Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering polymer from a solution of the polymer in a solvent by high temperature phase separation in which a low molecular weight hydrocarbon is added to the solution, the solution and the added hydrocarbon are subjected to a temperature and pressure so that one liquid phase is formed and the pressure is reduced to form three phases, namely, a vapor phase rich in the hydrocarbon, a polymer-lean liquid phase and a polymer-rich liquid phase. The polymer-rich liquid phase is separated from the vapor phase and the polymer-lean liquid phase, and the polymer is then recovered from the polymer-rich liquid phase.

Abstract: Petroleum fractions may be separated into aromatic rich and paraffinic-rich hydrocarbon streams by the use of methanol/water mixtures having at least 10% water by volume. The paraffinic-rich stream is recovered as raffinate and the aromatic-rich as extract. After the extraction step additional water is added to the extract and raffinate streams where it acts as an anti-solvent to effect separation of the hydrocarbon from the solvent. The water and methanol are then separated for example by flash distillation or by using super critical CO.sub.2 as an extraction solvent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the extraction of bitumen from tar sands which comprises contacting the tar sand in an extraction zone with a paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms at a ratio of from 2 to 10 parts solvent per part of bitumen present in the tar sand, maintaining the asphaltene fraction of said tar sands in suspension, separating a major portion of said solvent which contains a major amount of the bitumen dissolved therein along with the suspended asphaltene fraction from the extracted sand, passing the extracted sand along with a minor portion of said solvent and a minor amount of bitumen into a water contacting zone and therein contacting said extracted sand with sufficient water at a temperature of at least 100.degree. F.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for removing dispersed matter from water which comprises, providing a flocculated salt selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum and Group IIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements in said water, adsorbing at least a portion of said dispersed matter on said flocculated salt, providing an oil, adsorbing said flocculated salt on said oil, and separating said dispersed matter from said water along with said flocculated salt and said oil. This process especially relates to the separation of dispersed matter, e.g., oil, from sea water, wherein said Group IIA flocculated salt is provided by adjusting the pH of said sea water with a basic material to precipitate magnesium hydroxide. Alternatively, a basic carbonate salt may be added to sea water to precipitate calcium carbonate from sea water as the flocculated salt. The pH is adjusted to at least 7 but preferably not over 10.