Abstract: A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting carbonaceous raw materials into a carbonized product and activating the product, includes a device for heating the carbonaceous raw materials to form a carbonized product, and equipment for activating the carbonized product and supplying by-product of the activation to the device to help in the heating. The device heats a column of carbonaceous raw materials to pyrolize it and form a carbonized product and vapors and gases. Upward flow of the gases and vapors is restrained so that they flow, with the carbonized product, out of the bottom of the column where they are burned in a combustion box and the resultant hot gases used to heat the column through a tube defining the column. Descending carbonized materials pass rapidly through the combustion box into the equipment which through electical resistance heating and steam, activates the carbonized materials and passes gas and vapor by-products thereby created up into the combustion box to help fuel the heating of the raw materials.

Abstract: A loading mechanism places waste material into a porous rotatable cylinder that is mounted for relative rotation within an air-tight housing. Once loaded, the housing is sealed and oxygen is evacuated. A microwave heating device heats the waste material within the cylinder and breaks the waste material down into solid and fluid products. A drive motor simultaneously rotates the cylinder at high speed, creating centrifugal force on the waste material. The fluid products escape outwardly from the porous cylinder and are transferred to a heat exchanger chamber where they are cooled. A fractional distillation system stratifies the fluid products according to weight for purposes of recovery.

Abstract: A method of producing active carbon by microwave-induced pyrolysis of a carbonaceous material in an atmosphere wherein flame generation is prevented. The resulting product is treated with an acid to wash out sulphur or metal values and then activated with superheated steam and/or carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The organic material (such as waste tire compound) is pyrolysed by pre-heating the organic material (without pyrolysis) in a preheat zone 9 by a hot gas stream; feeding pre-heated material directly to a microwave discharge zone 10 by means of conveyor 8; pyrolysing the pre-heated material in the microwave discharge zone to produce solid fission products containing elemental carbon and gaseous by-products; and recycling at least some of the latter to the hot gas stream which is supplied to the pre-heating zone.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing an active carbon using a carbon-containing material inclusive of an used active carbon as a raw material wherein the carbon-containing raw material is carbonized in a carbonizing unit to produce a carbonized material having electric conductivity and the carbonized material is then activated in an activating treatment unit installed downstream of the carbonizing unit in an atmosphere of steam with a power of electricity induced by electric discharge as well as a function of self-heating of the carbonized material with its own electric resistance are disclosed. The carbonizing unit is constructed in the form of a thermal radiation type batch furnace including an outer wall and a vessel mounted on a firing lattice in the outer wall while a heating chamber is formed therebetween.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for the activation of carbon from carbon feedstocks by electrical resistance heating in the presence of steam, which comprises preheating particles of the carbon feedstock in a preheater, having the particles descend by gravity into and through a vertical reactor connected to the preheater, introducing steam at the bottom of the reactor so that it moves upward against the downward flow of the particles, passing an electric current through the particles in the reactor, and discharging the activated carbon from the bottom of the reactor, the improvements that comprise feeding the carbon feedstock through the side of the preheater, controlling the electric input, having the reactor project into the preheater, using a knife-gate valve and a discharge-limiting device to control the discharge of the activated carbon, using a carbon feedstock that contains up to about 25% of organic volatiles, maintaining the preheating temperature within a range from about 550.degree. C. to about 750.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for the activation of carbon from carbon feedstocks by electrical resistance heating in the presence of steam, which comprises preheating particles of the carbon feedstock in a preheater, having the particles descend by gravity into and through a vertical reactor connected to the preheater, introducing steam at the bottom of the reactor so that it moves upward against the downward flow of the particles, passing an electric current through the particles in the reactor, and discharging the activated carbon from the bottom of the reactor, the improvements that comprise feeding the carbon feedstock through the side of the preheater, controlling the electric input, having the reactor project into the preheater, using a knife-gate valve and a discharge-limiting device to control the discharge of the activated carbon, using a carbon feedstock that contains up to about 25% of organic volatiles, maintaining the preheating temperature within a range from about 550.degree. C. to about 750.

