The present invention relates to a carbon-based substance for removing saturated and non-saturated fats, petroleum and petroleum products from a water surface and/or water emulsion. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for producing this carbon-based substance. More specifically, the present invention relates to use of this carbon-based substance for removing saturated and non-saturated fats, petroleum and petroleum products from a water surface of open waters, including seas and oceans.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the remediation of contaminated solids and liquids. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to the bioremediation of solids and liquids by a composition comprising a biocatalyst or mixture of biocatalysts. The present invention also relates to methods for producing the bioremediation compositions and methods for applying the bioremediation compositions to contaminated sites, including treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, as well as various contaminated water sources, such as aquifers and reservoirs.

Methods of making various capillary foams are provided. The foams can include liquid foams having a plurality of particles connected by a network of a secondary fluid at the interface between the discontinuous and continuous phase. The foams can also include solid foams where the continuous phases (bulk fluid) is removed to produce the solid foam having high overall porosities and low densities. Densities as low as 0.3 g cm.sup.3 and porosities as high as 95% or higher can be achieved. The secondary fluid can be polymerized to further strengthen the solid foam. Methods and devices are also provided for oil recovery from water using a capillary foam. The methods can include forming a capillary foam wherein the oil is the secondary fluid, and wherein the foam can transport the oil to the surface of the water.

Disclosed is a method of treating spent equilibrium catalyst (ECAT) for reuse, in which a quantity of spent ECAT comprising hydrophilic particles with differing levels of metal contamination is disposed into a reactor and treated to form carbon nanotubes on the particles having metal contamination, thereby rendering at least a portion of the spent ECAT particles hydrophobic; the hydrophobic particles can then be separated from the hydrophilic particles. Also disclosed is a method of remediating an oil spill using a carbon nanotube sponge material.

The present invention includes a method of controlling an oil spill through introduction of a plurality of magnetizable particles into the oil spill in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal mixture. An absorbent is also introduced into the oil spill to form an absorbent mixture. A magnetic field can be applied to the system to move, manipulate, or otherwise control the absorbent mixture in response to movement of the magnetic field.

A method for producing an additive for reclaiming oil from a fluid product stream and a treated silica with controlled hydrophobicity are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing silica or silicate with a particle size of between 3.0 m to 20 m, the silica or silicates having an agglomerate size of between 10 m to 100 m and being chosen to achieve the desired particle-size range and with a controlled level of hydrophobicity; treating the silica or silicate with a silicone or silane to make it hydrophobic; and controlling the hydrophobicity of the silica or silicate by varying the temperature and treatment time of the silica or silicate, amount of a treating material used to treat the silica or silicate, and the molecular weight of the treating material. The additive improves oil extraction and concentration from a fluid product stream.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the remediation of contaminated solids and liquids. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to the bioremediation of solids and liquids by a composition comprising a biocatalyst or mixture of biocatalysts. The present invention also relates to methods for producing the bioremediation compositions and methods for applying the bioremediation compositions to contaminated sites, including treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, as well as various contaminated water sources, such as aquifers and reservoirs.

The present invention includes a method of controlling an oil spill through introduction of a plurality of magnetizable particles into the oil spill in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal mixture. An absorbent is, also introduced into the oil spill to form an absorbent mixture. A magnetic field can be applied to the system to move, manipulate, or otherwise control the absorbent mixture in response to movement of the magnetic field.

In accordance with the present subject matter there is provided sugar-based compounds of formula I, methods of making such compounds, gels comprising such compounds, methods of making gels, methods of using such compounds for the containing spill of a hydrocarbon, and methods for reclaiming solvent from gels comprising such compounds. ##STR00001##

The invention relates to a method for treating an aqueous solution comprising at least an oil phase dispersed as drops in an aqueous phase, the oil being petroleum crude oil. According to the invention, at least the following steps are carried out: adding at least a tetravalent salt to the aqueous solution at a predetermined concentration, then separating by flotation the oil phase from the aqueous phase present in the aqueous solution to which at least the tetravalent salt has been added.

Application in particular to the treatment of a produced water or a produced effluent of petroleum origin.