Abstract: Process for treating wastewater containing citric acid and triethanolamine nd heavy metals by subjecting the wastewater to treatment with hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light (UV) and in the presence of ferrous ion as catalyst, to substantially decompose the citric acid and the triethanolamine. Wastewater generated from ship bilge cleaning and containing up to 10% citric acid or up to 5% triethanolamine, or mixtures thereof, can thus be subjected to UV/H.sub.2 O.sub.2 treatment with ferrous ion in a concentration thereof of about 20 to about 100 ppm, without forming chelates of iron and other heavy metals with citric acid or with triethanolamine, to decompose up to 90% or more of the citric acid and triethanolamine.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids are recovered from carbonaceous materials such as tar sands utilizing a separation reagent formed in situ by reacting polar resin components of tar sands with an inorganic base such as sodium silicate in sonicated aqueous solution in absence of an organic solvent to form a surfactant. Under the influence of sonication a microemulsion of polar-external micelles forms. The polar groups can associate with anions, especially polyanions such as silicate and act in a membrane mimetic manner to form vesicles. Cavities can form in the surfactant resin molecule that complex with guest cations such as titanium or other metals from the tar sand.When tar sands are added to the sonicated separation reagent, the surfactant penetrates the bitumen. Metal ions complex with the polar groups and aid in removing the bitument from the sand particles. The polarorganic asphaltene materials are carried into the aqueous phase by the anion and stabilized within the micelle structure.

Abstract: Mesophase formation is optimized in graphite and coke precursors by a process which includes determining the values of critical chemical parameters for proposed precursors, modifying the precursors by adjusting such critical chemical parameters as oxygen content, aromaticity and functionality to within certain predetermined optimal limits and treating the resulting modified precursors to form mesophase. Oxygen content can be adjusted by oxidation or reduction of the precursor. Aromaticity can be adjusted by suitable heat treatment. Functionality can be adjusted by derivatization.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids are recovered from carbonaceous materials such as tar sands utilizing a separation reagent formed in situ by reacting polar resin components of tar sands with an inorganic base such as sodium silicate in sonicated aqueous solution in absence of an organic solvent to form a surfactant. Under the influence of sonication a microemulsion of polar-external micelles forms.When tar sands are added to the sonicated separation reagent, the surfactant penetrates the bitumen. Metal ions complex with the polar groups and aid in removing the bitumen from the sand particles. The polar-organic asphaltene materials are carried into the aqueous phase by the anion and stabilized within the micelle structure. The lighter, non-polar hydrocarbon oil fraction separate from the emulsion and rise to the top and is recovered by skimming. The heavier asphaltenes and preasphaltenes complex with the polyvalent metals to form charcoal-like agglomerates which settle to the bottom of the treatment tank.

Abstract: Oil shale, particularly shale having high organic content and/or shallow burial, is fractured by contact with an amino compound, exemplified by ammonia (NH.sub.3) and hydrazine (H.sub.2 NNH.sub.2).

Abstract: Isolation of native petroleum surfactants for lowering interfacial tensions in aqeuous-alkaline systems. Petroleum of the type having reduced interfacial tension with water at high pH is subjected to fractionation by distillation including distillation under vacuum in the temperature range of 100.degree.-200.degree. C. to recover a surfactant fraction of the petroleum distilled in that temperature range. The fraction can be further concentrated by removing benzene-soluble components to obtain an ether-soluble residue having a density greater than water. The fraction alone, mixed with petroleum, or enriched with the residue, or the residue mixed with petroleum, can be injected as a slug into a subterranean oil reservoir to enhance tertiary recovery by alkaline water flooding. The amenability of a reservoir for alkaline flooding can be determined by separating the native surfactant fraction and measuring its interfacial tension with water at the proposed alkalinity of the floodwater.

Abstract: Isolation of native petroleum surfactants for lowering interfacial tensions in aqueous-alkaline systems. Petroleum of the type having reduced interfacial tension with water at high pH is subjected to fractionation by distillation including distillation under vacuum in the temperature range of 100.degree.-200.degree. C. to recover a surfactant fraction of the petroleum distilled in that temperature range. The fraction can be further concentrated by removing benzene-soluble components to obtain an ether-soluble residue having a density greater than water. The fraction alone, mixed with petroleum, or enriched with the residue, or the residue mixed with petroleum, can be injected as a slug into a subterranean oil reservoir to enhance tertiary recovery by alkaline water flooding. The amenability of a reservoir for alkaline flooding can be determined by separating the native surfactant fraction and measuring its interfacial tension with water at the proposed alkalinity of the floodwater.

Abstract: Anaerobic bacteria, e.g., of the Desulfovibrio family, are added to oil shale retort water producing an increase in cell biomass and reducing sulfate ions present to sulfide. The cell biomass is aggregated into a flocculent mass and removed. The sulfide can be oxidized and recycled to neutralize the retort water. Oxidation of sulfide to sulfate can be accomplished by addition of aerobic bacteria, e.g., of the Thiobacillus family.