Abstract: A sour gas mixture containing methane gas, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide is applied to a nonhomogenous membrane having a combined separation factor for hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide at least about 20. The gas mixture is delivered to the membrane at a Flow Rate Factor on the order of about 8 so that the Merit Factor of the membrane is maximized.

Abstract: A process for production of hydrogen from oil shale fines by direct introduction of the oil shale fines into a fluidized bed at temperatures about 1200.degree. to about 2000.degree. F. to obtain rapid heating of the oil shale. The bed is fluidized by upward passage of steam and oxygen, the steam introduced in the weight ratio of about 0.1 to about 10 on the basis of the organic carbon content of the oil shale and the oxygen introduced in less than the stoichiometric quantity for complete combustion of the organic carbonaceous kerogen content of the oil shale. Embodiments are disclosed for heat recovery from the spent shale and heat recovery from the spent shale and product gas wherein the complete process and heat recovery is carried out in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for control and maintenance of fluidized beds under non-steady state conditions. An ash removal conduit is provided for removing solid particulates from a fluidized bed separate from an ash discharge conduit in the lower portion of the grate supporting such a bed. The apparatus and process of this invention is particularly suitable for use in ash agglomerating fluidized beds and provides control of the fluidized bed before ash agglomeration is initiated and during upset conditions resulting in stable, sinter-free fluidized bed maintenance.

Abstract: A process for the separation of ethanol from water using solvent extraction at elevated pressures is disclosed. Separation is effected by contacting aqueous ethanol with either propylene (propene), allene (propadiene), methyl acetylene (propyne), or methyl allene (1,2-butadiene). This produces two liquid layers which separate because of the difference in their densities, and are easily drawn off as separate streams. The solvent is recovered by reverse osmosis means in a liquid state. The ethanol and water remain in a liquid state and are substantially recovered.

Abstract: A high-temperature direct-contact thermal energy storage element for use in a system for storage and retrieval of thermal energy in the range of about 400.degree. to about 3000.degree. F. The thermal energy is directly stored, without heat exchange tubes in composite latent/sensible heat thermal energy storage media utilizing the heat of fusion and high-temperature stability of alkaline metal and alkaline earth carbonates, chlorides, nitrates, nitrites, fluorides, hydroxides and sulfates and metal, metallic alloys and mixtures thereof maintained within a porous support-structure material which itself is capable of storage as sensible heat.

Abstract: A process for the separation of ethanol from water using solvent extraction at elevated pressures is disclosed. Separation is effected by contacting aqueous ethanol with either propylene (propene), allene (propadiene), methyl acetylene (propyne), or methyl allene (1,2-butadiene). This produces two liquid phases which separate because of the difference in their densities, and are easily drawn off as separate streams. The solvent is recovered by distillation and condensation using a heat pump to transfer heat. The ethanol and water remain in a liquid state and are substantially recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for frost control for the ambient air heat exchanger of a space conditioning apparatus. The ambient air heat exchanger is immersed in a fluidized bed enhancing the heat transfer and physically reducing frost formation. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidized bed is supported by a support bed of non-fluidized solid particles. In one of the embodiments the particulate beds may be desiccant materials. The space conditioning apparatus and method of frost control of this invention permits smaller ambient air heat exchangers and accommodates greater transient conditions due to the enhanced heat transfer and physical prevention of ice formation resulting from the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A high efficiency space conditioning process and apparatus for heating and cooling utilizing an absorption cycle in the nature of absorption heat pumps for heating and cooling. The invention provides a process and apparatus having a higher Coefficient of Performance than conventional absorption heat pumps by utilization of a substantially saturated salt solution cycle between at least one pair of: (1) an absorber and generator, or (2) a condenser and evaporator, wherein the salt is crystallized to the solid phase in the generator or evaporator, respectively, and the heat of crystallization is utilized for refrigerant vaporization occurring simultaneously.

Abstract: An electrically rechargeable anionically active reduction-oxidation electric storage-supply system and process is disclosed using a sodium or potassium sulfide-polysulfide anolyte reaction and an iodide-polyiodide, chloride-chlorine or bromide-bromine species catholyte reaction. The catholyte and anolyte are separated by an ion selective membrane permeable to positive sodium and potassium ions and substantially impermeable to negative bromide, chloride, iodide, sulfide and polysulfide ions. A flowing electrolyte system is disclosed with external electrolyte storage vessels. The apparatus and process provide an electrically rechargeable anionically active reduction-oxidation system in which the electrolytes may be maintained at near neutral or slightly basic pH, with virtually no parasitic side reactions upon charging, such as hydrogen or oxygen evolution, and the disclosed storage and supply system provides higher energy densities than referenced prior art systems.

Abstract: A process for recycling coal fines and ash particles in the reaction effluent from a fluidized bed gasification reactor for further gasification is disclosed. Surfaces of the reactor exit pipeline, cyclone inlet pipeline and first stage cyclone are maintained at a temperature lower than that of the effluent through the use of cooling jackets, thereby preventing ash adhesion on the surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for fluidized solids systems used in chemical and thermal processes wherein homogeneous, dense, fluidized bed conditions are attained at high superficial gas velocities with reduced back mixing of gases by use of multiple vertically arranged fluidized bed zones interconnected by downcomer conduits extending from the lower portion of an upper bed to the lower portion of a lower bed to provide high solids circulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for detecting a single specific chemical solid or gas in the presence of other chemical solids or gases or for detecting a number of specific mixed chemical solids or gases. The apparatus and process passes multiple beams of electromagnetic radiation incident on the material in a sample chamber producing acoustic signals at specific frequencies when light of specific wavelengths is absorbed. The electromagnetic radiation is selected to have wavelengths corresponding to optical absorption features of at least one specific chemical in the sample chamber. The acoustic signals are detected by at least one beat tone or combination tone characteristic of and representative of the degree of absorption by a specific chemical or multiple specific chemicals desired to be detected. The apparatus and process are especially useful in leak detection in natural gas systems and for detection of pollutants, explosive gases and the like.

