Abstract: A method for the separation of extracted viscous crude oil placed in a reservoir of a opened cell. Materials such as oil shale, oil sand, or tar sand may be involved. Hot water is introduced to the top surface of the reservoir material in the cell while steam is injected into a steam gallery running through the cell. The hot water and steam may contain a surfactant. The bouyancy of the crude oil creates an artificial water drive which causes the water and oil to "flip-flop" so that the oil rises to the top of the reservoir and separates from the remainder of the reservoir material. This separated oil may be removed from the cell and the remaining material disposed of.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 29, 1981
Date of Patent:
September 6, 1983
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
Abstract: A method and the necessary equipment to form horizontal cased and perforated drainholes for an underground, in situ leach mining operation. After a vertical hole has been formed and cased in the earth, horizontal drainholes are to be drilled from below its casing. The depth and thickness of the ore body which is to be recovered is determined. Following this, the proper whipstock orientation is computed and the horizontal drainhole is whipstocked and drilled from above the ore bed into it. A flexible casing, such as Coflexip pipe, is used to case the drainholes. Perforations or slots are provided for in these casings before they are put in the earth. A special retrievable cement plug, basket, and one-way valve are used to control and direct the flow of cement to the volume between the outside of the juncture at the casings.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 10, 1981
Date of Patent:
September 6, 1983
Inventors:
Edward T. Wood, Robert Snyder, William C. Larson, Donald W. Dareing
Abstract: Chromium values are recovered from pulverized chromite ore by agitating and aerating an aqueous pulp of said pulverized chromite ore containing an amine collector at a pulp acidity less than 2.5; and recovering a chromite containing froth as a concentrate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 1980
Date of Patent:
January 19, 1982
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
Inventors:
Gregory E. Smith, Jerry L. Huiatt, Monte B. Shirts
Abstract: An adsorbent composition comprising powdered charcoal on a support of polyurethane foam, and its use for separation of polynuclear aromatic compounds from mixtures containing them.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 18, 1976
Date of Patent:
July 25, 1978
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
Inventors:
David L. Stalling, James N. Huckins, William Allen Smith
Abstract: A device for destratifying bodies of water for controlling water quality parameters. The device includes an elongated hollow shroud within a cylindrical pipe that is capable of being supported in a vertical position within the body of water. The shroud is mounted on a center hollow drive shaft. A reactive propulsion driven rotary arm disposed in the plenum of the shroud is driven by pressurized fluid. Within the pipe, but outside of and near the lower end of the shroud's drive shaft, an impeller forces water upwardly and axially around the shroud to the water's surface. The reactive propulsion means is preferably driven by pumped air, whereby the effect of the pressurized air rotates the arm and the impeller fixed to the common drive shaft. This action aids in destratifying the body of water. A series of guide vane blades may be interposed on the same drive shaft between the impeller and the shroud to reduce the turbulence of the water exiting from the impeller.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 11, 1976
Date of Patent:
July 5, 1977
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
Inventors:
James C. Wadge, Henry T. Falvey, Perry L. Johnson