Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbon diluent present in froth treatment tailings, comprising introducing the tailings into a vessel; adding a first portion of steam into the vessel to form a vapour-tailings interface; and operating the vessel to increase the exposure of the tailings to the vapour-tailings interface formed in the vessel.

Abstract: A coupling reaction apparatus for heavy oil cracking-gasification, including a cracking section and a gasification section communicated with each other, and the cracking section is located above the gasification section; the cracking section is provided with a heavy oil raw material inlet and a fluidizing gas inlet, and an upper part of the cracking section is provided with an oil-gas outlet; and the gasification section is provided with a gasification agent inlet.

Abstract: A thermolysis device for supplying heat energy at a temperature of between 80° C. and 700° C. and capable of adjusting the temperature inside a chamber including a raw material supply inlet, a thermolysis gas outlet, and an outlet for the solid or liquid materials from the thermolysis reaction. The chamber encloses at least one plate, separating the chamber into a top portion and a bottom portion, and at least one transfer element. The transfer element and/or the plate is mounted so as to rotate about an axis, the raw material supply inlet is placed above the plate, thus defining a first point for a raw material to drop onto the plate.

Abstract: A method of reducing settling of residual comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material during processing can comprise forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure which defines a substantially encapsulated volume; introducing a composite comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body, said composite hydrocarbonaceous material comprising a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material and a structural material; and heating the permeable body sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom such that the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary during heating, exclusive of subsidence and settling. The structural material can provide structural integrity to the permeable body sufficient to maintain convective flow of fluids throughout the permeable body during heating.

Abstract: A method of recovery of organic solvents required in the refining of coal comprising: mixing solvent, co-solvent and coal to form a slurry; thermally treating the slurry under pressure and high temperature to form a coal-extract; passing the coal-extract through a membrane under high pressure in an ultra filtration unit to achieve recovery of a major part of the solvent; contacting the remaining thick clarified liquid from the membrane with water to obtain precipitated coal in a slurry with a mixture of water and organic solvent; feeding the slurry to a filter to get clean coal of very low ash content as a residue and a mixture of water and organic solvent as a filtrate; distilling the filtrate to separate the balance of the organic solvent from the water. The application of a membrane for filtration minimizes the heat requirement to establish economy.

Abstract: A process for removing ash and heavy hydrocarbon compounds from coal is described. The coal feed, the coal tar stream, or a coal tar fraction is contacted with a solvent to dissolve a soluble portion of the coal tar stream, the ash and heavy hydrocarbons being insoluble in the solvent, the solvent selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, dimethyl formamide, glyme, diglyme, ionic liquids, and combinations thereof, with the proviso that an anion of the ionic liquid is not a dialkylphosphate.

Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of converting coal to a petroleum product. The method includes the steps of mixing the coal and water to form a mixture, and heating the mixture to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The method further includes separating the mixture in a first separator into a liquid stream of a water bearing minerals and a solid stream of coal, and transferring the coal from the first separator to a coking reactor wherein the temperature is raised to approximately 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to drive off lighter fractions of the coal as a gas. The method also includes transferring the gas to a fourth separator to separate water and liquid petroleum product from the gas.

Abstract: A process and system to separate crude from tar sands. A tar sand and crude oil mixture is created using ground tar sands. The tar sand and crude oil mixture is mixed under high pressure in a treatment vessel with either natural gas or exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. The mixture is then moved through a entrainment vessel still under the high pressure. When the mixture is removed from the entrainment vessel excess gas is removed from the mixture. The crude oil is then separated from the sand typically through a cyclone separator. A portion of the crude oil may be used to mix with the ground tar sand on the front end of the process.

Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.

Abstract: A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. The deoiling zone can comprise a membrane that is rapidly displaced in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.

Abstract: A method of reducing residual hydrocarbon accumulation during processing can comprise forming a permeable body (608) of a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within an enclosure (602). A primary liquid collection system (610) is located in a lower portion of the permeable body. The primary liquid collection system (610) has an upper surface for collecting and removing liquids. Comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material below the primary liquid collection system (610) forms a non-production zone (616). At least a portion of the permeable body (608) is heated to a bulk temperature above a production temperature sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom within a production zone (614), where conditions in the non-production zone (616) are maintained below the production temperature.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one analogue ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the analogue ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system.

