Abstract: A solvent extraction process for tar sands is disclosed wherein a low boiling solvent having a normal boiling point of from 20.degree. to 70.degree. C. is used to extract tar sands. The solvent is mixed with tar sands in a dissolution zone, the solvent:bitumen weight ratio being maintained at from about 0.5:1 to 2:1. This mixture is passed to a separation zone in which bitumen and inorganic fines are separated from extracted sand, the separation zone containing a classifier and countercurrent extraction column. The extracted sand is introduced into a first fluid-bed drying zone fluidized by heated solvent vapors, so as to remove unbound solvent from extracted sand while at the same time lowering the water content of the sand to less than about 2 wt. %. The so-treated sand is then passed into a second fluid-bed drying zone fluidized by a heated inert gas to remove bound solvent. Recovered solvent is recycled to the dissolution zone.

Abstract: A method of distributing natural gas by pipeline comprising pumping liquefied natural gas (LNG) for a predetermined portion of the desired distance, applying processes in which the refrigeration value of the gas is utilized and the high boiling point components are separated, and then vaporizing the remaining liquid prior to its being further transported by pipeline in the gaseous phase.