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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of crude petroleum from mineral oil deposits, utilizing hot water flooding or alkali containing hot water flooding is described.