Abstract: A cashbox having a configurable note to coin storage area ratio is disclosed. Accordingly, the cashbox may be adjusted to accept a larger or smaller number of notes and a smaller or larger number of coins, respectively, depending on the circumstances of deployment of the configurable cashbox. Preferably, the note storage area is adapted to accept and retain notes in a tight stack suitable for easy removal and machine sorting and/or counting. In a preferred embodiment, the configurable cashbox is secure in that the cashbox locks into a housing with only limited access provided to the note and coin storage areas to allow deposit of cash into the cashbox. In order to remove the cashbox from the housing, access to the note and coin storage areas is secured such that once the cashbox is independent from the housing any unauthorized access to the storage areas is easily detectable.

Abstract: A composition for and an improved process of, enhancing petroleum recovery from a petroleum reservoir by injecting said composition into the reservoir through a wellbore are provided. The aqueous composition is derived from a concentrate which includes a defoaming agent, a demulsifying agent, and optionally a stabilizing agent suitable for stabilizing the concentrate as an aqueous emulsion. In one embodiment, the defoaming agent is dispersed in carrier solvent and the concentrate further includes an emulsifying agent suitable for emulsifying the carrier solvent in water. The composition is preferably injected at a high pumping rate directly into the formation through the tubing-casing annulus and allowed to permeate into the reservoir surrounding the wellbore before oil production commences. The composition and method are particularly suited for used in conjunction with steam injection oil recovery techniques.

Abstract: A composition for, and an improved process of, enhancing petroleum recovery from a petroleum reservoir by injecting said composition into the reservoir through a wellbore are provided. The aqueous composition is derived from a concentrate which includes a defoaming agent, a demulsifying agent, and optionally a stabilizing agent suitable for stabilizing the concentrate as an aqueous emulsion. In one embodiment, the defoaming agent is dispersed in carrier solvent and the concentrate further includes an emulsifying agent suitable for emulsifying the carrier solvent in water. The composition is preferably injected at a high pumping rate directly into the formation through the tubing-casing annulus and allowed to permeate into the reservoir surrounding the wellbore before oil production commences. The composition and method are particularly suited for used in conjunction with steam injection oil recovery techniques.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polysilylenesiloxane polymer, preferably polydimethylsilylenedimethylsiloxane. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polysilylenesiloxane polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises an organosilicon polymer having nonrandom crosslinkages that enhance backbone rigidity. Preferably, that polymer is a polyalkylsilsesquioxane. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polysilalkylenesilane polymer, preferably polydimethylsilmethylenedimethylsilane. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of a polysilalkylenesilane polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polydialkylsilalkylene polymer; wherein the dialkyl group is preferably dimethyl, methylethyl, or diethyl; and the alkylene group is preferably ethylene or methylene. Preferably, the polymer is polydimethylsilalkylene. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polydialkylsilalkylene polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises an organosilicon polymer having nonrandom crosslinkages that enhance backbone rigidity. Preferably, that polymer is a polyalkylsilsesquioxane. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polydialkylsilalkylene polymer; wherein the dialkyl group is preferably dimethyl, methylethyl, or diethyl; and the alkylene group is preferably ethylene or methylene. Preferably, the polymer is polydimethylsilalkylene. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polydialkylsilalkylene polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An improved method of recovering oil from diatomite is described. A solvent is injected into the diatomite followed by an aqueous surface active solution. The aqueous surface active solution contains a diatomite/oil water wettability improving agent and an oil/water surface tension lowering agent. The method may be supplemented by injection of water and/or steam into the diatomite.

Abstract: An in-situ process for recovering hydrocarbons from a diatomite-type formation which comprises contacting the diatomite formation with a C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 alcohol and thereafter displacing the hydrocarbon-alcohol mixture with an aqueous alkaline solution towards a production well. The aqueous alkaline solution can be displaced with additional solution or another suitable medium such as a connate water drive.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a diatomite-type ore which comprises contacting the diatomite ore with a C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 alcohol and thereafter contacting the diatomite ore-alcohol mixture with an aqueous alkaline solution to separate a hydrocarbon-alcohol phase and an alkaline aqueous phase containing the stripped diatomite ore. Thereafter, the alcohol is distilled off from the hydrocarbon phase and recycled back into the initial process.

Abstract: A tensiometer apparatus for use in the field, for instance at the site of an oil well, for measuring the interfacial tension between two immiscible fluids, for instance oil and water, wherein a droplet of one fluid is caused to move under the force of gravity through the second fluid and a characteristic of the droplet is determined by measuring the change the droplet causes in capacitance of one or more capacitors as the droplet moves through the second fluid. The determined characteristic is then converted by calibration means to interfacial tension between the fluids.

Abstract: A method of in-situ coal recovery in slurry form from a coal deposit by first contacting the coal with a gaseous mixture of an oxygen-containing gas containing vaporized NO.sub.2, then with an aqueous alkaline solution to slurry the coal, and then recovering the slurried coal from the deposit. The particular aqueous alkaline solution disclosed herein contains ethanolamine.

Abstract: A method of in-situ coal recovery in slurry form from a coal deposit by first contacting the coal with a gaseous mixture of an oxygen-containing gas containing vaporized NO.sub.2, then with an aqueous alkaline solution to slurry the coal, and then recovering the slurried coal from the deposit.