Abstract: An improved two-step fluid bed process for conditioning sized, agglomerative, high volatile bituminous coal is disclosed. The agglomerative bituminous coal is first crushed and sized for fluidization. A first treatment is conducted under oxidizing conditions at below the fusion temperature of the coal, preferably at about 600.degree. F., followed immediately by a second treatment under a non-oxidizing or inert atmosphere at preferably 800.degree. F. .+-.50.degree. F. The resulting oxidized and heat treated coal particles have a volatile content of at least 15% and are thereby rendered non-agglomerative when thereafter subjected to even higher temperatures, e.g., when making activated carbon and/or synthesis gas.

Abstract: A method of preconditioning agglomerating coal particles to substantially prevent agglomeration of a fluid-bed reaction zone in a reactor comprising preheating thd coal particles in dense phase flow, rapidly oxidizing the particles in a vertical standpipe having a regulated thermal environment, pressurizing the particles to a pressure above reactor pressure and introducing the preconditioned coal particles into the fluid-bed reactor zone at substantially reaction pressure for reaction at an elevated temperature and at reaction pressure in the presence of a reagent.

Abstract: Solid waste, including municipal, agricultural, industrial, vegetable and animal matter, garbage and waste paper, is progressively converted by means of partial oxidation and distillation into gas under controlled temperature and pressure conditions and the gas is made suitable for industrial and chemical uses by being purified and separated into its main components or ingredients.

Abstract: Carbonization of coal in travelling grate furnace with hot gas inlets below the grate. A refractory screen is provided above the grate to provide a flame propagation base for the volatile gases withdrawn from the coal on the grate. The combustion zone above the refractory screen provides radiant heat to vaporize volatiles present in the coal on the grate.The coal to be treated may be in the form of briquettes or an extruded slab. When an extruded slab of slurried coal is used the thermal shock on first entering the carbonization chamber results in the formation of carbon granules.

Abstract: Solid waste material is disposed of and a portion thereof converted into valuable refractory material within a reactor having a substantially vertical pyrolysis chamber, a refuse charging inlet and a combustible gas outlet in the upper region thereof and a molten refractory material outlet in the lower region thereof. Gas-feed means charges an oxygen-rich gas into the chamber under pressure at a plurality of vertically spaced points along the length thereof so as to produce combustion of the waste organic components and generate heat. The charge is controlled to maintain a plurality of different temperature zones along the length of the chamber so as to effect incomplete combustion of the waste organic component and form a combustible gas and an organic-free molten refractory material.

Abstract: A solid, low-sulfur, industrial fuel having a fuel value similar to bituminous coal, and a continuous process for producing the fuel from woody materials are presented. The process includes the step of initially predrying the materials if they are moist until the water content thereof is less than about 15%. The woody materials are then subjected to a limited carbonization. The materials are heated in a furnace or kiln until noticeable carbonization begins, and carbonization is permitted to continue until the fiberous structure of the materials disappears to thereby maximize production of solid fuel having a high content of volatile combustible matter. Subsequently, the solid fuel is cooled and conditioned against spontaneous combustion. The solid fuel may then be pulverized or compacted, and immediately used, stored, or transported. The process of this invention optionally may also produce a small quantity of gas having a fuel valve sufficiently high for use as burner fuel in the predryer.

Abstract: Coke is desulfurized by calcining coke at a temperature of 1600.degree. - 2200.degree. F. in admixture with sodium carbonate, followed by direct contact with phosgene or a mixture of carbon monoxide and chlorine at a temperature of 1200.degree. - 1800.degree. F. to produce coke having sulfur contents of less than 0.5 percent.