Abstract: A system and method of preventing groundwater contamination by a plume of liquid born toxic contaminants that includes establishing a dry barrier between a plume of liquid contaminants and the water table to immobilize the toxic contaminants. The dry barrier is formed by transporting dry gas into the barrier region, such as with injector wells, and then removing it and any moisture it has absorbed, such as with extraction wells to create a layer or bowl shaped structure that is so dry that liquid borne contaminants cannot pass therethrough. By maintaining the barrier, the contaminants form an immobile crust above the barrier which assists in prevention of liquid transport of contaminants into the groundwater. The system is particularly effective when radioactive contaminants are involved because the contaminants can remain fixed and undisturbed underground.

Abstract: The present invention is a bacteria and its use in a Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) process. Any one of two newly isolated strains of bacteria are injected downhole in a petroleum reservoir to modify its profile. This bacteria has the capability to plug the zones of higher permeability within the reservoir so that a subsequent waterflood may selectively enter the oil bearing less permeable zones. The injected water is used to drive this oil to an area where it may then be recovered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the utilization of energy in gas of low heating value. The low heating value gas is preheated, mixed with an amount of air that will provide oxygen in an amount that will limit the maximum temperature rise in a catalytic combustion chamber to avoid excessive temperatures, and delivered into the catalytic combustion chamber at a temperature exceeding about 400.degree. F. that will cause ignition of the combustibles on contact with the catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, combustion is accomplished in two combustion chambers connected in series with a heat exchanger between the combustion chambers for cooling the combustion products discharged from the first combustion chamber before they are delivered to the next combustion chamber. Approximately fifty percent of the total combustion air is mixed with the combustible gas before delivery into each of the combustion chambers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the utilization of energy in gas of low heating value discharged from a production well of an in-situ combustion process for the production of oil. The low heating value gas is mixed with an amount of air that will provide oxygen in an amount that will limit the maximum temperature rise in a catalytic combustion chamber to avoid excessive temperatures regardless of changes in composition of the low heating value gas. The mixture is preheated and delivered into the catalytic combustion chamber at a temperature exceeding about 400.degree. F. that will cause ignition of the combustibles on contact with the catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, combustion is accomplished in two combustion chambers connected in series with a heat exchanger between the combustion chambers for cooling the combustion products discharged from the first combustion chamber before they are delivered to the next combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas turbine system for the recovery of power from fuel gases having a low heating value, i.e., below about 80 Btu/scf, and usually in the range of 35 to 70 Btu/scf, has an external catalytic combustor. The catalytic combustor is divided into a primary and a secondary catalytic combustion chamber with a heat exchanger between the two combustion chambers. In the preheater the low heating value gas mixed with combustion air is passed in indirect heat exchange with products of combustion from the first combustion chamber before the low heating value gas is delivered to the first combustion chamber. The turbine system is particularly advantageous in recovering power from low heating value gas in which the combustibles are hydrocarbons, primarily methane.

Abstract: A method for recovering shale oil and gas from subsurface oil shale deposits in which free space is formed in the shale deposit and relieved blasting toward the free space from first shot holes drilled into the shale from the ground surface fills the free space with rubble. In-situ combustion of the rubblized shale decomposes organic material in the shale to form shale oil and gas, which are conveyed by combustion products through the shot holes to the surface, and leave a weak, easily compressible spent shale. After the in-situ combustion, shale surrounding the spent shale is rubblized by explosives detonated in second shot holes blasting toward the previously retorted zone. The second shot holes, which also are drilled from the surface into the shale, are spaced laterally from the first shot holes. The rubblized shale is then retorted by in-situ combustion. The successive rubblizing and in-situ combustion steps can be repeated to move the combustion operation laterally through the shale deposit.