Abstract: A Tool for excavating an object, the tool having a jetting system arranged to impinge the object to be excavated with a jetted stream of a drilling fluid mixed with abrasive particles, the jetting system being provided with at least a mixing chamber with a drilling fluid inlet, a second inlet for abrasive particles, and an outlet nozzle for releasing the drilling fluid mixed with the abrasive particles; a recirculation system arranged to recirculate at least some of the abrasive particles, from a return stream of the fluid mixed with the abrasive particles downstream impingement of the jet with the object back to the jetting system, whereby the abrasive particles have a magnetic material, which recirculation system has a separator magnet for separating the abrasive particles from the return stream and for transporting the particles to the second inlet; and, a piece of magnetic material that is provided in or in the vicinity of the mixing chamber such as to draw a part of the magnetic field generated by the se

Abstract: Solid, low-cost paving binder prepared by admixing sulfur, paving grade asphalt (AC) asphalt, and a siliceous filler such as fly ash and silica material, and solidifying the product into preferably flaked, pellet or pastille forms. Carbon black is another possible ingredient of the paving binder. The solid paving binder has non-sick non-flow properties within a wide range of ambient temperatures, and it can be stored solid for subsequent use in paving applications. Properties such as the color, radiation-resistance, and odor of the paving binder can be controlled in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Sulfur, useable in as an additive to asphalt in the preparation of asphalt binders can be plasticized by addition of carbon and further treated with amyl acetate. This plasticized sulfur can be formed into solid particles and then added to asphalt as either a minority or majority component to create desired paving binder compositions. The solid plasticized sulfur has non-stick non-flow properties within a wide range of ambient temperatures, and it can be stored solid for subsequent use in paving applications.

Abstract: Solid, low-cost paving binder prepared by admixing sulfur, paving grade asphalt (AC) asphalt, and a siliceous filler such as fly ash and silica material, and solidifying the product into preferably flaked, pellet or pastille forms. Carbon black is another possible ingredient of the paving binder. The solid paving binder has non-sick non-flow properties within a wide range of ambient temperatures, and it can be stored solid for subsequent use in paving applications. Properties such as the color, radiation-resistance, and odor of the paving binder can be controlled in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Method of recovering fluids from an underground tar sand reservoir or heavy oil reservoir comprising (a) drilling and completing a first pair of wells and a second pair of wells, each pair comprising an injection well terminating in the reservoir and a production well terminating in the reservoir below the injection well; (b) circulating steam through the injection wells and performing alternate steam injection and fluid production through the production wells; and (c) injecting steam through the injection wells while producing fluids through the production wells, wherein the injection pressure of the injection well of the first pair of wells is greater than the injection pressure of the injection well of the second pair of wells.

Abstract: A subsurface well pump is provided which is resistant to vapor locking. The pump is a reciprocating sucker rod pump which has a top inlet valve, and a means to vent vapors from the barrel of the pump on each stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing a floating pollutant such as oil from a liquid such as water by passing the oil and water over the top of a weir and allowing the oil and water to fall between a side of the weir and a baffle closely adjacent to the weir and extending into a pool at the bottom of the weir. Oil collects in a quiet area adjacent the baffle while the water passes over a subsequent weir to removal.

Abstract: To facilitate cleanout of a sewer a guide member is located with a manhole to guide a cleanout tool into the sewer. The sewer is downwardly inclined adjacent the manhole so that the inlet enters at a location below the outlet and a predetermined level of liquid is maintained in the manhole. The guide member comprises a base with a pair of upstanding wings that project above the predetermined level to present a pair of guide members for the insertion of the cleanout tool.

Abstract: An improved steam soak process recovers viscous oil from a reservoir containing a relatively steam impermeable oil-rich layer above a relatively steam permeable water-rich layer. Steam is injected at a rate and volume that displaces an oil bank into the water layer. The cooling of the oil bank impedes the flow of water so that, during the production cycle, the rate of oil recovery is increased.

Abstract: An improved method for recovery of bitumen form bituminous froth is disclosed having particular application in hot water separation of tar sands wherein comminuted tar sand is slurried in hot water, subject to gravity separation to isolate a bituminous froth, containing water and mineral matter, and the bituminous froth is diluted with a liquid hydrocarbon solvent and subject to a two-stage centrifugation to recover the substanitally water and mineral-free bitumen. In this improved process, the dilution of bituminous froth with liquid hydrocarbon solvent is staged such that no more than about 90% of the total hydrocarbon solvent is added to the bituminous froth prior to the first centrifuging stage and the remaining hydrocarbon solvent is added prior to the second centrifuging stage.