Abstract: The biodegradation of hydrocarbon contaminated water is enhanced by the adding to the contaminated water a hydrocarbon solution of (a) a mixture of a sorbitan ester of a C.sub.7 to C.sub.22 monocarboxylic acid and a polyoxyalkelene adduct of a sorbitan ester of a C.sub.7 to C.sub.22 monocarboxylic acid, the adduct having from 4 to 50 polyoxyalkelene units, (b) an alkyl glycoside wherein the alkyl group has from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the gylcoside is a mono or diglycoside, or a mixture thereof, in amounts sufficient to promote the growth of indigenous microorganisms.In another embodiment of the invention a source of microbial assimilable nitrogen and phosphorous also is supplied to the contaminated water.

Abstract: The bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil is enhanced by applying to the soil a hydrocarbon solution of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: (a) mixture of a sorbitan ester of a C.sub.7 to C.sub.22 monocarboxylic acid and a polyoxyalkylene adduct of a sorbitan monoester of a C.sub.7 to C.sub.22 monocarboxylic acid, the adduct having from 6 to 50 polyoxyalkylene units, (b) an alkyl glycoside wherein the alkyl group has from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and the glycoside is a mono or diglycoside and (c) a mixture of (a) and (b) and (c) and thereafter applying microbial nutrients to the soil in amounts sufficient to promote the growth of indigenous microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for dispersing an oil spill on sea water, which method comprises applying to the oil spill surface an effective amount of: (i) a blend of one or more hydrophilic and one or more lipophilic surfactants so balanced that they will form microemulsions with the sea water and the oil to be dispersed; (ii) a solvent which is miscible with the oil to be dispersed and in which the blend of surfactants is substantially soluble; and (iii) from 0 to about 10 weight percent water, wherein the blend of surfactants is such that it lowers the interfacial tension between the oil to be dispersed and the sea water to less than about 250 mdynes/cm when the blend is used at a treat rate of less than about 1 to 100 by weight, based on the oil to be dispersed, wherein the solvent is a hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting of No. 2 diesel fuel oil, kerosene and white oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating water and oil from a sludge which contains water, oil and solids which method comprises (1) contacting the sludge with an effective amount of 1 or more surfactants chosen and balanced to form certain types of microemulsions with equal volumes of decane and 3% aqueous NaCl, (2) mixing said surfactants and sludge with sufficient agitation to obtain a uniform mixture, (3) allowing said mixture to stand under gravitational settling or centrifugation to obtain the separation from the bottom sediment of an aqueous phase which may contain solubilized oil with or without an additional floating oil phase, (4) decanting separately the oil and aqueous phases and (5) further treating the aqueous phase with heat and/or NaCl to separate the solubilized oil or further treating the bottom sediment with selected surfactants to release adhering oil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dispersing an oil spill on sea water which method comprises applying to the oil spill surface an effective amount of: (i) a blend of one or more hydrophilic and one or more lipophilic surfactants whose ratio is so adjusted that they will form microemulsions with the sea water and the oil to be dispersed, (ii) a solvent which is miscible with the oil to be dispersed and in which the blend of surfactants is substantially soluble, and (iii) from 0 to about 10 wt. % water. The blend of surfactants is such that it lowers the interfacial tension between the oil to be dispersed and the sea water to less than about 250 mdynes/cm when the blend is used at a treat rate of less than about 1 to 100 by weight, based on the weight of the oil to be dispersed.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition having improved friction reducing properties and the method of reducing friction in internal combustion engines by lubricating said engines with said lubricating oil which contains an effective friction reducing amount of an additive which is the reaction product of dimer carboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups in combination with an oil soluble alkanol or an oil soluble alkyl phosphate.

Abstract: A method for treating particulate solids such as coal to reduce the cohesive strength of such solids when frozen which consists of spraying said solids with a hydrocarbon liquid solution of a balanced blend of surfactants which blend will form a single phase microemulsion at 20.degree. C. when added to water at the salinity of the water on said solids at a water to hydrocarbon ratio in the range between 99:1 and 85:15, said blend represented by the monoethanol amine salt of dodecyl o-xylene sulfonic acid and a dinonylphenol reacted with 9 moles of ethylene oxide, onto the wetted surface of said solids to form a single phase microemulsion which is optimally designed to undergo a lipophilic shift upon contacting the surface of said particles whereby an in-situ water-in-oil coarse emulsion is formed on the surfaces of said particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting organic material of oil-shale to predominantly liquids. The oil-shale is first heated to a temperature from about 360.degree. C. to 475.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere. The resulting liquids and gases are collected and the residue is extracted with a microemulsion capable of extracting organic material from the heat treated oil-shale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting organic material of oil-shale to predominantly liquids. The oil-shale is first heated to a temperature from about 360.degree. C. to 475.degree. C. in an anionic atmosphere. The resulting liquids and gases are collected and the residue is extracted with a microemulsion capable of extracting organic material from the heat treated oil-shale.

Abstract: A process for the enhanced recovery of oil from a subterranean formation using a polymer-microemulsion complex is disclosed. The polymer is polyethylene oxide or polyvinyl pyrrolidone and interacts with the surfactant of the microemulsion to form a physical association. The resulting complex is characterized by a complexation energy of at least 2 Kcal/mole. Slugs containing the present polymer-microemulsion complexes are stable at high salinity, show reduced destabilization due to surfactant adsorption and retention by the formation, have low interfacial tensions and achieve an early banking, as well as increased displacement of crude oil.

Abstract: A polymer-microemulsion complex useful for the enhanced recovery of crude oil is disclosed. The polymer is polyethylene oxide or polyvinyl pyrrolidone and interacts with the surfactant of the microemulsion to form a physical association. The resulting complex is characterized by a complexation energy of at least 2 Kcal/mole. The polymer microemulsion complexes are stable at high salinity, reduce adsorption and retention by the formation, lower interfacial tension, achieve retentions as low as 0.1 mg surfactant/gm sand at high salinity and provide for early banking, as well as high recovery of oil.

Abstract: The foam in acid gas scrubbing solutions created during an acid gas scrubbing process is reduced or eliminated by the addition of certain polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block cpolymers as defoaming agents. The defoaming agents are particularly effective when the acid gas scrubbing solution contains an amine having a large hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: The foam in acid gas scrubbing solutions created during an acid gas scrubbing process is reduced or eliminated by the addition of certain polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers as defoaming agents. The defoaming agents are particularly effective when the acid gas scrubbing solution contains an amine having a large hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: A method of preparation and application of a composition comprising specified microorganisms in combination with surfactants for a synergistic dispersal of oil slicks.