Abstract: Vanadium values are recovered from sulphur-containing cokes and ashes derived from heavy oils by a novel process comprising heating in the presence of alkali metal carbonate, contacting the resulting solid residue with water to form a leach and recovering the vanadium values dissolved therein. The heating step solubilizes only alkali metal vanadate and thus the leach solution is substantially free of contaminating substances.

Abstract: A process for recovering heavy hydrocarbonaceous oil in situ is disclosed. After a communication path is established between injection and production wells, a hot viscous fluid at least 20% of which is produced hydrocarbonaceous oil from the production well is circulated between the wells providing high sweep efficiency and good recovery of oil in place. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid comprises recirculated bitumen from the production well, steam, and small amounts of inert gas and emulsified water. The final stage is a recovery by conventional means.

Abstract: A process is disclosed in which a heavy hydrocarbon oil is converted to lighter products by hydrocracking in the presence of a hydrogen donor material boiling from 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. and a particulate hydrogenation catalyst comprising one of cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, tungsten and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A floatable bottom-founded caisson is disclosed that is suitable for use in ice-covered waters. The annular caisson structure has a frusto-conical upwardly tapered inner wall which reduces skin friction between itself and the core fill material. By the application of heat and the use of insulation, freezing of the core fill material is prevented; this feature, together with the tapered wall, enables the caisson to be easily raised and moved to a new position. The outer, or perimetrical, wall is inclined to aid upward fracturing of the ice impinging on it. The caisson carries a deck structure for the support of offshore drilling or other equipment.

Abstract: Vanadium values are recovered from sulphur-containing cokes and ashes derived from heavy oils by a novel process comprising heating in the presence of alkali metal carbonate, contacting the resulting solid residue with water to form a leach and recovering the vanadium values dissolved therein. The amount of alkali metal carbonate used is at least sufficient to convert the vanadium values present in the raw material into alkali metal vanadate, but insufficient to react in addition with all of the sulphur values therein. The heating step solubilizes only alkali metal vanadate and thus the leach solution is substantially free of contaminating substances.

Abstract: A method of improving the calorific value and preventing autogenous heating of low-rank coals is disclosed which comprises crushing the coal into a particle size range from 0.1 cm to 3 cm, immersing the particles in a distillation residuum of petroleum crude oil at a temperature between 240.degree. C. and decomposition temperature of the coal, and draining excess residuum from the particles to give a product preferably containing 2% to 15% by weight of the residuum. Some suitable residua are the vacuum residuum of a hydrogen donor-refined Athabasca bitumen and low-penetration asphalt. The residuum coating material must have a softening point of at least 80.degree. C. The decomposition temperature is defined as the temperature for a particular coal at which its rate of weight loss upon heating first reaches a maximum value, and is in the range of 340.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. for most low-rank coals.

Abstract: Bitumen is separated and recovered from tar sands deposits by use of special hydraulic mining techniques. One or more jets of hydraulic mining fluid are projected by a nozzle or nozzles against a face of a tar sands deposit and advanced towards the face as the face erodes under the jetting action. Sand and bitumen separate, due to the jetting action, and are removed from the eroding area by the flow of hydraulic fluid which is cycled to a recovery zone for separation of fluid, sand, and bitumen. Fluid is recycled, bitumen recovered, and sand disposed of as backfill. Advance of a single nozzle is varied by lateral diversion to erode over a wider area of the face and increase the volume eroded by a single advancing jet.

Abstract: An improved marine drilling barge for use in ice-covered water is disclosed. The barge has, besides a conventional moon pool through which conventional marine drilling operations can proceed, a roughly circular polygonal hull plan, with an elevation of two truncated pyramid sections joined through their theoretical apices by a vertical walled matching polygonal section. The flat bottom of the hull, to or through which mooring lines are attached to anchor the barge, has an exterior guard member fastened thereto and surrounding the points at which the mooring lines attach or come closest to the hull. The barge is ballasted to achieve downward breaking action by the hull on the ice cover as the latter encroaches on the barge. The proportions of the hull combine with those of the guard member to ensure that the ice broken from the ice cover is deflected to avoid fouling the mooring lines while the maximum draft of the barge is no greater than 20 meters.

Abstract: Vanadium values are recovered from cokes and ashes derived from heavy oils by a novel process comprising heating in the presence of alkali metal sulphate, contacting the resulting solid residue with water and recovering the vanadium values dissolved therein.