Abstract: A processing for producing silicon carbide whiskers in which a source of silica is mixed with a residual oil or crude petroleum and the resultant mixture is heated in a substantially nonoxidizing atmosphere at temperature sufficiently high to carbonize the residual oil or crude petroleum, thereby forming an intimate mixture of carbon and silica. The intimate mixture is then heated in a nonoxidizing atmosphere in the presence of a seeding component comprising an element selected from the group consisting of boron, the rare earths, Group IA, Group IB, Group VB, Group VIB, Group VIIB and Group VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements at temperatures sufficiently high to induce the reaction between carbon and silica to form silicon carbide. The resultant silicon carbide product will contain a relatively high concentration of silicon carbide whiskers.

Abstract: Silicon carbide is produced by a method which includes dispersing silica in a residual oil, carbonizing the oil at elevated temperatures, and heating the carbonized dispersion to form silicon carbide. Preferably, the silica is an amorphous type. Preferred residual oils are produced by distilling away crude petroleum components at temperatures up to about 350.degree. C. The silicon carbide product typically contains a mixture of powder and whisker configurations, and has many particles with a dimension less than about 1 micrometer.

Abstract: Silicon carbide is produced by a method which includes dipsersing silica in a residual oil, carbonizing the oil at elevated temperatures, and heating the carbonized dispersion to form silicon carbide. Preferably, the silica is an amorphous type. Preferred residual oils are produced by distilling away crude petroleum components at temperatures up to about 350.degree. C. The silicon carbide product typically contains a mixture of powder and whisker configurations, and has many particles with a dimension less than about 1 micrometer.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids are recovered from oil shale and other solids containing organic material by heating the solids to a temperature below about 900.degree. F., preferably between about 550.degree. F. and about 900.degree. F., in the absence of an added liquid organic solvent and then contacting the heated solids with a liquid organic solvent in such a manner that the solids and solvent do not form a slurry and under conditions such that hydrocarbons are extracted from the heated solids into the organic solvent. The extracted hydrocarbons are then recovered from the solvent by fractionation. Normally, the solids will be heated by contacting them with a hot, monoxidizing gas, preferably an oxygen-free flue gas generated within the process.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids are recovered from oil shale and other solids containing organic material by heating the solids to a temperature below about 900.degree. F., preferably between about 550.degree. F. and about 900.degree. F., in the absence of an added liquid organic solvent and then contacting the heated solids with a liquid organic solvent in such a manner that the solids and solvent do not form a slurry and under conditions such that hydrocarbons are extracted from the heated solids into the organic solvent. The extracted hydrocarbons are then recovered from the solvent by fractionation. Normally, the solids will be heated by contacting them with a hot, nonoxidizing gas, preferably an oxygen-free flue gas generated within the process.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids are recovered from oil shale and other solids containing organic matter by passing a liquid organic solvent downwardly through an extraction zone in contact with said solids at an elevated pressure sufficient to maintain said solvent in the liquid phase and at a temperature below about 900.degree. F., preferably between about 650.degree. F. and about 900.degree. F., in order to extract hydrocarbons from the solids into the solvent. The extracted hydrocarbons are then recovered from the solvent by fractionation. Normally, heat is supplied to the extraction zone by passing a hot, nonoxidizing gas, preferably an oxygen-free gas generated within the process, downwardly through the extraction zone in cocurrent flow with the liquid organic solvent.