Abstract: Solid particles of various sizes are separated from viscous liquids, for example biomass from liquids of biotechnological processes, by pressure filtration by subjecting the inhomogeneous or homogenized suspension, without or after only a little dilution, to a pressure filtration whereby the solid particles of various sizes are retained according to size in a plurality of, in particular in from 1 to 3, superposed or juxtaposed filter stages on filter layers of various depths and on filter surfaces and are separated from the viscous liquid.

Abstract: Solid wastes, and wastes to be compacted, are pretreated for introduction into underground salt cavities or salt caverns via a downpipe under the force of gravity by a process in which solid, uncomminuted or comminuted or finely divided to very finely divided wastes are mixed with waste sludges in a ratio such that a material results from which moldings are produced, with or without the addition of a binder, in the form of granules, agglomerates or pellets by a granulation method, or in the form of flakes by a pressing method, the flakes being comminuted to give small moldings, and, if appropriate, the moldings are surface-dried or dried completely, the moldings which are free-flowing under the force of gravity are then trickled into the salt cavity or into the salt cavern and form a pile therein until the said cavity or cavern is substantially full, and, if required, the salt cavity or the salt cavern is closed.

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 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: 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.