Abstract: The macromolecular waste (which is not itself susceptible to microwave heating and may be, for example, plastics or polychlorinated biphenyl) is mixed (B) with pulverulent carbonaceous material, which comprises elemental carbon or is degradable by microwave irradiation to elemental carbon (such as waste tire material). The mix is subjected to microwave irradiation (C) in an inert atmosphere to cause pyrolysis of the plastics. Preferably part of the resulting solids is recycled to the microwave zone (C).

Abstract: The organic material (such as waste tire compound) is pyrolyzed by pre-heating the organic material (without pyrolysis) in a preheat zone 9 by a hot gas stream; feeding pre-heated material directly to a microwave discharge zone 10 by means of conveyor 8; pyrolyzing the pre-heated material in the microwave discharge zone to produce solid fission products containing elemental carbon and gaseous by-products; and recycling at least some of the latter to the hot gas stream which is supplied to the pre-heating zone.

Abstract: A process for the desulphurization of residuals of petroleum distillation in the form of coke particles having an initial sulphur content greater than about 5% by weight. Desulphurization is effected by means of a continuous electrothermal process based on a plurality of sequentially connected fluidized beds into which the coke particles are successively introduced. The necessary heat generation to desulphurize the coke particles is obtained by using the coke particles as an electrical resistance in each fluidized bed by providing a pair of electrodes that extend into the fluidized coke particles and passing an electrical current through the electrodes and through the fluidized coke particles. A last fluidized bed without electrodes is provided for cooling the desulphurized coke particles after the sulphur level has been reduced to less than about 1% by weight.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing coke in a vertical furnace having an upper part for preheating and devolitalizing raw ovoids of coal, an electrically heated median part for carbonizing and coking the ovoids and a lower part for partially cooling the coked ovoids by counter current flow of recycled product gases recovered from the upper part of the furnace. A cooling chamber is connected to the lower part of the furnace for further cooling the coked ovoids by countercurrent flow of a portion of the recycled product gases which are withdrawn after flowing through the partially cooled coked ovoids and introduced into the upper part of the furnace to prevent condensation of condensibles contained in the product gases. The median part of the furnace may be electrically heated by electrodes, induction coils or a combination of electrodes and induction coils.

Abstract: Organic material is compacted to a density greater than 280 kg/m.sub.3 in a press, is preheated to a temperature of 44.degree.-46.degree. C., is then subjected in an irradiation device to 1-20 electromagnetic wave pulses having a duration of almost 5 s and a frequency between 800 and 2000 MHz and is subsequently subjected to a fermentation causing its heating, until its temperature has risen to 85.degree.-90.degree. C., and is subjected to pyrolysis in a pyrolysis oven. During irradiation, fermentation and pyrolysis no air is supplied to the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for inducing and accelerating hydrogen dissociation in a cloud generated from feedstock fed into a chamber defined by the apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a device for thermally stimulating the feedstock to generate the cloud, a device for localizing the cloud within the chamber, a device for electrically stimulating the localized cloud, and a device for photonically stimulating the localized cloud. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting hydrocarbons from tar sands. Stationary heater plates have a central opening therethrough through which a horizontal axle extends. Rotors having a central hub and a number of arms are splined on the axle, one closely sandwiched between every two heater plates. A ring is provided between the heater plates closely outward of the rotor arms. Sand retaining pockets are defined between adjacent arms of each rotor, the rotor hub, the ring and adjacent heater plates. Sand is retained in the sand retaining pockets for about one revolution about the axis between feed and removal positions. While retained in the pockets, the sand is heated and hydrocarbons driven off are collected.

