Abstract: A bed (76, 202) of oil shale particles (10) are pyrolyzed in a retort (70, 200) by means of a heated carrier gas stream passing through a central conduit (54, 202) within the bed (76, 202) and then upwardly through a fixed bed (76) or fluidized bed (202) of the shale. The shale is subjected to pyrolysis and evolves kerogen liquid, thermally and pyrolyzed liquids and gases which enter the carrier gas to form a pyrolysis gas. The liquid pyrolysis oil is separated from the pyrolysis gas ion separator (94, 224) and a portion of the separated gas is recycled to a solar heat exchanger (50, 204) and heated to a temperature of at least 350.degree. C. before being fed to the central conduit (54, 202).

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of coal and subsequent treatment of hydrogenated coal to produce useful fuels and chemicals which comprises comminuting coal ore to a particle size range of from about 150 mesh to about 250 mesh; hydrogenating the particulate coal in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and a source of hydrogen at a temperature of from about 100.degree. to about 300.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 500 to about 1,000 psi for a time sufficient to react hydrogen with the coal to form predominantly hydroaromatic coal; and recovering the hydrogenated coal. The hydrogenated coal is subsequently hydrocracked or pyrolyzed. The hydrogenated coal is hydrocracked at from about 500.degree. to about 700.degree. C. a pressure of from about 500 to about 2,000 psi for a time sufficient to crack the coal to produce benzene, toluene, xylene and gasoline. The hydrogenated coal is pyrolyzed at from about 400.degree. to about 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A solar-powered fluidized bed gasification system for gasifying carbonaceous material. The system includes a solar gasifier (10) which is heated by fluidizing gas and steam. Energy to heat the gas and steam is supplied by a high heat capacity refractory honeycomb (16) which surrounds the fluid bed reactor zone (14). The high heat capacity refractory honeycomb (16) is heated by solar energy focused on the honeycomb (16) by solar concentrator (32) through solar window (20). The fluid bed reaction zone (14) is also heated directly and uniformly by thermal contact of the high heat capacity ceramic honeycomb (16) with the walls of the fluidized bed reactor (12).Provisions are also made for recovering and recycling catalysts used in the gasification process. Back-up furnace (50) is provided for start-up procedures and for supplying heat to the fluid bed reaction zone (14) when adequate supplies of solar energy are not available.