Paving compositions

Claim 2

A paving grade asphalt composition comprising: from about 20 to about 70 weight percent, based on total weight of asphalt, of a vacuum-reduced naphthenic asphalt; and from about 80 to about 30 weight percent of a blending asphalt, said blending asphalt having an asphaltenes content of at least 20 weight percent; said composition being characterized by having penetration at 77° F. and Saybolt Furol Seconds (SFS) viscosity values, respectively, within the ranges selected from the group consisting of ______________________________________ Penetration at 77° F. Viscosity, SFS, at 275° F. ______________________________________ 40 - 50 120 - 430, 60 - 70 100 - 325, 85 - 100 85 - 260, 120 - 150 70 - 210, and 200 - 300 50 - 150, ______________________________________ and having a Penetration Ratio of at least 25.

Claim 3

An asphalt composition according to claim 1 wherein said blending asphalt is further characterized by a penetration at 77° F. lower than the corresponding penetration of said naphthenic asphalt and a higher Saybolt Furol Seconds viscosity at 275° F. higher than the corresponding viscosity of said naphthenic asphalt.

Claim 4

An asphalt composition according to claim 1 wherein said naphthenic asphalt has a penetration at 77° F. within the range selected from the group consisting of 40-50, 60-70, 85-100, 120-150 and 200-300.

Claim 5

An asphalt composition according to claim 1 wherein the amounts of said naphthenic asphalt and said blending asphalt are equal.

Claim 6

A composition according to claim 1 containing from about 1.5 to about 15 weight percent, based on total weight of asphalt, of a flux oil.

Claim 7

A composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition is characterized by a penetration at 77° F. in the range of 120-150, a Penetration Ratio of at least 25, and a Saybolt Furol Seconds viscosity at 275° F. in the range of 70-210, wherein said naphthenic asphalt is characterized by a penetration at 77° F. of 140 and a Saybolt Furol Seconds viscosity at 275° F. of 54.6, and wherein said blending asphalt is characterized by an asphaltene content of 38 weight percent, a penetration at 77° F. of 86, and a Saybolt Furol Seconds viscosity at 275° F. of 216.

Claim 8

A composition according to claim 5 wherein said composition is characterized by a penetration at 77° F. in the range of 85-100, a Penetration Ratio of at least 25 and a Saybolt Furol Seconds Viscosity at 275° F. in the range of 85-260, wherein said naphthenic asphalt has incorporated therein 5 weight percent of a flux oil based on the total weight of asphalt and oil, said asphalt-oil blend being characterized by a penetration at 77° F. of 77 and a Saybolt Furol Seconds Viscosity at 275° F. of 81.5, and wherein said blending asphalt is characterized by an asphaltene content of 38 weight percent, a penetration at 77° F. of 86 and a Saybolt Furol Seconds Viscosity at 275° F. of 216.

Claim 9

A process for preparing a paving grade asphalt composition characterized by having a Penetration Ratio greater than 25 and a penetration at 77° F. and a Saybolt Furol Seconds Viscosity at 275° F., respectively, within the ranges selected from the group consisting of ______________________________________ Penetration at 77° F. Viscosity, SFS, at 275° F. ______________________________________ 40 - 50 120 - 430, 60 - 70 100 - 325, 85 - 100 85 - 260, 120 - 150 70 - 210, and 200 - 300 50 - 150, ______________________________________ comprising the steps of a. producing a naphthenic asphalt having a penetration within the desired range by the vacuum distillation of a naphthenic base crude oil; and b. admixing with said naphthenic asphalt a blending asphalt characterized by an asphaltene content of at least 20 weight percent, a penetration at 77° F. lower than the corresponding penetration of said naphthenic asphalt and a Saybolt Furol Seconds Viscosity at 275° F. higher than the corresponding viscosity of said naphthenic asphalt.

Claim 10

A process for preparing a paving grade asphalt composition characterized by having a Penetration Ratio greater than 25 and a penetration at 77° F. and a Saybolt Furol Seconds Viscosity at 275° F., respectively, within the ranges selected from the group consisting of ______________________________________ Penetration at 77° F. Viscosity, SFS, at 275° F. ______________________________________ 40 - 50 120 - 430, 60 - 70 100 - 325, 85 - 100 85 - 260, 120 - 150 70 - 210, and 200 - 300 50 - 150, ______________________________________ comprising the steps of a. producing a naphthenic asphalt having a penetration within the desired range by the vacuum distillation of a naphthenic base crude oil; and b. admixing with said naphthenic asphalt a blending asphalt characterized by an asphaltene content of at least 20 weight percent, a penetration at 77° F. lower than the corresponding penetration of said naphthenic asphalt and a Saybolt Furol Seconds Viscosity at 275° F. higher than the corresponding viscosity of said naphthenic asphalt.

Claim 11

The process of claim 8 further comprising the step of incorporating into either of said asphalts a flux oil.