Abstract: A method (100) of recovering tar from the gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock includes gasifying (12) a carbonaceous feedstock (14) to produce a raw gas (20) which includes at least CO, H2, tar and entrained solids, the raw gas (20) being at a temperature of at least 250° C. and a pressure of at least 15 bar (g). The raw gas (20) is quenched and washed (22) with a quench liquid (24) producing a solids-containing liquid stream (32) which includes tars, the solids-containing liquid stream being at a temperature of at least 150° C. and a pressure of at least 15 bar (g). Solids (56) are separated (46) from the solids-containing liquid stream (32) to provide a tar recovery stream (102). The tar recovery stream (102) is treated by at least cooling (34) and pressure expansion (36) thereof to produce a tar stream (58).

Abstract: A method for treating an organic waste, in which the organic waste is pressurized and continuously supplied to a high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus to produce a slurried material by blowing steam into the organic waste to cause a reaction while heating, pressurizing and agitating. The slurried material is dehydrated to produce a separated liquid product and a separated solid product. The separated solid product includes sufficient combustible content to produce a fuel product. The separated liquid product is purified.

Abstract: A method of separating a mixture of liquid and insoluble solids in a filter press may comprise: pumping the mixture into a chamber between two filter plates in the filter press to form a filter cake, wherein the chamber is lined by filter cloths, and wherein, during the pumping, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber; heating the filter cake in the chamber, wherein, during the heating, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber, and wherein the heating is by radio frequency irradiation of the filter cake in the chamber; and releasing dried filter cake from the chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon products from waste tailings of a froth flotation unit and a paraffinic froth treatment process are provided. Bitumen and asphaltenes from the waste tailings are extracted using a serial addition of an aromatic solvent, followed by a polar-non-polar solvent. The method and system divert valuable hydrocarbons from tailings ponds. The hydrocarbon product can be used as a coating material or an emulsion fuel, for example.

Abstract: Methods for preparing solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The method can include the steps of adding a first quantity of solvent to a bitumen material to form a first mixture, separating a first quantity of bitumen-enriched solvent from the first mixture and thereby creating solvent-wet tailings, and adding a quantity of water to the solvent-wet tailings to separate a solvent component from the solvent-wet tailings and thereby forming solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The solvent used in the methods can include paraffinic solvent, such as pentane.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system for recovering energy, materials or both from asphaltene-containing tailings are disclosed. The asphaltene-containing tailings can be generated, for example, from a process for recovering hydrocarbons from oil sand. Embodiments of the method can include a flotation separation and a hydrophobic agglomeration separation. Flotation can be used to separate the asphaltene-containing tailings into an asphaltene-rich froth and an asphaltene-depleted aqueous phase. The asphaltene-rich froth, or an asphaltene-rich slurry formed from the asphaltene-rich froth, then can be separated into a heavy mineral concentrate and a light tailings. Hydrophobic agglomeration can be used to recover an asphaltene concentrate from the light tailings. Another flotation separation can be included to remove sulfur-containing minerals from the heavy mineral concentrate. Oxygen-containing minerals also can be recovered from the heavy mineral concentrate.

Abstract: A process for the extraction and recovery of bitumen from oil sands and a process for the treatment of tailings are disclosed. Bitumen is recovered in a process comprising contacting a polysilicate microgel with an ore sand oil to produce a froth comprising bitumen and a tailings stream comprising water, sand and clay fines. Preferably the tailings stream is dewatered and recovered water may be recycled to the extraction process. Polysilicate microgel may be carried through to a dewatering step and enhances flocculation in dewatering said tailings.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from oil sands having a transition temperature at which the oil sands solidify includes forming formable oil sands into pellets and cooling at least a surface of the pellets sufficiently to prevent the pellets from aggregating; cooling the pellets to below the transition temperature; fracturing the pellets to release the bitumen from the oil sands while maintaining the temperature of the pellets below the transition temperature; and separating the bitumen from the oil sands in a separator.

Abstract: A process and process line is provided for recovering heat in the form of cleaned warm water and residual bitumen from oil sand tailings produced during an oil sands extraction process. The process includes removing at least a portion of the coarse solids from the oil sand tailings to produce a reduced solids tailings fraction; separating at least a portion of the bitumen from the reduced solids tailings fraction to produce a bitumen fraction and a warm water and fines fraction; and removing at least a portion of the fines from the warm water and fines fraction to produce cleaned warm water and a concentrated fines fraction. The cleaned warm water can then be reused in the oil sands extraction process.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of steam directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: In treatment equipment of organic waste provided with a high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus to produce a slurried material by conducting the high temperature and high pressure treatment of the organic waste, a dehydration treatment apparatus to recover the dehydrated solid matter by conducting the dehydration treatment of the slurried material and a water treatment apparatus to conduct the purification treatment of a separated liquid separated by the dehydration treatment apparatus, the treatment equipment of organic waste is characterized by having a crusher to crush said organic waste before conducting the high pressure and temperature treatment and providing to said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus a steam blowing means to blow steam into the organic waste in said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus, wherein said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus is formed as a continuous reaction tank to which the organic waste is continuously supplied and to wh

