Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally treating shale rock which holds an amount of hydrocarbon. The shale, preferably in a reduced size and form, is contacted by a hot molten metal bath at a sufficiently high temperature to release the hydrocarbon segment. The latter rises to the bath surface in liquid form to be skimmed, drained, or otherwise separated from residual rock material which is further conveyed from the lead bath.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen, or heavy petroleum, from admixture with sand and similar inorganic materials wherein said bitumen-sand mixture is mixed with an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt selected from ammonium sulfite, ammonium bisulfite and mixtures thereof to form a second mixture comprising said aqueous ammonium salt solution, bitumen and sand; wherein said second mixture is heated to a temperature in the range of about 120.degree. F. (45.degree. C.) to about 260.degree. F. (127.degree. C.) and is separated into a bitumen phase free of sand, an aqueous phase and a sand phase.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery method comprising injecting an aqueous solution of ammonium salts selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfite, ammonium bisulfite, and mixtures thereof into a petroleum-bearing earth formation, heating said injected aqueous solution to a temperature in the range of about 120.degree.-300.degree. F., or higher in the presence of said petroleum-bearing earth formation, flowing said heated aqueous solution through said petroleum bearing earth formation to drive petroleum to a recovery well, and producing increased amounts of petroleum from said earth formation through said recovery well.

Abstract: An Enhanced Oil recovery method comprising injecting an aqueous ammonium bisulfite (NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.3) solution into a petroleum-bearing earth formation, heating said injected aqueous solution to a temperature in the range of about 120.degree.-300.degree. F., or higher in the presence of said petroleum-bearing earth formation, flowing said aqueous solution through said petroleum bearing earth formation to drive petroleum to a recovery well, and producing increased amounts of petroleum from said earth formation through said recovery well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped catalyst composed of finely divided particles of binary or ternary boride compounds having the general formula M.sub.x B.sub.y or M.sub.x B.sub.y R.sub.2 wherein x is an integer from 1-5; y is an integer from 1-2; z is an integer from 1-4; B is boron; M is an element selected from the groups II-A, III-B, IV-B, V-B, VI-B, VII-B, VIII, III-A, IV-A, and V-A of the Periodic Table, the rare earths, and the actinides; R is an element different from M selected from the same group of elements in the Periodic Table as M; the particles being bonded by 1 to 10% by weight of finely divided particles of preoxidized aluminum, zinc, or magnesium. The preferred catalyst materials are those boron-containing substances which are substantially insoluble in the reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxides olefins and products and which are bonded by heat treated aluminum particles having an oxide coating constituting from 5 to 10 percent of the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped catalyst composed of finely divided particles of binary or ternary boride compounds having the general formula M.sub.x B.sub.y or M.sub.x B.sub.y R.sub.2 wherein x is an integer from 1-5; y is an integer from 1-2; z is an integer from 1-4; B is boron; M is an element selected from the groups II-A, III-B, IV-B, V-B, VI-B, VII-B, VIII, III-A, IV-A, and V-A of the Periodic Table, the rare earths, and the actinides; R is an element different from M selected from the same group of elements in the Periodic Table as M; the particles being bonded by 1 to 10% by weight of finely divided particles of preoxidized aluminum, zinc, or magnesium. The preferred catalyst materials are those boron-containing substances which are substantially insoluble in the reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxides olefins and products and which are bonded by heat treated aluminum particles having an oxide coating constituting from 5 to 10 percent of the particles.