Abstract: A method of calcining carbonaceous bodies, in particular electrodes such as those employed in the production of aluminum or steel, in either continuous or intermittent furnaces with the use of containment structures whereinto carbonaceous bodies to be calcined are placed and then covered at least laterally with a carbonaceous powder, is characterized in that the structure walls are caused to collapse from the sides outwards on the occurrence of the expansion whereto the carbonaceous bodies are subjected during calcination.The containment structure which affords implementation of the method comprises a base frame, refractory supports placed on said frame and carrying refractory plates forming the loading platform, and a sideway complying edge formation on expansion of the carbonaceous bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically heating conductive bulk materials by resistance Joule effect heating includes end and side walls defining an oven chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of pairs of generally planar electrode plates are angularly mounted with respect to the opposed end walls of the chamber and are electrically disconnected from one another. The electrode plates mounted to each end wall are disposed at the same angle and are arranged such that the upper edge of each electrode plate is at a different distance from the end wall than the lower edge of the plate, so that the planes of the plurality of electrode plates mounted to each end wall are substantially parallel and vertically displaced from each other. The electrical supply for each pair of electrodes plates is electrically isolated from that of each other pair. The amount of energy supplied to each pair of electrode plates is adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing bulk materials by induction wherein the materials are processed within a plurality of compartments whose walls comprise a material which is adaptable to being heated by induction and wherein the plurality of compartments commonly share an induction coil means which surrounds the plurality of compartments. The apparatus possesses features which make it adaptable to operate in a closed system to be acceptable to the environment and also features which guarantee uniform charging of the material to be processed and uniform discharging of the processed material. In applications where sulfur, tars and oils are a problem, means are provided to deal with such problems by reacting the sulfur and by cracking the tars and oils. The apparatus lends itself to economically process tonnages of great magnitude at a low operating cost and also it requires low investment cost.

Abstract: Materials which become carbonized at high temperatures, such as wood, cellulose, household refuse, used tires, plastics, tar sand, oil shale, and the like, are subjected to thermal treatment, i.e., pyrolysis or gasification, in an electric shaft furnace having top and bottom electrodes. The material is charged into the furnace at the top and continuously moved downward through the furnace so slowly that as a result of heat transfer from the hotter parts of the furnace, it is carbonized to an extent which renders it electrically conductive by the time it comes in contact with those parts of the electrodes by means of which electric current is conducted through the material. The material charged at the top of the furnace can be caused to move downward by withdrawing suitable amounts of solid material from the bottom of the furnace, for example, or by gasifying the material with steam.

Abstract: An improved method for generating gas from coal including caking and high sulfur coals, in a completely enclosed system wherein no oxygen or air is used to burn a portion of the coal and/or char to produce heat for the reaction. The heat for the reaction of the instant invention is produced by electric induction coils surrounding a vertical retort which possesses a plurality of compartments or cells whose walls are heated by induction. Energy requirement is reduced by pressurizing and methanating within the compartments in order to benefit from exothermic reaction of the methane formation. The coal charged is heated by said walls so that the coal is converted from coal to coke or char by driving the volatiles from the coal in a controlled and efficient manner. The char is further kept hot by the same heated walls of said compartments and also by direct induction to make possible the generation of gas, mainly CO and H.sub.2 by reacting steam with said hot char.

Abstract: Enhancement of thermal decomposition of solid matter by applying a high voltage but low power electrical field across said solid matter simultaneously with heating of the solid matter.

Abstract: Compacted carbonaceous shapes are produced by mixing a particulate carbonaceous material with a binder, forming green shapes from the mixture, and heating the green shapes by induction heating or microwave heating or a combination thereof. The process is particularly adapted for making formcoke.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for making coke wherein the coal is heated by the walls of a multi-cell chamber means and wherein said walls are heated by electric induction in the absence of air; the raw gases from the coal are directed to a by-product plant. The coal is introduced into said chamber means and the coke is discharged from said chamber means in such a way as to provide positive displacement of both the coal and the coke to overcome the sticking and bridging properties of the coal and the coke within said chamber means. Also improved provisions are included for insuring the sealing of said chamber means while operating said chamber means under a positive pressure in order to increase the efficiency of the conversion of coal to coke without causing pollution. The coal, after being coked, is quenched to a temperature below its ignition point before being exposed to the atmosphere to prevent it from burning in order not to cause pollution nor lose yield.

Abstract: Direct electric current is passed through drilling mud contained in an earthen mud pit to dry the mud, thereby providing a safe and environmentally acceptable means for disposal of the mud.

