Historically, bitumen from oil sands has been carried over land using trucks, pipelines, or by rail, and over water using tankers. Each mode of transportation faces economic or technical challenges of its own. Here there is provided a method for transporting bitumen, comprising: receiving in a dry bulk shipping container a load of discrete pellets with bitumen entrapped into the pellets, wherein the pellets have non-stick outer surfaces configured to prevent the bitumen from sticking to walls of the container when the pellets are carried in the container; and transporting the dry bulk shipping container containing the pellets over a distance. Alternatively or additionally, the pellets may have non-stick outer surfaces configured to prevent the load from caking when the pellets are carried in the container such that the load of bitumen pellets is substantially free-flowing when the transporting is completed.

The present invention provides an asphalt composition containing an asphalt and a polyester, the polyester being a polycondensate of a polyethylene terephthalate, an alcohol, and a carboxylic acid compound, the polyethylene terephthalate having a value of [(a quantity of heat absorbed in a DSC measurement)−(a quantity of heat generated in a DSC measurement)] of 5 J/g or more and 30 J/g or less and having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.6 or more and 1.05 or less.

An oil-in-water emulsion comprising an asphalt and purified coal product (PCP) is provided, wherein the PCP is in particulate form, and wherein at least about 90% by volume (% v) of the particles are no greater than about 25 μm in diameter; wherein the PCP has an ash content of less than about 10 wt %. Methods are also provided for the use of PCP as a stabilizing additive in the manufacture of asphalt containing emulsions.

The present invention provides an asphalt composition obtained by blending an asphalt and an addition polymerization-type polymer, the addition polymerization-type polymer having a hydroxyl value of 10 mgKOH/g or more and 60 mgKOH/g or less and having a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w) of 2,500 or more and 70,000 or less.

The invention refers to an asphaltic mixture conditioner comprising a bitumen, a polyol, a surfactant, a mineral acid and water. The invention further refers to a conditioned asphaltic paving mixture comprising bitumen, aggregate and the said asphaltic mixture conditioner.

The asphaltic mixture conditioner, used as an additive, solves problems of the prior art related to bituminous paving composition, which demand a prompt use of the asphalt compositions in situ. The additive contributes to preparation of a conditioned asphaltic paving mixture which may be storage at ambient temperature for longer periods, wherein the additive, at ambient temperature, may be added into a mix of aggregate and bitumen. Before being applied onto a surface, it is heated to a temperature range from 130° C. to 170° C., wherein all the necessary features to properly be applied onto the surface are maintained.

The present disclosure is related to a family of oil-based dispersions of organic and inorganic metal compounds for use as a hydrogen sulfide scavenger in asphalt, and the preparation thereof. These dispersions comprise organic and inorganic metal compounds, organic solvents, an organoclay suspension agent, an emulsifier and optionally a polymeric stabilizer. The organic and inorganic metal compounds are in the form of micron-sized particles. Copper-based dispersions are particularly effective at reducing the hydrogen sulfide emission of asphalt in the presence of polyphosphoric acid.

A solid bitumen pellet, including a mixture of bitumen and an additive, where the additive operates to increase the viscosity of the mixture. Optionally, the pellet includes a protective shell.

An asphalt-based sealcoat composition comprising high levels of titanium oxide particles is provided. In some embodiments, a highly solar reflective asphalt-based sealcoat composition comprising high levels of titanium oxide particles is provided. In some embodiments, an asphalt-based sealcoat composition capable of reducing pollutants comprising high levels of titanium oxide particles is provided. In some embodiments, methods for preparing asphalt-based sealcoat compositions as well as their application to asphalt surfaces is provided.

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the emission of hydrogen sulfide during the production of an asphalt composition.

A method of preparing non-volatile bituminous material in solid form includes first accessing molds having mold cavities defining an irregularly shaped brick having a plurality of non-planar surfaces and preparing the bituminous material for casting by heating it until it is suitably viscous for casting and optionally blending it with an additive. Then, the molds can be filled with the bituminous materials, preferably using a retractable conduit that progressively fills each mold cavity from its bottom to its top. Next, the bituminous material in the molds is solidified until substantially solid bricks are formed. Optionally, a skeleton with optional additional buoyant features can be placed in each mold cavity prior to casting so that the resulting brick has increased buoyancy throughout, and the skeleton and any buoyant features can be customized according to the needs of the customer. The resulting bricks can be removed for transport.