Abstract: There is provided a portable oil isolation and decontamination system comprising a plurality of high heat energy generators that supply high heat energy to an oil isolation and decontamination unit. Each heat energy generator comprises a chamber for gasifying used rubber tires, waste oil, coal or other combustible materials for the production of volatile gases and high energy heat. The oil extractor unit comprises a pair of parallel, elongate rotating cylinders that each rotate within a common closed housing. Oil-rich material such as oilsands, oilshale, contaminated soil or used oil is introduced into one end of each rotating cylinder and is caused to migrate to the opposite end in cascading fashion as the cylinder rotates. High energy heat from the generators is directed at the rotating cylinders to indirectly heat the oil-rich material therein to vaporize the hydrocarbons as the rotating drum migrates the oil-rich material towards its collection end.

Abstract: There is provided a process for removing oil from particulate matter comprising mixing an aqueous slurry of the particulate matter with at least one stream of water applied at a pressure of from 0.5 to 100 Mpa, wherein the one or more high pressure water streams expand adiabatically when mixed with the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A process line for separating oil sand slurry comprising coarse solids, fines, bitumen and water, into a first product comprising bitumen, fines and water and a second product comprising coarse solids, fines and water is provided comprising a plurality of countercurrently operating solid/liquid separators arranged in series along a pipeline, wherein the underflow of one separator is fed to the next separator in series and the overflow of each separator is fed to the preceding separator, the underflow of the last separator being the second product and the overflow from the first separator being the first product.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for separating minerals from mineral feedstock—for example bitumen from tar sand. The apparatus includes residence chambers for contacting solvent and tar sand. The solvent-tar sand contact occurs in at least two stages. The drained miscella from the first stage is sent to a flashing module to separate the miscella into recovered solvent, a bitumen stream, and a volatile hydrocarbons stream. Solvent is recycled from the final stage and reused in the residence chambers. An energy recovery module recovers the energy from the volatile hydrocarbons stream. A solvent stripper removes the solvent residue from the drained tar sand to create a cleaned sand stream, and the solvent stripper recycles the solvent vapors to energize and assist the separation process. The apparatus enables a water-free, energy efficient, and nearly complete recovery of bitumen from tar sand.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a residua feedstock using a short vapor contact time thermal process unit comprised of a horizontal moving bed of fluidized hot particles. The residua feedstock is preferably atomized so that the Sauter mean diameter of the residua feedstock entering the reactor is less than about 2500 ?m. One or more horizontally disposed screws is preferably used to fluidize a bed of hot particles.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a stationary permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom within a temperature range which is sufficient to substantially avoid formation of carbon dioxide or non-hydrocarbon leachates. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: A process and process line is provided for recovering heat in the form of cleaned warm water and residual bitumen from oil sand tailings produced during an oil sands extraction process. The process includes removing at least a portion of the coarse solids from the oil sand tailings to produce a reduced solids tailings fraction; separating at least a portion of the bitumen from the reduced solids tailings fraction to produce a bitumen fraction and a warm water and fines fraction; and removing at least a portion of the fines from the warm water and fines fraction to produce cleaned warm water and a concentrated fines fraction. The cleaned warm water can then be reused in the oil sands extraction process.

Abstract: A cooling method of a hydrotreating plant having a desulfurization section (1) including a furnace (12) for heating liquid to be processed, reactors (14, 15) for hydrotreating sulfur to generate hydrogen sulfide, a hydrogen sulfide absorber (19) for absorbing the hydrogen sulfide generated in the reactors (14, 15), and a compressor (21) for compressing and transferring fluid from the hydrogen sulfide absorber (19) toward the reactors (14, 15), the cooling method comprising the steps of gradually depressurizing the hydrotreating plant at the desulfurization section (1) to a pressure level at which reactor material does not embrittle and gas does not leak due to difference of mechanical thermal expansion in the plant after stopping supply of the liquid to be processed, operating the compressor (21) approximately at the maximum rotation number, and completely extinguishing burners (12A, 12B) in the furnace (12) during plant shutdown operation.

