Abstract: Methods for liberating organic carbonaceous products from mineral matrices such as oil shale and the products liberated by the present methods inter alia, the invention in a preferred embodiment subjects oil shale to resonance disintegration including inter alia rapid pressure and directional changes to essentially instantaneously vary forces acting thereon. Oil shale processed by non-impact processing according to the invention liberates kerogen from the mineral matrix to permit subsequent conversion to shale oil or other utilization.

Abstract: Methods for reducing potential pollutants in carbonaceous materials such as coal, lignites and the like prior to utilization such as by combustion, the invention in preferred embodiments processes such materials by resonance disintegration including inter alia subjection to rapid pressure increases and decreases to reduce the materials to particle sizes of a preferable mean value of approximately fifty microns or less. Pollutants such as sulfur, mercury and other heavy metals bound in a mineral fraction and micronized by such processing can then removed by classification techniques based on physical differences between a micronized carbonaceous fraction and the mineral fraction. Combustion of the micronized carbonaceous fraction substantially free of the mineral fraction results in emissions having reduced levels of sulfur, mercury and other toxic substances.

Abstract: Methods for processing of grains and the like and products produced by such processing, the invention in preferred embodiments subjects whole grains or portions of grains to rapid pressure and directional changes in a high velocity fluid stream to instantaneously vary forces acting thereon. Flours of reduced particle sizes having low starch value damage result, the present processing also permitting uniform blending of additives such as during comminution of the grains. Processed grains according to the invention are resistant to spoilage and clumping. Whole grain flours and white flours can be produced according to the invention. Bran, germ and endosperm of grains can also be separated.