Abstract: The present invention, a unique method and means of thermal cracking the molecular structure of short chain hydrocarbon vapor for reforming into long chain molecular structure and conversion of a portion to hydrocarbon liquid, much less complicated and complex than presently employed methods and means, combines partial oxidation, fast pyrolysis, and rapid cooling in a unique sequence of events incorporating components, of unique configuration, compact and much more cost effective than the presently employed methods and means of performing gas to liquid conversion that requires a great difference between the cost of the gas vapor feedstock and the selling price of the liquid to justify capital investment in gas to liquid conversion systems. Relatively few conversion systems are operating now and/or under construction.

Abstract: A subsea deepwater petroleum fluid spill containment device that can be quickly deployed to the site of a deepwater well blowout or similar eruption of petroleum fluids on or near the ocean floor to be sunk and positioned over the eruption, capture the petroleum fluid preventing it entering and polluting the environment, separate the constituents of oil, water and gas into disparate components subsea and inside of the collection device clean them, deliver the clean produced water to the subsea water and utilizing the hydraulic hydrostatic head pressure of the waters depth, if at least 4500 feet deep, deliver dewatered oil to surface storage with sufficient pressure to eliminate the need for mechanical pumping and the filtered gas at sufficient pressure for storage in a CNG container ship.

Abstract: A versatile oven for converting carbon based natural resources and waste material to hydrocarbon vapor and carbon char utilizing rapid thermal processing and having the capability of utilizing a portion of the relatively inexpensive carbon based material being processed as the fuel to provide at least some of the process heat and also including a means for reducing NOx emissions in the gases exhausted from a furnace used to burn the converted hydrocarbon vapor for application of the heat energy and also a means for delivering the converted hydrocarbon vapor to a condensing system if it is desired to liquefy at least some portion of the thermally converted hydrocarbon vapor.

Abstract: An energy efficient and compact oil and water separator through which the oil and water flow for the purpose of extracting water from the oil and oil from the water made more efficient and compact by incorporating a precise control of the hydrodynamics through the application of permeable barriers on which the permeability is adjustable to compensate for variations in flow rate, density and viscosity of the oil and water, a downward flow of the oil through an electric field to mitigate the problem of high water content causing an electrical short circuiting of the electric field and a heating means with enhanced heat exchange capability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of converting waste materials into combustible vapor and char utilizing an energy efficient pyrolytic processing oven that eliminates the complex mechanisms usually associated with these systems for heating and transporting the waste material through the oven. The oven of this system has a unique configuration that permits the pyrolized material to free fall through the unit.

Abstract: A cylindrical vertical oil, water and gas separator that incorporates the known advantage of a horizontal flow path, when utilizing the force of gravity to separate a mixture of flowing fluids into distinct laminar layers, while providing a means for maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of the disparate layers of the fluids even when the oil, water and gas separator is swaying back and forth as might happen if the oil, water and gas separator is installed on the deck of a ship.

Abstract: A method for processing oil from oil wells having water bound locations whereby it is necessary to place the process containment vessels upon host structures that are floating and subjected to a swaying motion caused by the wave action of the water in which the host structures float. The process containment vessels are of a vertical cylindrical configuration to minimize their footprint and to mitigate the effect of tilting on the spatial process geometry inside of the vessels and further the vessels contain internal baffles that create horizontal flow patterns inside of the vertical vessel for a more efficient gravity separation process.

Abstract: A method for processing oil from oil wells having water bound locations whereby it is necessary to place the process containment vessels upon host structures that are floating and subjected to a swaying motion caused by the wave action of the water in which the host structures float. The process containment vessels are of a vertical cylindrical configuration to minimize their footprint and to mitigate the effect of tilting on the spatial process geometry inside of the vessels and further the vessels contain internal baffles that create horizontal flow patterns inside of the vertical vessel for a more efficient gravity separation process.

Abstract: A cylindrical vertical oil, water and gas separator that incorporates the known advantage of a horizontal flow path, when utilizing the force of gravity to separate a mixture of flowing fluids into distinct laminar layers, while providing a means for maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of the disparate layers of the fluids even when the oil, water and gas separator is swaying back and forth as might happen if the oil, water and gas separator is installed on the deck of a ship.

Abstract: An oil processing vessel for cleaning oil and the associated produced water utilizing the principle of capillary attraction in lieu of heat and/or electric coalescence to dehydrate the oil and in lieu of induced gas flotation to extract oil from the water. The oil processing vessel also includes a means for mitigating the foam often encountered when processing crude oil and if required an integral means to split the oil discharge from the vessel into disparate proportional flow streams. There also can be included a means for extracting extraneous material that accumulates inside the vessel at the water/oil interface.

Abstract: An elongated, cylindrical oil, water and gas separator with end closures for receiving a flowing mixture of oil, water and foamy gas improved by means for defoaming the gas, separating the oil, water and gas into distinct laminar layers and a means for absorbing the impetus and energy of the flowing water layer as it impacts the end closure near the water outlet conduit, and can include a heating means for reducing the viscosity of the mixture with increased heat exchange surface, an electric field through which the oil can flow downward for coalescing water droplets that may be entrained within the oil and further can contain a series of coalescing baffles having a spray jet washing system and hinged bottom segments to expedite cleaning and maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining the effects of centrifugal force and electrostatic coalescence of water droplets in an integral containment vessel to de-emulsify water in oil type emulsions, without utilizing chemicals or applying heat to reduce the viscosity of the emulsion.

Abstract: An energy conserving method and apparatus for using induced gas flotation to separate finely dispersed oil and solids from water and doing so in such a manner as to minimize the power consumption, reduce the amount of water carried with the oil and solids skimmings and eliminate complex mechanisms that would require a high degree of maintenance.Initial flotation gas is induced through a high velocity venturi using the inlet flow to supply the kinetic energy. Secondary flotation is supplied by inducing the vapor through a high velocity venturi utilizing recycled water to provide the kinetic energy. A single pump, of relatively low horse power, circulates the recycled water.The oil and solids skimmed from the surface of the water are transferred to an integral compartment for dewatering. The water is returned to the process stream by the single recycle pump.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing the same to provide fresh potable water and electric power from a source of natural brine by the use of energy derived from a geothermal source of pressurized fluid that is of a temperature of greater than 212.degree. F, and which fluid may contain numerous minerals and extraneous material entrained and/or dissolved therein, together with apparatus for carrying out the method. In addition, the invention encompasses a method of providing a clean source of heat for energy conversion from a geothermal source together with an apparatus for carrying out the method.