Abstract: Drilling waste resulting from drilling processes of oil and gas wells using hydrocarbons based drilling fluids contains not only hydrocarbons but also the separated cuttings, and other organic and inorganic additives. This kind of waste contains a considerable amount of hydrocarbons and is classified as a hazardous waste. The present invention claims a method for remediation of said drilling waste, where the drilling waste is converted to a solid fuel that is environmentally friendly for storage, transportation and incineration. The said solid fuel no longer presents danger to the surrounding area and groundwater and has an economical energy value. Using several treatment stages, the residual emulsifiers in the drilling waste are chemically in an acidic milieu destabilized and the soil is turned accessible to the hydrocarbons. By using a polyelectrolyte in aqueous slurry, the hydrocarbon molecules are coagulated and, under normal conditions, irreversibly homogenously adsorbed on the soil particles.

Abstract: An oil component separating apparatus for an oil containing substance can solve a problem of inflammability and can separate oil component and solid substance simply at low cost. The oil component separating apparatus for a oil containing substance includes a processing vessel having an injection space, into which a supersonic flow of an overheated vapor is injected toward an oil containing substance supplied externally, separating means for separating a evaporated component and solid component obtained by injection in the injection space, and condensing means for collecting the oil component by condensing the evaporated substance.

Abstract: A process for regulating a centrifuge used for solid/liquid separation of sewage sludge commences by measuring the input variables of the operating point ot the centrifuge, the variables including 1) suspended matter content of the centrate; 2) the flow rate of sludge; 3) the flow rate of reagent; and 4) the value of torque of the motor of a conventional centrifuge. Operating zones are established, each of which is two dimensional relative to the input variables. Fuzzy logic rules are established, qualifying the operation of the centrifuge, the rules respectively corresponding to the zones. The rules are implemented in response to the input variable measurements, where actions on the sludge flow rate and reagent flow rate make it possible to bring the operating point into a particular zone of optimal and stable centrifuge operation.

Abstract: A method for producing synthetical oils and storable products of calorific energy, by co-processing waste rubber materials, especially waste tires, and coal optionally in the presence of a material containing Fe as a catalyst, comprising the steps of mixing triturated waste rubber material having a particle size of preferredly 1-5 mm, and coal having particle sizes of 0.2-1 mm, and, when used, the catalyst having a referred particle size of 0.05-0.015 mm, until obtaining a mixture, heating the mixture in a reactor to a temperature between 300.degree. C. and 500.degree. C., during 3-180 minutes, at a pressure between atmospheric pressure and 10 MPa, to enable a processing step basically consisting of a pyrolysis/hydropyrolysis. During the processing step, there is a generation of gases containing approximately 50% CO and CO.sub.2, and approximately another 50% by volume of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, and having a calorific energy between 6000 and 8000 kcal/Nm.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depolymerizing used and waste plastics, comprising a closed reactor and a circulation system the mildly heating of the reactor contents connected to the reactor, as well as to a process for depolymerizing used and waste plastics. To protect the circulation system from erosion by solid particles contained in the reactor contents, the reactor is designed so that the reactor contents drawn off into the circulation system traverse a riser section integrated into the reactor for removing fairly coarse solid particles having correspondingly high settling rate before entry into the take-off line.

Abstract: A method of treating a dilute aqueous suspension of solid particulate material comprising waste material from a process for recovering petroleum from oil sand includes diluting the suspension with at least 75% of its own volume of water thereby to increase the settling rate of the particulate material and allowing the particulate material to settle to form a concentrated solid sediment. The treated suspension may have been obtained from a process in which an alkaline solution is used to treat the oil sand. The water from which the concentrated solid sediment is separated may be returned to the process for recovering petroleum from oil sand. The solid sediment may be transferred to a separation vessel in which it is fractionated into a coarse particle fraction and a fine particle fraction. The fine particle fraction may comprise essentially particles having an equivalent spherical diameter not greater than 3 .mu.m. The concentrated solid material recovered may be calcined to form a pozzolanic material.

