Abstract: Rhamnolipids with high surface activity are produced micro iologically in high yield per g of dry cell substance using Pseudomonas spec. DSM 2874 in the form of growing, resting and immobilized cell mass in an aqueous medium containing at least one assimilable carbon source at a pH of 6.7 to 7.3 and a temperature of 30.degree. to 37.degree. C. Two new rhamnolipids with only one .beta.-hydroxydecanoic acid residue in the molecule and defined as .alpha.-L-rhamnopyranosyl- and 2-O-.alpha.-L-rhamnopyranosyl-.alpha.-L-rhamnopyranosyl-.beta.-hydroxydeca noic acid with a molecular weight of 334 and 480, respectively, are obtained.

Abstract: Anionic, surface-active trehalose lipids, in which different organic acids are bound to a trehalose molecule by an ester linkage, are prepared by aerobically cultivating trehalose-producing microorganisms, capable of assimilating hydrocarbons, under growth-limiting conditions, but without limiting the oxygen.

Abstract: Rock salt solution contained in the salt cavern is pumped out, after which particulate solid waste materials are treated with dust suppressant agents to form free-flowing, non-dusting, readily usable mixtures, which are introduced into the cavern by trickling, or the salt cavern filled with rock salt solution is filled with a pumpable mixture of solid and liquid waste materials in such a way that the displaced volume of salt solution is pumped out and, after filling the cavern to about two thirds to three quarters of its volume, the water of the liquid phase is bound in the form of water of crystallization or as hydroxide or physically by adsorption through addition of hydrophilic compounds or substances as a means of solidifying it, and the cavern is then sealed.

Abstract: Oil polluted water or solid adsorbents are treated with microbially produced glycolipids to separate the oil phase. The treatment may be carried out in an apparatus which can be taken to the site and which comprises a mixing vessel supported by an undercarriage and provided with a storage container to supply the glycolipids, filling means, overflow discharge means and outlet means at its base.

Abstract: A liquid waste with a pH of 7 or more, which has been adjusted above ground if necessary, is treated above ground to produce a pumpable mixture, which has aboiling point above 85.degree. C.,flash point above 65.degree. C.,vapor pressure at 60.degree. C. of up to 0.5 kp/cm.sup.2, andviscosity of less than 300 cPand which forms no toxic or flammable gases. The mixture is then conveyed to a salt cavity and allowed to stand until phase separation has occurred before the resulting liquid phases are separately drawn off for further treatment or disposal.

Abstract: Pumpable wastes are mixed in salt caverns with soluble or dissolved salts, which crystallize at the cavern temperature with bonding of water of crystallization; or with organic waste materials which solidify in the liquid phase of the cavern contents or increase the density of the cavern contents; or with solid waste materials, whereby the specific gravity of the liquid phase is increased in order to narrow the difference between the specific gravity of the salt mineral of the cavern wall and the specific gravity of the liquid phase of the cavern contents and the caverns are sealed.

Abstract: A method and process for preventing the penetration and/or adhesion of hydrocarbons such as crude oil or mineral oil-hydrocarbons into or respectively on objects. The natural and/or constructed objects are sprayed with an aqueous solution and/or dispersion of glycolipids resulting in a thin layer covering the object. A hydrocarbon composition can contact the sprayed object and the resulting hydrocarbon; containing mass can be removed with a pressurized water jet. Various ways exist for degrading or separating the hydrocarbons from the run-off. Preferably the aqueous solution and/or dispersion is treated with ultrasonics before being applied to the surfaces of the objects.

Abstract: Salt caverns or cavities are used only for intermediate storage and not for permanent storage of liquid pumpable wastes, to avoid above ground installations for such operations as phase separation, neutralization and sedimentation. The caverns may be used in combination or in series.

Abstract: A process for extracting crude oil from tar sands and clay-like materials. This is accomplished by adding a mixture of a trahalose lipid with water to the tar sands and subjecting the mixture to intensive agitation at 60.degree.-90.degree. C. to form a slurry and separating the slurry to recover a crude oil/water mixture.

Abstract: Oils or petroleum hydrocarbons are separated from solid or solid/liquid mixtures thereof with soil, sand or oil processing residues, by treating these oil-containing mixtures with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a crude extract of microbially produced glycolipids and separating the oil-containing phase from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Oil polluted water or solid adsorbents are treated with microbially produced glycolipids to separate the oil phase. The treatment may be carried out in an apparatus which can be taken to the site and which comprises a mixing vessel supported by an undercarriage and provided with a storage container to supply the glycolipids, filling means, overflow discharge means and outlet means at its base.

Abstract: A process and installation for the flooding of petroleum deposits and oil shale and, more particularly, through the use of dispersions of non-ionogenic, boundary surface-active materials in water as the flooding medium. For the flooding of petroleum-hydrocarbon materials from petroleum deposits and oil shale there can be utilized dispersions of non-ionogenic, boundary surface-active glycolipids, and such preferred structures can be employed which are produced from hydrocarbon mixtures as the C-source. This is effected in two stages with predetermined technological measures. In the first stage, there are initially produced glycolipids through microorganisms with alkane mixtures under predetermined parameters in semi- or continual process cycles and, in the second stage, separated from the cellular material through temperature, pH, osmotic shock. The formed glycolipids can also be separated from the cellular material with unpolarized, organic solvent media.

Abstract: After physical removal of the majority of the oil on the surface of the water, the thin film remaining is treated with microbial metabolites which reduce the surface and interface tension and cause the formation of oil agglomerates. These agglomerates may be drawn off or left to be degraded by hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms normally present in the sea water or added thereto.