Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide present in an aqueous system is removed and the production of hydrogen sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is eliminated by introducing into the system nitrite and nitrate and/or molybdate ions, whereby denitrifying microorganisms outcompete the sulfate-reducing bacteria for the available carbon nutrients, thus preventing the SRB from producing hydrogen sulfide and the nitrite along with the denitrifying microorganisms remove hydrogen sulfide already present in the system. The system which contains the denitrifying microorganisms and which is essentially free of hydrogen sulfide can enhance oil recovery by means of a microbial enhanced oil recovery mechanisms.

Abstract: A pipetter is connected to a hypodermic needle by an adapter. The adapter includes a conduit with male and female ends and a predetermined volume. The female end of the conduit is dimensioned to receive the end of the pipetter to form a substantially air-tight friction fit. The male end of a conduct is dimensioned to be inserted into the needle holder to form a substantially air-tight friction fit. The volume of the conduit is greater than a volume of the fluid to be transferred. The adapter allows one to combine the advantages of a hypodermic needle with the superior volumetric measuring capabilities of a pipetter, while eliminating the waste associated with disposable syringes.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide present in an aqueous system is removed and the production of hydrogen sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is eliminated by introducing into the system nitrite and nitrate and/or molybdate ions, whereby denitrifying microorganisms outcompete the sulfate-reducing bacteria for the available carbon nutrients, thus preventing the SRB from producing hydrogen sulfide and the nitrite along with the denitrifying microorganisms remove hydrogen sulfide already present in the system. The system which contains the denitrifying microorganisms and which is essentially free of hydrogen sulfide can enhance oil recovery by means of a microbial enhanced oil recovery mechanisms.

Abstract: A method of releasing metals from catalysts in a form that is readily recoverable using denitrifying bacteria is disclosed. The method can be used to regenerate catalysts and to recover metals from catalysts, especially molybdenum and nickel.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for prospecting for subterranean oil and gas deposits by detecting the presence of hydrocarbon-consuming microorganisms in soil samples taken from a field of interest for production. A preferred method of this invention comprises suspending and diluting each soil sample in mineral salt solution, combining the sample with a selective growth, substrate such as an alcohol or aldehyde, and an oxidation-reduction dye in a gas-tight tube, incubating the sample and measuring the color change of the dye. Advantages of this system include: results obtained in short times (24 to 72 hours), substantially eliminates false positives, accurate results particularly when a spectrophotometer is used to measure the color changes, and it is automatable with computer controlled systems for processing samples, reading the color changes and calculating and plotting test results.

Abstract: A system for removing cyanide and related species from a cyanide-containing waste fluid, for example, of the sort generated by mining operations, includes means for generating hydrogen peroxide by the burning of a fuel and the quenching of that burning with the waste fluid. At least a portion of the cyanide content of the waste fluid is eliminated by oxidation with the hydrogen peroxide, and the quenching can also provide organic material to serve as a carbon source for microbes which degrade residual cyanide in the treated waste stream.

Abstract: A system for removing cyanide and related species from a cyanide-containing waste fluid, for example, of the sort generated by mining operations, includes means for generating hydrogen peroxide by the burning of a fuel and the quenching of that burning with the waste fluid. At least a portion of the cyanide content of the waste fluid is eliminated by oxidation with the hydrogen peroxide, and the quenching can also provide organic material to serve as a carbon source for microbes which degrade residuel cyanide in the treated waste stream.