Abstract: A novel process, and the compositions of matter formed thereby, wherein Group II-A metals, or compounds thereof, can be ion-exchanged onto coal, preferably a high rank coal, notably a subbituminous or bituminous coal, by soaking the coal in an alkali solution of a Group I-A metal compound sufficient to incorporate said metal compound, or cation portion thereof, into said coal to form ion-exchange sites, and ion-exchanging, and thereby replacing all or a portion, preferably a portion, of the Group I-A metal cations with said Group II-A metals. Enhanced gasification rates are achieved by gasification of the so-treated coal, or composition which contains both the Group I-A and Group II-A metals, as contrasted with a coal composition otherwise similar except that it contains an equal molar quantity of either a Group I-A metal or Group II-A metal, rather than both Group I-A and Group II-A metals.

Abstract: A process wherein Group I-A or Group II-A metals, or both, can be ion-exchanged onto coal, especially a high rank coal, notably a subbituminous or bituminous coal, to produce a highly reactive carbonaceous feed for use in gasification reactions, especially to produce high-BTU fuel gases, but also intermediate-BTU or synthesis gas. The coal is treated by contact with an alkaline solution of an admixture of compounds, inclusive of a soluble alkali metal salt and an excess of an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, each of which interacts one with the other to form an alkali metal hydroxide, and an insoluble alkaline earth metal salt precipitate. The coal is treated in a single step by contact with the solution within which both the Group I-A and II-A metal compounds are dispersed, or dissolved.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for separating solid particulate from a gas stream having the same entrained therein. The separation is accomplished with a magnetic separator comprising a plurality of electro magnets disposed generally around or within the periphery of the gas stream or extending through a cross-section thereof, which magnets are operated such that continuous separation is possible. When the solid particulate is not, normally, subject to magnetic attraction, the same may be rendered subject to such attraction by incorporating a suitable compound therein. This is most conveniently accomplished by adding a precursor of such a compound to the process in which the solid particulate is formed at a point after which the subsequent process steps would result in the conversion of the precursor to a suitable material. The particulate is, of course, separated from the gas stream by magnetic attraction and is then withdrawn from the solid separator by "turning off" the electro magnet or magnets.

Abstract: A method for producing sulfur from sulfur dioxide. In the broadest embodiment, sulfur is produced by reducing the sulfur dioxide with a reducing gas comprising one or more lower, monohydric alcohols. The reduction may be accomplished either thermally or catalytically and the principal products obtained will be elemental sulfur and/or hydrogen sulfide, depending principally upon the particular conditions and relative reactive concentrations actually employed and in some cases, at least, some carbon oxysulfide will be produced. In the broadest embodiment, the reduction, and hence, the sulfur production will be accomplished in a single stage. In the more preferred embodiments, however, the production will be accomplished in a plurality of stages and, in a most preferred embodiment, the sulfur dioxide is first contacted with methanol under conditions such that the molar ratio of the hydrogen sulfide and carbon oxysulfide actually produced to the unconverted sulfur dioxide is within the range from about 1.

Abstract: An improved process for the treatment of a calcium-containing subbituminous coal and coals of lower rank to form insoluble, thermally stable calcium salts which remain within the solids portions of the residue on liquefaction of the coal, thereby suppressing the formation of scale, made up largely of calcium carbonate which normally forms within the coal liquefaction reactor (i.e., coal liquefaction zone), e.g., on reactor surfaces, lines, auxiliary equipment and the like. An oxide of sulfur, in liquid phase, is contacted with a coal feed sufficient to impregnate the pores of the coal. The impregnated coal, in particulate form, can thereafter be liquefied in a coal liquefaction reactor (reaction zone) at coal liquefaction conditions without significant formation of scale.

Abstract: A process for the separation of carbon dioxide and, optionally, other acid gas components in a distillation column, operated at high pressure and low temperature, from a gaseous mixture comprising one or more hydrocarbons, including particularly methane, and hydrogen. In its preferred aspects, the feed is predominantly methane, suitably from about 30 to about 85 mole percent and preferably from about 50 to about 80 mole percent methane. The concentration of hydrogen in the gaseous mixture will be sufficient to provide from about 6 to about 34 mole percent, preferably from about 15 to about 25 mole percent hydrogen in the rectification portion of the distillation column. The separation can be effected in a single column usually having from about 20 to about 30 theoretical distillation stages and the feed can be one constituted ab initio within the desired ranges of composition, or modified by addition of components just prior to or at the time of distillation.

Abstract: In a process for the liquefaction of coal in which coal liquids containing phenols and other oxygenated compounds are produced during the liquefaction step and later hydrogenated, oxygenated compounds are removed from at least part of the coal liquids in the naphtha and gas oil boiling range prior to the hydrogenation step and employed as a feed stream for the manufacture of a synthesis gas or for other purposes.

Abstract: A process for liquefying a particulate coal feed to produce useful petroleum-like liquid products which comprises contacting; in a series of two or more coal liquefaction zones, or stages, graded with respect to temperature, an admixture of a polar compound; or compounds, a hydrogen donor solvent and particulate coal, the total effluent being passed in each instance from a low temperature zone, or stage to the next succeeding higher temperature zone, or stage, of the series. The temperature within the initial zone, or stage, of the series is maintained about 70.degree. F and 750.degree. F and the temperature within the final zone, or stage, is maintained between about 750.degree. F and 950.degree. F. The residence time within the first zone, or stage, ranges, generally, from about 20 to about 150 minutes and residence time within each of the remaining zones, or stages, of the series ranges, generally, from about 10 minutes to about 70 minutes.

