Abstract: A method for separating hydrocarbons from a soil, e.g. to separate bitumen from oil sands, involves mixing the soil thoroughly with water and a supply of buoyant beads having surfaces that are of oleophilic material and coated with a surface layer of hydrocarbon solvent. The beads, soil and water are agitated for a period during which hydrocarbons from the soil become adhered to the solvent coated beads. After the mixture has been allowed to settle the beads separate towards the top and are removed and treated with solvent to recover the adhered hydrocarbons therefrom. Suitable solvents are oil refinery products such as naphtha, kerosine, gasoline, varsol, toluene and diesel fuel.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing contaminants from waste lubricating oil. The waste oil is contacted with one or more of the pretreatment chemicals ammonium sulphate, ammonium bisulphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, diammonium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, phosphoric acid, calcium sulphate, aluminum sulphate, and magnesium sulphate. The contacting step is performed at a temperature of at least about 650.degree. F. The oil mixture is then filtered to remove the contaminants. The pretreatment chemical is preferably added in the absence of water, thereby reducing the amount of water to be removed from the oil.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing contaminants from waste lubricating oil. The previously untreated waste oil is contacted with decolorizing clay and the mixture is heated to and retained for a period of time at a temperature in the range of about 650.degree.-725.degree. F., to render the mixture filterable. The product clay-oil mixture is cooled and filtered to produce an oil filtrate reduced in contaminants. The clay contacting step may optionally be performed in a hydrogen atmosphere. The oil product can be used for non-critical uses or further upgraded by conventional methods.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing metal contaminants from used lubricating oil. The used oil is contacted with an aqueous solution of aluminum sulphate and ammonium sulphate at elevated temperature to form compounds of the metal contaminants in an aqueous phase which is phase separable from the oil. An oil product reduced in metal contaminants is thereby produced which is suitable as a cheap fuel or lubricant.