Abstract: An emulsion of crude oil and water that is recovered from an underground reservoir is broken by the addition of a naturally occurring brine to effect separation and recovery of the oil phase of the emulsion. Advantageously, brine taken from the same geologic formation as the crude oil can be used as the emulsion breaker.

Abstract: Inorganic phosphorus-containing acids and salts thereof in small amounts function as antifoulant additives in crude oil systems employed as feedstocks in petroleum refining which are subjected to elevated temperatures of from about 100.degree. to 1500.degree. F. and which are prone to produce fouling material that deposits and accumulates upon the surfaces of petroleum processing equipment, such as heat transfer equipment and the like. Such additives not only inhibit and suppress fouling but also reduce fouling in previously fouled refining systems.

Abstract: An oil reclamation process wherein oil containing liquid contaminants, principally water, in both a free and dissolved state is passed through a vessel maintained under vacuum where it passes over a dispersing material to increase its surface area and such exposure to vacuum within the vessel increases the vapor pressure of the water contained in the oil such that steam is generated through evaporation, the decontaminated oil and the steam generated then being separately removed from the vessel where the steam is then condensed and the water so produced is discharged to waste.

Abstract: A process for deoiling and dewatering refinery sludges in which sludges, optionally mixed with a diluent oil such as recycle oil recovered in the process, are contacted in a heating zone with steam or superheated steam to effect separation of the sludges into dry, oil-free, free-flowing solids and an oil-water vapor phase which on condensation yields a mixture of oil and water. The oil recovered from this mixture is suitable for a variety of purposes such as for cracking stock, etc. and the water recovered exhibits a reduced Chemical Oxygen Demand. The dry, free flowing solids recovered from the heating zone are useful for a wide variety of applications, such as for land fill.

Abstract: A more economical method of removing materials adsorbed on solid adsorbents used to treat hydrocarbon streams is presented. The method comprises removing a liquid hydrocarbon stream from a distillation column, vaporizing the liquid stream and superheating the vapors which are formed, passing the superheated vapor through the adsorbent and effecting the removal of the adsorbed material, and then returning the vapor to the fractionation column and utilizing the vapor as stripping media within the column. In the preferred embodiment, water is removed from alumina.

Abstract: Undesirable haze that occurs in a distillate fuel, such as a diesel fuel, a jet fuel or a heating oil, as a result of emulsion formation with slight traces of water, is removed from the fuel by adding to and simply mixing with the fuel a small amount of an inorganic halide or nitrate of calcium, magnesium, cadmium, copper or nickel dissolved in a water-miscible, fuel-immiscible aliphatic monohydric or polyhydric alcohol or glycol ether.

Abstract: In a system for removing oil from oily water which employs an oil droplet coalescer, a ceramic dewaxer is inserted before the coalescer to remove waxes, asphalts, and similar materials which would otherwise quickly clog the fine holes of the coalescer. The "dirty" ceramic elements of the dewaxer may be easily and efficiently regenerated.