Abstract: Apparatus for releasing bitumen components of an earth aggregate by establishing a current flow within an electrolyte contained in a volume of the aggregate which has been isolated from the surrounding earth. The current flow electrochemically acts on the molecular bonds between the bitumen and the aggregate, thus releasing the bitumen. In addition, gases are released and absorbed by the bitumen which, along with the heat produced by passage of the current through the electrolyte, acts to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen. As the viscosity is reduced to the stage where the bitumen is liquid, gravitational action allows the bitumen to separate from the aggregate into a stratum which permits easy removal thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering geopressured methane gas dissolved in ocean depths including at least a pair of spaced-apart electrodes lowered into electrical contact with the geopressured methane dissolved in the ocean salt water at a selected depth. The salt water carrying the dissolved methane gas acts as an electrolyte. The electrodes are insulated from substantially all overlying ocean above the selected depth to establish an electrical circuit composed of the spaced-apart electrodes and the salt water electrolyte at the selected depth containing the methane gas. An AC electrical current flow is then established through the electrodes and the salt water electrolyte for establishing an AC electrical field surrounding the electrodes and releasing molecules of free methane gas which rises vertically to the ocean surface. Means are provided at the ocean surface for trapping and recovering the free methane gas.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering natural gas from geopressured salt water by discharging the geopressured salt water from the subsurface strata into a variable volume tank at substantially atmospheric pressure. By flowing the discharged salt water over a plurality of mechanical baffles prior to entry of the salt water into the interior of the variable volume tank, release of the gas dissolved in the salt water is enhanced. In addition, electrodes are positioned in the path of the salt water flowing through the baffle area, and an AC electric current is established therethrough which aids in the release of additional hydrocarbon gases from the salt water. The pressurized hot salt water may also be utilized to generate electrical or mechanical energy before or after the release of the dissolved gases.

Abstract: In a leaching process to recover a selected element or mineral from a gangue, an AC current is applied to the mixture to accelerate the rate at which chemical reactions occur. If the treated material is located in a subsurface earth formation, the AC current may further generate gases in situ to assist in moving and circulating the leaching solution in the formation and to bring the dissolved mineral value to the surface through a borehole or the like. This acceleration of the chemical reactions can shorten the effective leaching time from weeks or months to a matter of hours or days, thereby greatly affecting the rate of recovery of the mineral value and making such leach mining economical on a commercial basis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for releasing bitumen components of an earth aggregate by establishing a current flow within an electrolyte contained in a volume of the aggregate which has been isolated from the surrounding earth. The current flow electrochemically acts on the molecular bonds between the bitumen and the aggregate, thus releasing the bitumen. In addition, gases are released and absorbed by the bitumen which, along with the heat produced by passage of the current through the electrolyte, acts to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen. As the viscosity is reduced to the stage where the bitumen is liquid, gravitational action allows the bitumen to separate from the aggregate into a stratum which permits easy removal thereof.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, method and apparatus include providing an electrode disposed in a plurality of insulated, spaced boreholes penetrating the oil formation. The plurality of electrodes in contact with a water electrolyte in the formation are connected to a source of AC electrical power for establishing a current flow between the spaced electrodes and through the oil bearing formation by means of the electrolyte. The electrodes are insulated from the earth structure surrounding the boreholes for preventing an electrical current path between the electrodes and the earth structure for isolating the electrical current path between the electrodes and the formation. When the AC current passing through the formation surpasses a minimum current density, AC disassociaton of the H.sub.

Abstract: In a leaching process to recover a selected element or mineral from a gangue, an AC current is applied to the mixture to accelerate the rate at which chemical reactions occur. If the treated material is located in a subsurface earth formation, the AC current may further generate gases in situ to assist in moving and circulating the leaching solution in the formation and to bring the dissolved mineral value to the surface through a borehole or the like. This acceleration of the chemical reactions can shorten the effective leaching time from weeks or months to a matter of hours or days, thereby greatly affecting the rate of recovery of the mineral value and making such leach mining economical on a commercial basis.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, method and apparatus include providing an electrode disposed in a plurality of vertically spaced boreholes penetrating the formation. The plurality of electrodes in contact with the salt water and oil of the formation are connected to a source of electrical power for establishing an AC electrical field of current flow between the spaced elctrodes. The electrodes are insulated from the earth structure surrounding the borehole for preventing an electrical current path between the electrodes and the earth structure for isolating the electrical current path from the electrode into the formation. The AC electrical current path through the formation generates volumes of free hydrogen in the formation where it is trapped for increasing the formation pressure. The increased pressure of the formation will drive the oil into producing boreholes spaced from the electrode boreholes.