Abstract: A method of hydrolyzing woody cellulosic material containing lignin and air pockets involves impregnating the woody cellulosic material a first alkali having a pH of from 10 to 14 such that the first alkali is in contact with the lignin within the woody cellulosic material. Thereafter, the woody cellulosic material is advanced through a gravity pressure vessel for the acid hydrolysis conversion of cellulosic material to sugars. In accordance with other methods, ultrasound may be introduced during impregnation or at the gravity pressure vessel or both.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting supercritical wet oxidation reactions wherein any precipitated solids do not contact the solid side walls of the containment vessel so as to prevent any of these precipitated solids from adhering to or corrode the vessel walls is provided. To do this, a controlled, continuous flow of clean fluid, preferably under supercritical conditions, is introduced to the process so as to form a film-like, clean fluid surface between the physical containment vessel walls and the supercritical wet oxidation reactants.

Abstract: A retort apparatus includes a primary rotating pipe within a second rotating pipe within a fixed pipe (27). The interior area of the primary rotating pipe is bounded by a heated pipe. A first annulus is formed between the primary and second rotating pipes. A second annulus is formed between the second rotating pipe and the heated pipe. A third annulus is formed between the primary rotating pipe and the fixed pipe. A heater is positioned within the interior area of said primary rotating pipe. In one embodiment, an inlet gate is provided for introducing a liquid and solid mixture into the first annulus proximate the second end thereof. A first conveyor is provided to move the mixture toward the hot end of the primary rotating pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting supercritical wet oxidation reactions wherein any precipitated solids do not contact the solid side walls of the containment vessel so as to prevent any of these precipitated solids from adhering to or corrode the vessel walls is provided. To do this, a controlled, continuous flow of clean fluid, preferably under supercritical conditions, is introduced to the process so as to form a film-like, clean fluid surface between the physical containment vessel walls and the supercritical wet oxidation reactants.

Abstract: A method for separating dissolved materials, including organic and inorganic solids and volatile constituents, from a liquid or aqueous solvent is disclosed. The method first extracts water from the flow stream being treated using a crystallization apparatus which freezes the water onto a continuous loop wire rope and withdraws the wire rope from the chamber containing the feed stream. The resultant concentrated solution is then subjected to a different process of evaporation by heating at reduced pressures resulting in the efficient separation of the materials in solution from the liquid medium while conserving energy. This procedure is considered highly effective in allowing for the concentration of the materials and then the extraction of the materials in solution and the recycling and reuse of the water or other liquid.

Abstract: A method for treating vulcanized rubber, the method including the steps of (i) providing an aqueous stream that includes vulcanized rubber particles suspended in water, (ii) feeding the aqueous stream to the top of a hydraulic downdraft column, (iii) conducting the aqueous stream to the bottom of the hydraulic downdraft column, (iv) conducting the aqueous stream into an ultrasonic treatment zone, (v) subjecting the aqueous stream to ultrasonic energy and, (vi) conducting the aqueous stream up a hydraulic updraft column.

Abstract: A method for treating a waste stream, the method including the steps of providing a waste stream that includes waste solids suspended in water, feeding the waste stream to the top of a hydraulic downdraft column, conducting the waste stream to the bottom of the hydraulic downdraft column, conducting the waste steam to a first reaction zone, introducing nitrogen-containing oxides into the first reaction zone so that the waste stream is contacted with the nitrogen-containing oxides, conducting the waste stream up a hydraulic updraft column into a second reaction zone, where the second reaction zone is configured to provide sufficient time so that a reaction between the nitrogen-containing oxides and waste solids can take place and substantially consume the nitrogen-containing oxides, introducing oxygen gas into the waste steam after the nitrogen-containing oxides are substantially consumed, thereby providing a second reactant that reacts with waste solids suspended within the stream, conducting the stream to th

Abstract: A method for treating a waste stream, the method including the steps of providing a waste stream that includes waste solids suspended in water, feeding the waste stream to the top of a hydraulic downdraft column, conducting the waste stream to the bottom of the hydraulic downdraft column, conducting the waste steam to a first reaction zone, introducing nitrogen-containing oxides into the first reaction zone so that the waste stream is contacted with the nitrogen-containing oxides, conducting the waste stream up a hydraulic updraft column into a second reaction zone, where the second reaction zone is configured to provide sufficient time so that a reaction between the nitrogen-containing oxides and waste solids can take place and substantially consume the nitrogen-containing oxides, introducing oxygen gas into the waste steam after the nitrogen-containing oxides are substantially consumed, thereby providing a second reactant that reacts with waste solids suspended within the stream, conducting the stream to th

Abstract: Cellulosic material is converted to ethanol by hydrolyzing the cellulosic material in a gravity pressure vessel (50), and fermenting the product thereof. The gravity pressure vessel (50) employed is adapted to accommodate a continuous hydrolysis reaction and maximize the fermentable product yield on a commercial scale. The gravity pressure vessel (50) employed is also adapted to maximize the thermodynamic efficiencies of the hydrolysis reaction, as well as the entire ethanol producing process.

Abstract: Cellulosic material is converted to ethanol by hydrolyzing the cellulosic material in a gravity pressure vessel (50), and fermenting the product thereof. The gravity pressure vessel (50) employed is adapted to accommodate a continuous hydrolysis reaction and maximize the fermentable product yield on a commercial scale. The gravity pressure vessel (50) employed is also adapted to maximize the thermodynamic efficiencies of the hydrolysis reaction, as well as the entire ethanol producing process.

Abstract: A device for cleaning opposing surfaces (13, 14) of concentric columns (11, 12) is formed from a strip of material (20) configured as a spiral having inside and outside edges (21, 22) such that each edge (21, 22) forms a helix. The device (10) is utilized by introducing it between the concentric columns (11, 12). The strip (20) inside edge (21) abuts the opposing surface (13) of the inner column (11), and the outside edge (22) abuts the opposing surface (23) of the outside column (12). The device (10) is forced to travel along the lengths of the columns (11, 12) by an hydraulic fluid downflow thereby scraping deposits from the opposing surfaces (13, 14).

Abstract: A containment casing (10) for a deep well/gravity pressure reactor vessel includes a plurality of casing sections (11) each having a wall portion (20) with corrugations (21). An inner liner (24) and an exterior liner (25) prevent grout material (13) from entering the corrugations (21) during installation. Additionally, inner liner (24) is capable of supporting the hanging weight of the casing sections (11), and yet is susceptible to failure due to stresses induced by thermal fluctuations. The corrugations (21) allow for thermal expansion without a buildup of compression stresses and further allow for angular deviations of the casing (10).