Abstract:
A surfactant package for a water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion includes a fatty acid component; a fatty acid salt component; an alcohol component and a salt of carboxylic acid. Emulsions formed using this surfactant package are stable and have ratios of water to surfactant of at least about 3.
Abstract:
A method for preparing an asphalt composition includes the steps of providing asphalt; mixing sulfur with the asphalt at a temperature greater than 200° C. to provide a sulfur-asphalt blend; providing a heavy aromatic oil; and mixing the heavy aromatic oil with the sulfur-asphalt blend to provide the asphalt composition. Polymers can also advantageously be incorporated into the asphalt composition.
Abstract:
A process for the preparation of a natural liquid fuel and, more particularly, a process that allows a high sulfur natural fuel to be converted into energy by combustion with a substantial reduction in sulfur oxide emissions.
Abstract:
A multiple emulsion includes a continuous water phase; an oil droplet phase dispersed through the continuous water phase; an inner water droplet phase dispersed through the oil droplet phase; and a water insoluble compound suspended in the inner water droplet phase. The multiple emulsion is useful as a transportable and combustible fuel.
Abstract:
A combustible fuel for diesel engines and a process for forming same in the form of a water in hydrocarbon emulsion wherein the mean water drop diameter is .ltoreq.4 .mu.m with a maximum diameter of .ltoreq.10 .mu.m.
Abstract:
A method for forming a stable emulsion of a viscous hydrocarbon in an aqueous buffer solution includes the steps of: providing a viscous hydrocarbon containing an inactive natural surfactant and having a salt content by weight of less than or equal to about 15 ppm and having a water content by weight of less than or equal to about 0.1%; forming a solution of a buffer additive in an aqueous solution to provide a basic aqueous buffer solution, the buffer additive being operative to extract and activate the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous hydrocarbon; and mixing the viscous hydrocarbon with the aqueous buffer solution at a rate sufficient to provide an emulsion of the viscous hydrocarbon in the aqueous buffer solution, whereby the buffer additive extracts the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous hydrocarbon into the aqueous buffer solution and activates the inactive natural surfactant so as to stabilize the emulsion. According to the invention, the buffer additive is a water soluble amine. The inactive natural surfactant contained in the viscous hydrocarbon includes carboxylic acids, phenols, esters, and mixtures thereof. Bimodal emulsions, having two distinct droplet size distributions, are also formed according to the method of the present invention and have improved viscosity characteristics.
Abstract:
A method for forming a stable emulsion of a viscous hydrocarbon in an aqueous buffer solution includes the steps of: providing a viscous hydrocarbon containing an inactive natural surfactant and having a salt content by weight of less than or equal to about 15 ppm and having a water content by weight of less than or equal to about 0.1%; forming a solution of a buffer additive in an aqueous solution to provide a basic aqueous buffer solution, the buffer additive being operative to extract and activate the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous hydrocarbon; and mixing the viscous hydrocarbon with the aqueous buffer solution at a rate sufficient to provide an emulsion of the viscous hydrocarbon in the aqueous buffer solution, whereby the buffer additive extracts the inactive natural surfactant from the viscous hydrocarbon into the aqueous buffer solution and activates the inactive natural surfactant so as to stabilize the emulsion. According to the invention, the buffer additive is a water soluble amine. The inactive natural surfactant contained in the viscous hydrocarbon includes carboxylic acids, phenols, esters, and mixtures thereof. Bimodal emulsions, having two distinct droplet size distributions, are also formed according to the method of the present invention and have improved viscosity characteristics.
Abstract:
A surfactant package for a water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion includes a fatty acid component; a fatty acid salt component; an alcohol component and a salt of carboxylic acid. Emulsions formed using this surfactant package are stable and have ratios of water to surfactant of at least about 3.
Abstract:
A method for preparing an asphalt composition includes the steps of providing asphalt; mixing sulfur with the asphalt at a temperature greater than 200° C. to provide a sulfur-asphalt blend; providing a heavy aromatic oil; and mixing the heavy aromatic oil with the sulfur-asphalt blend to provide the asphalt composition. Polymers can also advantageously be incorporated into the asphalt composition.