI, 2% or less) for improving efficiency of an impregnation process from a petroleum-based raw material. Therefore, when an impregnation process is applied to a carbon compact by using the impregnated pitch according to the present invention, it is possible to remarkably reduce micropores inside the carbon compact, and to produce a carbon compact having physical properties such as excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.