Abstract: A process for producing methanol from air-blown gasified coal. A feed gas stream obtained by the coal gasification step is combined with a recycle gas stream and fed to a reactor where carbon oxides are converted to methanol. Exit gas from the reactor is scrubbed to remove carbon monoxide, and the carbon monoxide-free exit gas is then chilled to remove all components except hydrogen. The hydrogen is then combined with the carbon monoxide and used as a recycle stream. The process enables use of an air-blown gasified coal stream while maintaining the nitrogen content in the reactor at an acceptably low level.

Abstract: Methanol is produced from offshore natural gas in a plant positioned on a floating structure. The plant incorporates heat recovery equipment and storage facilities providing the flexibility to operate portions of the plant independently so that motion-sensitive parts of the plant, such as tall distillation columns for methanol purification, can be operated only during good weather, while sections of the plant less sensitive to motion can operate during more severe weather.

Abstract: Predominantly aliphatic lower hydrocarbon materials may be obtained from carbonaceous solids by a sequence of steps comprising gasifying the carbonaceous solids, combining the gasification product stream with first and second internal recycle streams, separating certain impurities from the combined stream followed by cooling to liquefy and separate the hydrocarbon materials, directly reacting the remaining carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first internal recycle stream, fractionating the separated hydrocarbon materials to separate and recover the predominantly aliphatic lower hydrocarbon materials from the higher hydrocarbon materials, subjecting the higher hydrocarbon materials to steam cracking to produce a second internal recycle stream, and recycling the internal recycle streams for combination with the gasification product stream as noted above.

Abstract: In combination, a composite construction comprising a load-bearing substrate, an impermeable liner, and disposed therebetween a circulatory system defined by a network of cells having side walls which are generally in lateral orientation to the liner and the load-bearing substrate, at least some of said side walls having apertures therein whereby at least some adjacent cells are in communication with each other, and means for circulating a fluid through said circulatory system.

Abstract: Predominantly aliphatic hydrocarbon materials may be obtained from carbonaceous solids by a sequence of steps comprising gasifying the carbonaceous solids, combining the gasification product stream with an internal recycle stream, separating certain impurities from the combined stream followed by cooling to liquefy and separate the hydrocarbon materials while directly reacting the remaining carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce the internal recycle stream.