Abstract: A heat actuated heat pumping apparatus and process having two working chambers to provide a Vuilleumier cycle for space conditioning. The working chamber volumes are in pressure communication with each other in the vicinity of intermediate thermal exchange means in each volume equalizing the pressure between the two working volumes with one module acting as the driver for the heat pumping action of the second module. Pressure communication may be maintained through a floating piston thereby providing two different intermediate heat rejection temperature levels resulting in a four temperature level Vuilleumier heat pump. The apparatus and process of this invention reduces mechanical complexity and improved thermal exchange in a heat pump system suitable for large air conditioning applications and hot water heating as well as small refrigeration and cryogenic applications.

Abstract: A reactive impeller for pressurizing hot flue gases. The impeller has a hub and blades exposed to the gases. The hub and blades are cooled by an internal cooling fluid, which is expelled from nozzles on the blades to drive the impeller so as to propel and pressurize the gases.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for production of fuels by photoelectrolysis of water and photooxidation of water soluble biomass and a process for preparation of Schottky-type metalized, appropriately doped n-type semiconductor photochemical diodes suitable for use in the above process and apparatus. The production of hydrogen by photoelectrolysis of water as the cathodic reaction of an optically illuminated photochemical diode is effected in an aqueous electrolyte which comprises a biomass product which may be monosaccharides, polysaccharides, lignins, their partially oxidized products, and mixtures thereof which are oxidized as the anodic reaction of the photochemical diode producing liquid fuels and useful chemicals. Molecular oxygen evolution is avoided and utilization of biomass product provides a cost effective material to increase fuels and useful chemical production by photoelectrolysis of water at potentials substantially less than required for normal water electrolysis involving oxygen evolution.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing agglomerated solids, e.g. ash, from a fluidized bed of finely divided solid hydrocarbonaceous material, e.g. coal, is described. Agglomeration is effected by a high temperature reaction between the inorganic constituents of the hydrocarbonaceous material in the fluidized bed environment. A venturi is utilized to serve as a passage for withdrawing the agglomerated solids from the fluidized bed. Spiral or other descending ridges are positioned on the interior surface of the constricted cylindrical opening of the venturi to permit variable and increased rates of agglomerate discharge with improved separation and classification of the solid materials.

Abstract: A process for electrolytic recovery of zinc wherein metallic zinc is deposited at the cathode while the anode is depolarized through oxidation of iodide ions to iodine, avoiding oxygen evolution at the anode. The iodide ions are chemically regenerated by extracellular oxidation of sulfur dioxide with water to produce iodide ions and hydrogen ions for recycle to the anode compartment. The utilization of iodide ions in the depolarization of the anode results in obtaining good deposits of elemental zinc at high faradic efficiencies resulting in energy saving of 30 to 40 percent over conventional electrowinning of zinc.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for production of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products from solid organic carbonaceous materials by reacting free falling solids with a countercurrent hydrogen-containing gas stream. The process is conducted with a lean solids phase which provides good process control and uniform flow of solids even in the presence of condensation and refluxing of liquids on the solid particles. Oil shales of the Eocene period having Modified Fischer Assays of less than about 9 gallons of oil per ton and representing less than half the organic carbon present in the oil shale are particularly well suited for the process of this invention. A reactor particularly suited for conducting reactions between free falling solids and countercurrent flowing gas streams is disclosed together with preferred methods for introduction of solid feeds to the top of the reactor including distribution baffles and fluidized bed feed distribution systems.

Abstract: A high-temperature direct-contact thermal energy storage element for use in a system for storage and retrieval of thermal energy in the range of about 400.degree. to about 2000.degree. F. The thermal energy is directly stored, without heat exchange tubes in composite latent/sensible heat thermal energy storage media utilizing the heat of fusion and high-temperature stability of alkaline metal and alkaline earth carbonates, chlorides, nitrates, nitrites, fluorides, hydroxides, sulfates, and mixtures thereof maintained within a porous support-structure material which itself is capable of storage as sensible heat. The thermal energy storage according to the invention may be effectively utilized for storage of thermal energy derived from solar, industrial waste, process heat, and high-temperature gas reactor energy sources and retrieved for a wide variety of uses such as combustion air preheating, drying, space heating, heating of process gases, and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing agglomerated solids, e.g. ash, from a fluidized bed of finely divided solid hydrocarbonaceous material, e.g. coal, is described. Agglomeration is effected by a high temperature reaction between the inorganic constituents of the hydrocarbonaceous material in the fluidized bed environment. A venturi is utilized to serve as a passage for withdrawing the agglomerated solids from the fluidized bed. Spiral or other descending ridges are positioned on the interior surface of the constricted cylindrical opening of the venturi. A tube, through which reaction gases pass, is centrally disposed within the constricted cylindrical opening to permit variable and increased rates of agglomerate discharge with improved separation and classification of the solid materials.