Abstract: A continuous process for recovery of oil and energy from oil shale. Particulate oil shale (1) is mixed with hot particulate heat carrier (2) containing free lime and retorted at conventional retorting temperatures in the presence of a purge gas (3). The purge gas comprises compounds which can react with the free lime. The mixture of spent shale and heat carrier solids (5) is separated from the product gas and vapors (4) and the solids are combusted in air (6),(7) with the optional addition of materials (8) to control the free lime content of the ash product from combustion. A stream of particles (12), extracted from the combustor is separated into a larger portion of coarser hot shale ash which is recirculated to the retorting zone as heat carrier. A smaller stream (15) is disposed of as waste after separating the energy (17) therefrom. The sensible and chemical heat from the waste solids and the sensible heat from the gases leaving the combustion zone, is recovered (J).

Abstract: A process for the reflux refining of metals in which impure metal crystals within a column of the liquid metal are transported from a cool zone through a temperature gradient to a hot zone, wherein melting of the crystals occurs; said transport being facilitated by the use of a mechanical device comprising a plurality of elements movably supported at spaced-apart locations within the column, each element being of small maximum transverse cross-sectional area relative to that of the column, said elements being moved at least reciprocally in the direction of extent of the column, whereby in consequence of the shape and movement of the elements there is, in the vicinity of each element, a net displacement of crystals towards the hot zone.