Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production of synthesis gas from hydrocarbonaceous gases, wherein a hydrocarbonaceous gas is preheated, reacted with oxygen in the presence of steam, and quenched utilizing a rotating matrix comprising glassy ceramic fibers. After reaction with oxygen, the gases may be passed over a catalyst to further convert said hydrocarbonaceous gas to synthesis gas. Such method and apparatus is especially useful in a process for the production of methanol, wherein carbon dioxide in the synthesis gases is absorbed using crude methanol and recycled, by stripping the CO.sub.2 -rich crude methanol with gas which has passed over catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol under conversion conditions, thereby recycling and ultimately recovering as methanol yield carbon present in both carbon dioxide and unconverted methane present in said gases.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for partial oxidation of hydrocarbonaceous gases, wherein a hydrocarbonaceous gas is preheated, reacted with oxygen, and quenched by means of a rotating matrix comprising glassy ceramic fibers. Such a rotating matrix may be constructed and compartmented by a method and apparatus which utilizes the inherent tensile strength properties of the fibers to provide strength to the compartment walls. Such partial oxidation method and apparatus is especially useful in a direct, integrated process for the production of tert-butyl ethers, wherein the product of partially oxidizing methane and isobutane are caused to be methanol and isobutylene, which intermediates are directly recovered and combined to form methyl tert-butyl ether by method and apparatus of the invention. Furthermore, by-products of such partial oxidation may also be converted to useful tert-butyl ethers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making separations from aqueous solutions, particularly for removing water from aqueous solutions of electrolytes or other substantially non-volatile solutes, such as saline water. According to the invention, a solvent extraction process is employed which produces streams of lower and higher solute concentration in composition from an aqueous solution by contacting the aqueous solution with a solvent to produce an extract stream and a residual raffinate stream, the solvent having the property of dissolving water at a first lower temperature and substantially releasing it at a second higher temperature without substantially extracting the solute from the aqueous solution. The extract stream is contacted with a hotter aqueous reflux and thereby simultaneously heated and caused to have its content of undesired solute diminished.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the aquaculture of aquatic, non-air breathing, carnivorous animals, wherein a generally enclosed body of water is established, and aquatic non-air breathing, carnivorous species to be reared is disposed in said body of water, a filter-feeding aquatic non-air breathing species is also disposed in said body of water, and an aqueous euphotic zone containing phytoplankton is established in said body of water; the excreta from said carnivorous and filter-feeding species providing nutrients to said phytoplankton, said phytoplankton at least in part providing the food for said filter-feeding species, and said filter-feeding species at least in part providing the food for said carnivorous species.