Abstract: A multi-stage process for the digestion or conversion of organic matter includes supplying organic material-containing liquid (with or without solid) feed stock mixture to an inlet port in a multi-stage reactor vessel and causing micro organic or catalytic agents to digest or otherwise convert the organic matter within the interior of the reactor vessel to form liquid and/or gaseous by-product(s). The reactor includes an outer body portion defining an internal chamber and an inner rotatable rotor assembly. The rotor assembly has at least two plate members placed about a common central axis and constructed to divide the chamber into a series of three or more compartments, each compartment being bounded by a pair of oppositely located plate members or by a plate member and an end of the vessel.

Abstract: The production of biomass, such as algae, is carried out in a substantially transparent tube wound on an upstanding core structure. The exterior surface of the tube is exposed to natural light and the tube and/or the core is adapted to encourage light penetration into the tube in the region of contact between the tube and the core structure.

Abstract: In the extraction of bitumen oils from oil sands, the raw material is first slurried with a stream of hot water under conditions promoting the release of the bitumen oils without disintegration of clay in the raw material; the water to raw material is at least 1:1 by weight. The slurry is separated into an oil-rich component, a solids component, and a middlings component containing essentially water and fines with only minor proportions of oil and solids. The middlings component, after removal of the contained fines and the solids is recycled as a part of the slurrying water.

Abstract: A rotary digester comprises a shell having means at one end for entry of material to be digested and, at the opposite end, a liquids outlet surrounded by a solids outlets. The solids outlet has a screw which assists in preventing egress of unwanted liquid with the solids.

Abstract: A continuous contactor comprises a rotary tubular rotor through which the streams to be contacted flow. The rotor has an inner wall which is substantially cylindrical and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall. The rotor is divided internally into a number of rings of buckets by axial and radial separators. Each bucket has an opening in the cylindrical inner wall at the leading part of the bucket with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A process is described for the separation of impurities from an aqueous slurry, dispersion or suspension. Streams of aqueous phase and an organic phase comprising a non-polar organic liquid are passed through a multi-compartment rotary contactor. A collector reagent is present during at least part of the passage of the streams through the contactor and gives the impurities a hydrophobic surface. The phases are contacted by continuously bringing the aqueous and solvent phases into contact with one another while maintaining an interface between the two phases. The two phases and the interfacial layer containing at least some of the impurities are independently withdrawn.

Abstract: A process for treatment of a liquid stream, optionally comprising solids such as minerals, comprises passing at least two different treating reagents through contactors each comprising a drum with a rotor having axially spaced discs compartmentalizing the drum interior and carrying receptacles which rotate with the rotor and cause transfer of portions of one phase in the contactor to the other phase as the rotor turns. The liquid stream being treated is caused to flow along a path including, in succession, parts of each contactor so that the liquid stream is brought into contact with the reagents successively and in rotation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reforming hydrocarbons utilizing a fluidized bed furnace through which pass reformer tubes, the pressure in the fluidized bed and in the tubes being substantially the same and in excess of 50 atmospheres absolute. For hydrocarbons which have been steam reformed, the reformed high pressure product can be converted to synthesis gas for use in the high pressure catalytic synthesis of ammonia.