Abstract: A method for treating hydrocarbonaceous deposits to recover a petroleum-like hydrocarbon portion and a cleaned particulate substrate portion. Hydrocarbonaceous ore containing bitumen and/or kerogen is crushed or otherwise comminuted to the particle size of sand or smaller. The comminuted ore is mixed with water to form a slurry, is heated to between 60° C. and 100° C., and is blended with an oxidant in aqueous solution, preferably hydrogen peroxide. Both free interstitial hydrocarbons and those hydrocarbons bound electrostatically to the surfaces of clay-like particles in the ore are released from the rock substrate in a putative electrophysical reaction in the presence of the oxidant. Some of the released bitumenous and kerogenic compounds are then controllably cleaved by the oxidant in a limited Fenton's reaction to yield organic compounds having lower average molecular weights which are suitable for refining as oil after separation from the process water phase and the residual rock substrate.

Abstract: A system for treating industrial sludges to recover a hydrocarbon portion and a solid particulate substrate portion. A sludge feedstock is screened to remove large particles and is diluted to between about 5% and about 50% solids to form a slurry. The slurry is agitated and heated to 180.degree. F. or higher for a time sufficient to melt waxy hydrocarbon solids, reduce the viscosity of the slurry, reduce the density of hydrocarbons within the slurry, and break surface adhesion of hydrocarbon compounds to substrate particles. In a first separation step, the substrate particles are separated from a first liquid effluent containing most of the hydrocarbons from the original sludge, which may be further processed for recycle use.