Abstract: In a process for purifying aluminum chloride made by the high temperature chlorination of an aluminum value containing material by distilling the aluminum chloride in a still, and separating the aluminum chloride the improvement comprising adding sufficient alkali chloride to the aluminum chloride as to provide an aluminum chloride/alkali chloride mixture having a conductivity sufficient to permit internal electrical resistance heating of the still when an electric current is applied across the still mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering and simultaneously partially refining hydrocarbon products such as liquid oil, oil vapor and combustible and noncombustible gases from oil shale, by subjecting the oil shale ore, in fragments between 5 and 10 cm, or larger, to microwave energy at frequencies between 300 MHz and 3000 MHz. The apparatus includes kiln structures closed to air and microwave leakage, and associated microwave generators for both continuous discrete and batch processes. The microwave energy may also be applied in situ to beds and deposits of the oil shale.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing bitumen components of an earth aggregate by establishing a current flow within an electrolyte contained in a volume of the aggregate which has been isolated from the surrounding earth. The current flow electrochemically acts on the molecular bonds between the bitumen and the aggregate, thus releasing the bitumen. In addition, gases are released and absorbed by the bitumen which, along with the heat produced by passage of the current through the electrolyte, acts to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen. As the viscosity is reduced to the stage where the bitumen is liquid, gravitational action allows the bitumen to separate from the aggregate into a stratum which permits easy removal thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric furnace for heating by passing a current through the charge, and more particularly, a continuous furnace in which the charge is a carbonaceous material.The furnace according to the invention is provided with a device for allowing non-reactive gas to be circulated in the opposite direction to the charge.The furnace according to the invention is used, in particular, for calcining anthracite.

Abstract: Coal, either as coal fines or as coal briquettes, is introduced into a coking chamber and is thereat exposed to microwave radiation to transform the coal into hot coke. Preferably, the microwave radiation is at a frequency of from twenty to 3000 MHz. The hot coke is then passed to a cooling zone whereat photocells absorb radiant energy from the hot coke and transform the thus absorbed radiant energy into electricity.

Abstract: The coking chamber of a by-product coke oven is formed by a refractory enclosure provided in its top with a charging opening and with an outlet for volatile by-products produced in the coking operation. Forming the bottom of the chamber near the bottom wall of the enclosure, but spaced above it, is a high-temperature resistant metal sole plate, beneath which are electric resistance elements for heating the plate directly in order to coke coal supported by the plate. Opposite sides of the lower part of the chamber may also be formed by electrically heated plates.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gasification of carbonaceous matter by plasma arc pyrolysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a refractory-lined furnace is provided with a depression along its base for holding a pool of molten metal which acts as the external electrode for a bank of long arc column plasma torches which provide a heat mass for the process. The plasma arc pressure imparts momentum to the surface of the melt and causes it to flow in cusping eddy currents during the process. Crushed coal is deposited through the roof of the furnace by a rotary feeder in continuous plural streams. The coal is devolatilized in a matter of milli seconds and the volatiles are cracked as the coal falls by gravity through the interior of the furnace. The remaining carbon-rich char collects at plural sites on the surface of the melt and the mounds of char are rotated by the eddy currents. Steam is continuously injected into the furnace to produce hydrocarbon gases through reaction with the carbon-rich char.

Abstract: A process for converting the kerogen of oil shale to oil products is provided, which includes subjecting a mixture of oil shale and hydrogen to the influence of wave energy in the microwave range.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating oil shale by microwave energy for recovering heated volatile fractions thereof. The microwave oven includes a sloping feeder made of glass, pyrex, or ceramic material, which feeder is reciprocated back and forth along a declining plane so as to advance slowly but progressively oil shale deposited on the top end thereof to the discharge end of the vibrator. Means are provided to evacuate volatile fractions and to feed such gases through preheater tubes to a condenser unit. The preheater tubes are disposed in line with and through the flow of incoming materials so as to tend to regulate material descent as well as preheat the shale. An additional solids heat exchanger is employed underneath the discharge end of the vibratory feeder means so as to slow the descent of the spent shale onto its ultimate conveyor as well as taking heat therefrom and from the magnetron tubes of the oven to conduct such heat upwardly to further increase the preheating effect upon incoming shale.