20130053455 | INJECTING WATER TO EXTRACT OIL FROM A MATERIAL - A method for extracting oil from a compressible solid material including oil droplets contained within respective droplet tissues includes injecting liquid water into the compressible solid material; mixing the liquid water into the compressible solid material; if the liquid water is not in a sub-critical condition, bringing the liquid water to the sub-critical condition; and vaporizing the liquid water for releasing energy into the compressible solid material. The released energy ruptures the tissues around at least one of the respective oil droplets for releasing the oil droplets from containment within the respective droplet tissues. The released, oil droplets are extractable by compressing the compressible solid material. | 02-28-2013 |