Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastes by gasification recovers metals or ash content in the wastes in such a state that they can be recycled, and gases containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H.sub.2) for use as synthesis gas of ammonia (NH.sub.3). The wastes are gasified in a fluidized-bed reactor at a relatively low temperature, and gaseous material and char produced in the fluidized-bed reactor are introduced into the high-temperature combustor. The synthesis gas is produced in the high-temperature combustor at a relatively high temperature, CO and H.sub.2 O in the synthesis gas is converted into CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2, and then H.sub.2 is recovered by removing CO.sub.2.

Abstract: In an improved method of treating foul water, the solids that are produced during the process of treatment of foul water such as wastewater or liquid sludges are treated with a heat treatment apparatus and the resulting thermal energy and/or gas is utilized in the treatment of said foul water. The foul water may be subjected, directly and/or after a treatment, to a filtration step using a filter packed with nonflammable particulate matter such as sand, and the trapped solids are fed into a fluidized-bed heat treatment apparatus such as a fluidized-bed incinerator or gasification furnace and, thereafter, the nonflammable particulate matter in the heat treatment apparatus is returned to the filtration step. The foul water can be treated with effective utilization of the energy of the organic matter in the foul water or the solids that are produced during the process of its treatment.

Abstract: The improved method of treating an exhaust gas from a combustion apparatus comprises adding ammonia to the exhaust gas and then irradiating it with an electron beam, characterized in that part or all of said ammonia is supplied as a separated portion of ammonia-containing water. The ammonia-containing foul water may contain feces excreted from humans and/or domestic animals and poultry, fermentation industry liquid waste or food processing wastewater. The organic waste-containing water may be digested anaerobically to convert the organic matter to methane gas and, subsequently, ammonia is separated from the supernatant liquor and used as the source of ammonia to be supplied. The methane gas is suitably used as a source of energy for the combustion apparatus. At least part of the organic matter in the organic foul water may be decomposed oxidatively and, subsequently, ammonia is separated for use as the source of ammonia to be supplied.