Abstract: Apparatus and process for curing and/or treating wood items such as logs and cut lumber. In one form of the invention a baffle is medially interposed in a closed chamber, separating such chamber into positive and negative pressure compartments, such baffle clamping to the lumber to be cured. A vacuum pump applies pressure to one compartment within the vessel and vacuum to the remaining compartment of the vessel, for the purpose of aiding with the withdrawal of resin from the wood. A resin solvent or diluent is introduced at the pressure side for rendering less viscous the resin contained in the lumber, to thereby aid in its travel through and withdrawal from such lumber. The return circuit to the vacuum pump includes a resin collector and also a water-moisture trap. Other fluid additives such as fireproofing and anti-rotting fluid materials may be introduced in the pressure side of the vessel.

Abstract: Process, structure, and aqueous bath for recovering oil from tar sand, known also simply as oil sand. The process includes the steps of passing the tar sand through, or subjecting the same to a diluent, to reduce the internal fluid friction or viscosity of the oil layers surrounding each sand particle, and then bringing together the "sand", i.e. the sand particle plus its thinned oil layer, and an aqueous bath having a slightly raised specific gravity and also a wetting agent. The purpose for the wetting agent is to allow the sand particles to fall to the bottom of the processing tank as sludge. The raised specific gravity of the water, which is still substantially less than that of sea water, by the Archimedes' principle, causes the released globules or droplets of oil to be accelerated rapidly to the surface of the water, thereby escaping recapture or admixture with the descending sand particles. The now dilute oil is recovered, separated, and the diluent is reused in the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing tar sands to recover bitumen therefrom, and without the use of heat of steam, such apparatus including a processing tank having a concave, upwardly facing bottom constructed for receiving the upper flight of an endless conveyor thereat. Structure is provided for admitting tar sands onto the feed end of such conveyor and for discharging the same at the discharge end thereof. Stirrer means are provided as needed, above the endless conveyor, for maintaining in solution the very fine tar sand particles, this to effect as efficient a recovery of oil therefrom as possible. A baffle is constructed to separate recovered oil, disposed as a layer over the aqueous bath of the tank, from the discharge end of the tank and the spent sands coming upwardly thereat.