Abstract: An aqueous composition containing an amine oxide surfactant, and preferably containing an amine oxide surfactant and enzymes, is added to crude oil, preferably by injecting the composition into the oil well, or adding the composition to pipelines or tankage containing the oil. An acid can also be used in conjunction with the composition. The composition acts to remove hydrocarbon contamination, from the well bore and mechanical components and further serves to break up the oil/water/sludge emulsion being delivered from the well head to facilitate separation of the oil. When used with an acid, the composition increases the effectiveness of the acid in removing inorganic contamination.

Abstract: A method of removing hazardous sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans and sulfur oxides, from a fluid stream comprising contacting the fluid stream with an aqueous composition comprised of a tertiary amine oxide. The amine oxide reacts with the hazardous sulfur compounds to eliminate the compounds from the fluid stream.

Abstract: A method of removing hazardous sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, from sour crude oil and sour natural gas. An aqueous composition of an amine oxide surfactant, and preferably a mixture of an amine oxide surfactant and enzymes, is mixed with the sour crude oil or sour natural gas. The surfactant reacts with the hazardous sulfur compounds to eliminate the evolution of the compounds from the crude oil or gas and the enzymes act to catalyze the reaction.

Abstract: A method of cleaning contaminated industrial equipment. An aqueous solution containing an enzyme and a surfactant having the formula: ##STR1## where n is 6-20, is agitated in contact with the equipment to remove oil contamination and provide a water/oil dispersion. The water/oil dispersion is then permitted to stand in a quiescent state to form an oil phase separate from the water phase, and the oil phase is then separated from the water phase.

Abstract: A method of separating oleophilic-hydrophobic material from wash water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of mixing with the wash water, either alone or in combination, about 30-2100 ppm of a surfactant having the formula: ##STR1## where n is 6-20; and about 1-200 ppm of an enzyme selected from the group consisting of proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, pectinases and mixtures thereof. The mixture of wash water surfactant and/or enzyme is then permitted to stand for a time sufficient for the oleophilic-hydrophobic material to separate.

Abstract: A method of cleaning industrial equipment by utilizing an ebullated aqueous solution containing an amine oxide surfactant. The aqueous solution is preferably heated in a vessel, such as a batch coker fractionator in an oil refinery, to a temperature sufficient to ebullate or foam the solution and generate a substantial quantity of foam. The surfactant is carried by the foam bubbles and transported from the vessel to a contaminated surface outside of the cascading and circulating system of the vessel where the surfactant acts to remove the contamination.

Abstract: A method of cleaning industrial equipment by utilizing an ebullated aqueous solution containing a surfactant and enzymes. The aqueous solution is preferably heated in a vessel, such as a batch coker fractionator in an oil refinery, to a temperature sufficient to ebullate or foam the solution and generate a substantial quantity of foam. The surfactant and enzymes are carried by the foam bubbles and transported from the vessel to a contaminated surface outside of the cascading and circulating system of the vessel where the surfactant and enzymes act to remove the contamination.

Abstract: A method of separating oleophilic-hydrophobic material from wash water is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing with the wash water, about 30-2100 ppm of a surfactant having the formula: ##STR1## where n is 6-20; and about 1-200 ppm of an enzyme chosen from among proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, pectinases and mixtures thereof. The mixture of wash water surfactant and/or enzyme is then permitted to stand for a time sufficient for the oleophilic-hydrophobic material to separate.