Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of PCBs or similar refractory organic substances from solid surfaces, such as soil or hardware, e.g., capacitors and transformers containing a charge or residue of PCB or similar fluids. Such toxic substances are volatilized from substrates contaminated therewith by contacting them with carrier gas, such as a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and steam. The carrier gas and volatilized components are introduced into a partial oxidation zone of a gas generator where PCBs are completely destroyed at a temperature range of 2800.degree. F. to 3500.degree. F.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of fuel pellets or briquettes from sewage sludge solids. In one of its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a solid pelleted fuel product consisting essentially of sewage sludge solids and caking coal and to its method of preparation. In still another of its specific aspects, this invention relates to a method for the production of fuel gases from sewage sludge solids.

Abstract: Toxic refractory organic substances are decomposed by exposing them to an oxidizing medium and steam at a temperature in the range of 2500.degree. F. to 3200.degree. F. for a period of 5 to 500 milliseconds in a reaction chamber. The toxic refractory organic substance can be dioxins, polyhalogenated byphenyls, organophosphates, halogenated biocides, waste streams from the production of said toxic substances, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Toxic refractory organic substances are decomposed by reaction with oxygen and steam at a temperature in the range of 2500.degree. F. to 3200.degree. F. Such toxic refractory organic compounds as PCB's, may be completely destroyed without contamination of the environment.

Abstract: Toxic refractory organic substances are decomposed by exposing them to an oxidizing medium and steam at a temperature in the range of 2500.degree. F. to 3200.degree. F. for a period of 5 to 500 milliseconds in a reaction chamber. The toxic refractory organic substance can be dioxins, polyhalogenated byphenyls, organophosphates, halogenated biocides, waste streams from the production of said toxic substances, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Briquettes of specified geometry and composition are produced to serve as feed material or "burden" in a moving-burden gasifier for the production of a synthesis or fuel gas from organic solid waste materials and coal, including especially, the so-called "caking" coals, as in the process of copending application number 675,918. The briquettes are formed from a well-blended mixture of shredded organic solid wastes, including especially, municipal solid waste (MSW) or biomass, and crushed caking coal, including coal fines. A binder material may or may not be required, depending on the coal/MSW ratio and the compaction pressure employed. The briquettes may be extruded, stamped, or pressed, employing compaction pressures in excess of 1000 psi, and preferably in the range of 2000 to 10,000 psi. The briquettes may be circular, polygonal, or irregular in cross-section; they may be solid, or concentrically perforated to form a hollow cylinder or polygon; they may be formed into saddles, pillows or doughnuts.

Abstract: Briquettes of specified geometry and composition are produced to serve as feed material or "burden" in a moving-burden gasifier for the production of a synthesis or fuel gas from organic solid waste materials and coal, including especially, the so-called "caking" coals, as in the process of copending application number 675-918. The briquettes are formed from a well-blended mixture of shredded organic solid wastes, including especially, municipal solid waste (MSW) or biomass, and crushed caking coal, including coal fines. A binder material may or may not be required, depending on the coal/MSW ratio and the compaction pressure employed. The briquettes may be extruded, stamped, or pressed, employing compaction pressures in excess of 1000 psi, and preferably in the range of 2000 to 10,000 psi. The briquettes may be circular, polygonal, or irregular in cross-section; they may be solid, or concentrically perforated to form a hollow cylinder or polygon; they may be formed into saddles, pillows or doughnuts.

Abstract: Gaseous fuels are produced by a process which involves simultaneous gasification of coal and pyrolysis of organic solid waste materials in a pollution-free conversion system. According to this process, a mixture of coal and organic solid waste materials is fed to the top of a reaction vessel such as a vertical shaft furnace or a blast furnace, wherein the feed is dried by heat exchange with the gases rising from the lower section of the reactor. Steam and an oxidant gas containing at least 75 volume percent oxygen are introduced to the bottom of the reactor for partially combusting coke and char in a partial combustion zone thereby providing the thermal driving force for the reactions in the reactor. The organic solid waste materials are pyrolyzed and the volatile components of the coal destructively distilled simultaneously in the presence of hydrogen in a pyrolysis and coking zone of the reactor wherein the organic solid waste materials are converted into char and the coal is converted into coke.