Abstract: Polymers used in enhanced oil recovery operations, including polysaccharides, polyamides and cellulose derivatives may be crosslinked by the use of organic nitrogen compounds bearing at least two positively charged nitrogen atoms. Suitable crosslinking agents include the salts of aliphatic and aromatic diamines and bis (quaternary ammonium) compounds. The crosslinked copolymers may be used for mobility and permeability control purposes. The crosslinking agents are effective over a wide range of pH conditions to form stable gel structures with the polymers.

Abstract: A one or two-step process of treating high-sulfur caking coals for desulfurization, elimination of caking tendencies and incorporation of gasification catalyst thereon prior to steam- or hydrogasification thereof, or its use as a boiler fuel. In the one step process the coal is subjected to an aqueous lime/O.sub.2 (or air) treatment under controlled conditions of time, temperature and pressure to accomplish the foregoing, whereas in the two-step process the coal is first treated with oxygen or air in dilute alkaline slurry at elevated temperature and pressure to remove the sulfur and then treated with a lime slurry, under controlled temperature conditions to incorporate the catalytic inducing lime.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for restoring to environmentally acceptable levels the soluble contaminants in a subterranean formation that has been subjected to oxidative leaching. The contaminants are defined as those ionic species that when subjected to calcium ions form precipitates which are insoluble in the formation fluids. In accordance with the present invention, soluble calcium values are introduced into the formation. The level of contaminants is monitored and when such reaches the desired level, the introduction of soluble calcium values is stopped. The introduction of calcium values may be achieved in several ways one of which is to inject into the formation an aqueous solution containing therein solubilized calcium values. Another method of introducing calcium values into a formation, is to inject into the formation an aqueous solution containing carbon dioxide to solubilize calcium values, such as calcium carbonates, found in the formation.

Abstract: A process is described for restoring and maintaining the total ion exchange capacity of the resin used for uranium recovery in in situ uranium leaching. The used resin of lowered exchange capacity is treated with a solution containing Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 or NaHCO.sub.3, or admixtures thereof. The process preferably is used in conjunction with acid elution of the uranium from the resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the phase behavior of gas/oil mixtures at preselected controlled high temperatures and high pressures wherein a stream of oil and gas under controlled conditions of volume rate and pressure are separately introduced into a mixing chamber and then into a separator wherein the liquid oil phase separates by gravity into the bottom of the separator and the gas phase migrates by gravity to the top of the separator. The gas phase of the separator is in fluid communication with a pressure control system. Samples of oil and gas are separately withdrawn from the separator after thermo-dynamic equilibrium is reached in the mixing chamber and each sample is analyzed to measure the gas/oil ratio.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for restoring to environmentally acceptable levels the ammonia content in a subterranean formation which has been previously subjected to in situ oxidative leaching employing an ammonium leach solution by flushing the formation with carbonic acid.

Abstract: A thiosulfate-containing purge stream generated in a Stretford-type process for purifying a hydrogen sulfide contaminated gas stream is treated with a nickel ethylenediamine complex to remove thiosulfate as a nickel ethylenediamine thiosulfate precipitate. The precipitate is treated with acid to decompose the thiosulfate and then with lime to recover the nickel ethylenediamine complex for reuse.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing a gaseous oxidant (e.g., oxygen) and a lixiviant (e.g., an aqueous carbonate solution) at a downhole location in a well before the oxygen-saturated lixiviant is injected into a formation to be leached. The invention involves establishing a mixing zone in the well by positioning an orifice plate in the well at the downhole location. Lixiviant as it is flowed down the well passes through a restrictive opening in the plate causing a substantial increase in the flow velocity of the lixiviant. At the same time, gaseous oxidant is supplied to a point adjacent the opening in the plate and due to the increased velocity of the lixiviant flowing through the orifice, the oxidant is trapped to form a gas pocket below the orifice. Lixiviant flows through the gas pocket and becomes saturated with the gaseous oxidant.

Abstract: Process for the in-situ leaching of uranium from a subterranean ore deposit comprising introducing into the deposit an aqueous lixiviant formulated from a dilute sulfuric acid solution which also contains carbon dioxide. The lixiviant has a pH within the range of 1.0-2.5. The lixiviant may also contain an alkali metal sulfate such as sodium sulfate. The process is particularly applicable to subterranean deposits containing uranium associated with carbonaceous material.

Abstract: Process for the stabilization of formation clays by the use of aluminum in the in-situ leaching of uranium or the restoration of contaminated formations. The aluminum is added to a lixiviant having a pH in the range of 6-10 or to a restoration fluid having a pH of at least 6 in an amount effective for the stabilization of clays.

Abstract: Asphaltic compositions are obtained by heating solvent refined coal and sulfur to a temperature of 250.degree. F. to 800.degree. F. to provide asphaltic pitch-like compositions which are useful as paving binders and coating compositions.

Abstract: Asphalt compositions are provided containing a ductility improving amount of a refinery stream obtained in the form of a bottoms fraction from a thermofor catalytic cracking or fluid catalytic cracking operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel asphalt composition suitable for use as a binder for carbon electrodes which consists essentially of a homogeneous blend of three organic materials comprising (1) a highly aromatic hydrocarbon solvent having a specific combination of physical properties and chemical constituency, (2) a benzene-soluble fraction of solvent-refined coal and/or solvent-refined wood, and (3) a benzene-insoluble fraction of solvent-refined coal and/or solvent-refined wood. The novel asphaltic compositions is characterized by low sulfur content and high binding strength, which are desirable properties for application as a carbon electrode binder.

Abstract: Asphaltic compositions comprising waste material are obtained by heating a mixture of solid organic waste, sulfur, and a liquefaction solvent to a temperature of 300.degree. F. to 1000.degree. F. to provide asphaltic pitch-like compositions which are useful as paving binders and coating compositions. The method for producing paving compositions is compatible with current petroleum refining technology and affords a low-cost method of waste disposal.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method for solubilizing carbonaceous materials which comprises contacting and dissolving comminuted coal in a highly aromatic petroleum residum solvent having a special chemical constituency and physical properties, and thereafter separating the solution phase from the undissolved solids.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for solubilizing municipal refuse and other solid organic wastes in a highly aromatic refinery petroleum solvent to produce a homogeneous heavy oil or bitumen composition.

Abstract: A method of controlling calcite in an in situ leaching operation by retarding the growth of calcite crystals in the lixiviant only for the resident time that the lixiviant is in a critical area of the leach circuit and then allowing the calcite to precipitate from the lixiviant in a noncritical area. A chemical inhibitor, e.g., sodium hexametaphosphate, is added to the lixiviant as the lixiviant enters a critical area, e.g., from the bottom of a production well to surface processing equipment. The inhibitor is added to the lixiviant in an amount sufficient only to retard calcite precipitation while the lixiviant moves through a critical area but not to seriously impede calcite precipitation after the lixiviant exits the critical area.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for solubilizing coal and other solid carbonaceous materials which involves heating a slurry of comminuted carbonaceous material and liquefaction solvent in contact with water, carbon monoxide, and a catalytic quantity of alkanol to produce a heavy oil or bitumen composition.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel asphalt cement which is produced by solubilizing solvent-refined coal in a thermally stable refinery petroleum solvent.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for solubilizing wood or wood and coal mixtures in a highly aromatic refinery petroleum solvent to produce homogeneous compositions which have a flowable pitch-like consistency at ambient temperatures. The invention compositions are directly applicable as liquid fuels, or can be further processed into other desirable products.