Abstract: There is provided a novel composition for enhancing the quality of oily wastewater, the composition comprising oil shale ash particles physically bonded to a polymer matrix. There is also provided a method for preparing the composition, and a method for treating oily wastewater using the composition thereof.

Abstract: A system and method remotely monitor a plurality of meters in a non-wireless service network using a wireless system transmitting short message service messages separate from the non-wireless service network. The system includes a query computer for generating a query message including a command to a selected meter of the plurality of meters, for processing a reply message from the selected meter, with the reply message including a response to the command from the selected meter, and for storing the response in a memory; and a wireless telecommunications network for transmitting completely wirelessly the query message and for transmitting the reply message completely wirelessly from the selected meter to the query computer, for remotely and wirelessly monitoring at least the selected meter in the non-wireless service network. The response in the reply message includes data in a SMS message in a Global System for Mobile Communications format.