Abstract: A subsurface thermally autogenous reactor and method has downgoing and upgoing flow passages connected at the bottom to form a U-tube and in heat exchange relation to each other. The downgoing and upgoing flow passages each have an upper heat exchange section and a lower reaction section. An air injection system injects air into the downgoing flow passage between the heat exchange and reaction sections. The cross sectional area of the upgoing heat exchange section is greater than the cross sectional area of the downgoing heat exchange section to balance the downgoing and upgoing flow velocities. The downgoing heat exchange section has multiple tubes to increase the heat transfer area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for effecting accelerated chemical reactions between reactants at elevated temperatures and pressures including the wet oxidation of materials in waste streams. A reactor has a through pipe that extends down into a cased hole in the earth and back up independent of the hole. A controlled flow of influent fluid with reactants is flowed down the pipe to form a hydrostatic column of fluid that is of sufficient depth to exert a pressure and provide a temperature sufficient to cause reactants to react at an accelerated reaction rate and to achieve the necessary retention time to substantially complete the reaction. Heat is released in the reaction zone to heat the fluid, and the heated fluid is then flowed back up in heat exchange relation to the downflowing fluid. The temperature of the fluid is controlled in the reaction zone by adding heat for start-up and selectively adding or removing heat to maximize the reaction rate and to prevent boiling of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to effect coalescence of a first liquid suspended as minute droplets in a second liquid of different specific gravity. An endless small-pore matrix having internal pore surfaces preferentially attractive to the first liquid, and having ingested a quantity of the mixture liquids is advanced through a transport interval to a point of discharge with quiescent conditions maintained within the pores for a sufficient time to permit gravitational settling and resultant coalescence of the droplets on the pore surfaces. Squeezing the resiliently compressible matrix at the end of such transport or pumping interval purges the second liquid and coalesced first liquid from the pores, and subsequent reexpansion of the matrix as it reenters the mixture causes ingestion of additional mixture to be processed, the process being repeated on a continuing cyclical basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to effect coalescence of a first liquid suspended as minute droplets in a second liquid of different specific gravity. An endless small-pore matrix having internal pore surfaces preferentially attractive to the first liquid, and having ingested a quantity of the mixture liquids is advanced through a transport interval to a point of discharge with quiescent conditions maintained within the pores for a sufficient time to permit gravitational settling and resultant coalescence of the droplets on the pore surfaces. Squeezing the resiliently compressible matrix at the end of such transport or pumping interval purges the second liquid and coalesced first liquid from the pores, and subsequent reexpansion of the matrix as it reenters the mixture causes ingestion of additional mixture to be processed, the process being repeated on a continuing cyclical basis.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating oil from water in the process of transferring oil/water mixture at a predetermined rate from a source to an output includes means for indicating when the percentage of oil exceeds a predetermined value. By pumping the accumulating oil from an oil output sump in the apparatus at a predetermined pumping rate, a predetermined fraction of the oil/water mixture separator transfer rate, and by detecting level of oil rising in the sump above said range with the oil pump operating, the system is made responsive to the proportion of oil in the mixture above a certain percentage. Any one or more of various responsive functions may thereby be initiated such as sounding an alarm, terminating an industrial process, momentarily interrupting operation of the oil/water separator, etc.

Abstract: An oil spill confining or sweeping system and method employing spray booms creating fine water spray curtains angled to the water's surface from an elevation above water level. Mounted divergently at the bow of a skimmer vessel, these spray curtains are effective to funnel the oil into the vessel's pick-up device ahead of the vessel without dispersing or emulsifying the oil. The fine spray particles making up the curtains have carrying effect sufficient to project entrained air with the spray to the water's surface independently of variations in distance between the booms and the water's surface attending passage of waves and swells.