Abstract: A process for preparing nitrogen-containing isotropic pitch, comprising the steps of mixing a petroleum heavy oil, a nitrating reagent and water to prepare a homogeneous dispersion, thereby contacting the petroleum heavy oil with the nitrating reagent in the homogeneous dispersion state to prepare a crude nitrated heavy oil, and subjecting the crude nitrated heavy oil to refining, thermal polymerization and vacuum distillation. According to the process of the invention, a petroleum heavy oil containing a large amount of light oil components and being liquid at ordinary temperature, from which pitch has been hardly prepared conventionally, is used as a starting material for preparing pitch, and there can be obtained nitrogen-containing isotropic pitch of homogeneity and high quality having a desired softening point of from a low softening point to a high softening point, though such pitch was unable to be obtained so far.

Abstract: A method for processing chemical cleaning solvent waste that combines evaporation, purification, and detoxification. The method is mobile and thus allows the processing to be done at the site of the cleaning where the entire processing can be completed. Evaporation produces a concentrated solvent and vapor and gas. The concentrated solvent is detoxified to produce a dry residue for long term storage or disposal and a liquid that is filtered and then released to the surrounding environment. The vapor and gas are scrubbed and condensed to produce a gas that is suitable for release and a distillate. The distillate is purified by filtration and reverse osmosis to produce a distillate that is suitable for release.

Abstract: Described are novel processes for treating high-ash coal tars to produce coal tars which are suitable for distillation to form binder pitch. Preferred processes of the invention involve multi-stage centrifugations to reduce ash and preferably also quinoline insoluble levels. Processes of the invention also provide for the treatment of coal tar sludges to recover valuable coal tar distillate and dried, free-flowing coal related material having high fuel value.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hard acids and soft bases used to decompose coal in which finely divided coal particles are contacted with a hard acid in the presence of a soft base at temperatures of from 0.degree. to 100.degree. C., said hard acid being characterized by a heat of reaction with dimethylsulfide of from 10 kcal/mol to 30 kcal/mol and said soft base being characterized by a heat of reaction with boron trifluoride of from 10 kcal/mol to 17 kcal/mol, followed by extracting the decomposed coal to remove said hard acid and soft base wherein the improvement comprises performing said extraction at a temperature of about 0.degree. to about 50.degree. C. using dimethylcarbonate as the extraction solvent.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hard acids and soft bases used to decompose coal in which finely divided coal particles are contacted with a hard acid in the presence of a soft base at temperatures of from 0.degree. to 100.degree. C., said hard acid being characterized by a heat of reaction with dimethylsulfide of from 10 kcal/mol to 30 kcal/mol and said soft base being characterized by a heat of reaction with boron trifluoride of from 10 kcal/mol to 17 kcal/mol, followed by extracting the decomposed coal to remove said hard acid and soft base wherein the improvement comprises performing said extraction at a temperature of about 0.degree. to about 50.degree. C. using dimethylsulfide as the extraction solvent, and wherein following said dimethylcarbonate extraction, said decomposed coal is extracted with water at a temperature of from about 60.degree. to 275.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hard acids and soft bases used to decompose coal in which finely divided coal particles are contacted with a hard acid in the presence of a soft base at temperatures of from 0.degree. to 100.degree. C., said hard acid being characterized by a heat of reaction with dimethylsulfide of from 10 kcal/mol to 30 kcal/mol and said soft base being characterized by a heat of reaction with boron trifluoride of from 10 kcal/mol to 17 kcal/mol, followed by extracting the decomposed coal to remove said hard acid and soft base wherein the improvement comprises performing said extraction at a temperature of about 0.degree. to about 50.degree. C. using dimethylcarbonate as the extraction solvent, and wherein following said dimethylcarbonate extraction, said coal is extracted with water at a temperature of from about 60.degree. to 275.degree. C., and wherein following said water extraction, said coal is soxhlet extracted in sulfolane at a temperature of about 25.degree. to about 350.degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling asphalt based roofing material which typically comprises a body of asphalt and fiber, with aggregate on and adhered to the asphalt. The asphalt bodies, with aggregate, are subjected to action to separate or disengage the aggregate from the asphalt body without substantially reducing the size of the aggregate. Disengagement is effected by causing asphalt bodies with aggregate to impact on each other. Disengagement may be effected by placing asphalt bodies with aggregate in water to form in a slurry, which is agitated, as by an impeller. The asphalt bodies float to the top of the liquid, which is a non-solvent for asphalt, and are removed and dewatered; the aggregate of undiminished size is separately recovered.

Abstract: A process for depolymerizing coal at low temperatures by contacting finely divided coal with a hard acid and soft base.

Abstract: A process for preparing a low ash coal wherein coal is depolymerized at low temperature by contacting finely divided coal with a hard acid and soft base, and extracting the depolymerized coal to remove mineral contaminants.