Abstract: A method of reducing sulfur emissions in boilers fired with brown coal (as an example of low-rank solid fossil fuels with which the invention is usable) wherein finely divided calcium oxide (or calcium-oxide-containing dry materials) as additive is mixed with the fuel before the fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber of the boiler or the burner thereof. Advantageously the additive is mixed with the fuel before the milling thereof. The quantity of finely divided additive which is mixed with the fuel is varied in accordance with the sulfur concentration of the gases at the end of the combustion chamber, e.g. in response to a sulfur dioxide and/or sulfur trioxide sensor, to minimize the sulfur content of the flue gases.

Abstract: A system of operating an engine on a recyclable, relatively non-polluting fuel. The fuel may include any one or more of the following: magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), magnesium plus aluminum, magnesium-aluminum alloy, magnesium hydride (MgH.sub.2) aluminum hydride (AlH.sub.3) and magnesium aluminum hydride (Mg(AlH.sub.4).sub.2). The fuel when burned produces oxides and hydroxides of magnesium and/or aluminum. The oxides and hydroxides can be reduced to magnesium and/or aluminum and/or their hydrides and reformed for reuse in the engine. The system is intended for use not only in automotive engines but also stationary power plants including refrigeration.

Abstract: A device for increasing efficiency of natural gas fuel includes a first housing having a magnet chamber with a plurality of vertically arranged sets of magnets. The natural gas is fed thereto from an inlet chamber through a distributor plate having an array of holes. After the magnetic treatment, the natural gas is fed to a second similar housing before being burned as fuel.

Abstract: A coal pump is provided in which solid coal is heated in the barrel of an extruder under pressure to a temperature at which the coal assumes plastic properties. The coal is continuously extruded, without static zones, using, for example, screw extrusion preferably without venting through a reduced diameter die to form a dispersed spray. As a result, the dispersed coal may be continuously injected into vessels or combustors at any pressure up to the maximum pressure developed in the extrusion device. The coal may be premixed with other materials such as desulfurization aids or reducible metal ores so that reactions occur, during or after conversion to its plastic state. Alternatively, the coal may be processed and caused to react after extrusion, through the die, with, for example, liquid oxidizers, whereby a coal reactor is provided. Alternative utilization of the device may be to secure continuous pyrolysis of the coal or to feed the extruded coal into furnaces operating at pressures near ambient.

Abstract: A device for increasing efficiency of fuel includes a first chamber having a plurality of vertically arranged sets of magnets with a distributor feeding the liquid fuel therein; a second chamber downstream from the first chamber acts upon the fuel after it has undergone treatment by the magnets; and a third chamber having vertically arranged sets of magnets further treats the fuel before it is fed to a burner.

Abstract: Lime utilization for sulfurous oxides adsorption in fluidized combustion of carbonaceous fuels is improved by impregnation of porous lime particulates with iron oxide. The impregnation is achieved by spraying an aqueous solution of mixed iron sulfate and sulfite on the limestone before transfer to the fluidized bed combustor, whereby the iron compounds react with the limestone substrate to form iron oxide at the limestone surface. The iron oxide present in the spent limestone is found to catalyze the regeneration rate of the spent limestone in a reducing environment. Thus both the calcium and iron components may be recycled.

Abstract: A system of operating an engine on a recyclable, relatively non-polluting fuel. The fuel is preferably a magnesium-aluminum alloy which when burned produces oxides of magnesium and aluminum. The oxides can be reduced to magnesium and aluminum and alloyed for reuse in the engine. The system is intended for use not only in automotive engines but also stationary power plants including refrigeration.

Abstract: A structure is provided for supporting and retaining bed of particulate material, such as a catalyst, in a reactor or the like, so that the material is prevented from falling through the structure when the material is in either a fluidized or agitated condition due to an upward flow of gas through the structure and material or when the material is quiescent. The support and retaining structure also provides a uniformly distributed gas flow through the material supported thereon and includes a first set of elongated, channel-shaped retaining members arranged in parallel, laterally spaced relation with the flanges of the channels extending upwardly and with elongated gaps between the flanges. A second set of elongated, inverted channel-shaped retaining members are also arranged in parallel, laterally spaced relation with their flanges extending downwardly and with elongated gaps between the flanges.