Abstract: Char fines produced by the gasification of coal or other carbonaceous solids are coked in the presence of heavy hydrocarbon oils, preferably 1000.degree. F.+ bottoms products from a coal liquefaction process, to produce gaseous products, liquids, and larger coke particles. The coke particles thus produced may be fed to the gasifier for the production of additional gaseous products which can be used as fuel, employed as a source of hydrogen for coal liquefaction operations, or utilized for the production of hydrocarbon liquids.

Abstract: The anti-wear and anti-friction properties of a fully formulated lubricating composition containing a zinc dialkyldithiophosphate or a similar metal dialkyldithiophosphate is improved by adding an amine salt of a dialkyldithiophosphate. The amine salt is prepared with a t-alkyl primary amine. The amine salt may be simply added to a formulated composition or used as a substitute for the metal dialkyldithiophosphate which are often included in lubricating compositions.

Abstract: Process for preparing shaped base materials for use in solid catalysts for commercial processes. The solid contact material is prepared by pre-soaking a porous solid particulate carrier material in an organic liquid, immersing the carrier without drying in a dilute acid solution for a given time interval, washing, drying and calcining the impregnated carrier. After calcination, the carrier is impregnated with an active material.

Abstract: In the partial or full combustion of fuels in a fluidized bed, the provision of heat transfer surfaces within the bed impedes particle circulation resulting in localized regions of relative intense chemical reaction which can damage the heat transfer surfaces and cause detrimental physical and/or chemical changes in the bed particles. This problem is exacerbated when the bed is relatively deep and narrow and when the part of full combustion is effected under pressure. In the invention, at least one conduit connects an upper region of the bed to a lower region of the bed, and expedients are provided to cause a downward particle flow through the conduit(s) thereby promoting an upward flow in the bed. Heat exchange surfaces may be in the bed and/or in the conduit(s).

Abstract: A neutral oil soluble organosulfonic acid ammonium salt formed by reaction of C.sub.1 -C.sub.26 sulfonic acid with a nitrogen base chosen from the group consisting of mono-, di-, and tertiary amines, acid addition salts of such amines, or quaternary ammonium compounds, the nitrogen base having at least one hydrocarbyl group containing from about C.sub.1 to C.sub.36 carbon atoms, is added to an oil composition to improve the load-carrying capacity of the oil composition. The sulfonic ammonium salts are particularly effective in synthetic ester lubricants used in turbine engines. The oil compositions of this invention are also compatible with the silicone and fluorosilicone seals used in such engines.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide is removed from flue gases by contacting the flue gas at elevated temperature with a sorbent comprising a shaped refractory substrate of low surface area and an adherent oxide film impregnated with a transition metal or metal oxide which is selective for the removal of sulfur oxide from gas mixtures on the external surface of the substrate. A technique for laying down the adherent oxide film on the refractory substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nitrogen oxides are removed from gaseous mixtures comprising the same by contacting with a catalyst comprising a base metal component carried on a natural or synthetic zeolite in the presence of ammonia. The alkali metal content of the zeolite is carefully controlled through ion exchange with an alkaline earth metal compound.

Abstract: Elementary sulfur is obtained from sulfur-containing materials which release sulfur oxides (SO.sub.x) in the presence of oxygen by fluidizing such materials in a bed with an oxygen-containing gas (e.g., air), and passing the resulting SO.sub.x -containing gases through a bed (preferably fluidized) of carbonaceous or carbon-containing solids (such as coke or coal) at an elevated temperature to reduce SO.sub.x to elemental sulfur, the bottom of the bed of carbonaceous or carbon-containing solids being at about the level of the top of the bed of sulfur-containing materials.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide is removed from gas mixtures such as flue gas containing the same by contacting the gas mixture with a solid sorbent comprising a porous gamma-alumina base, about 2 to 20 percent by weight (based on alumina) of a coating of a refractory oxide such as titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, or silica, and an active material, such as copper oxide, which is capable of selective removal of sulfur oxides from a gas mixture.

Abstract: A method for reducing sulfur dioxide wherein ammonia is used as the reducing agent. The reduction may be accomplished either thermally or catalytically and the principal products obtained will be elemental sulfur and/or hydrogen sulfide, depending principally upon the particular conditions and relative reactant concentrations actually employed. The sulfur dioxide may be derived from essentially any source. In a preferred embodiment, however, the sulfur dioxide will be derived from a flue gas stream and the same will be separated therefrom with an absorption process wherein ammonia (on an aqueous ammoniacal solution) is also used as the absorbent.

Abstract: A mold release agent for foamed rubber formulated from the sodium soap of tall oil acids, kerosene and paraffin wax has improved mold release properties. This mold release agent is effectively removed from the molded articles by water washing, thus eliminating the need of hydrocarbon solvents. A preferred method of manufacture of the mold release agent is also described combining the tall oil and a paraffin base oil and heating to 125.degree. F., neutralizing with aqueous alkaline solution dehydrating and heating to 315.degree. F., adding 25% more paraffin base, cooling while stirring, adding wax at 245.degree. F. and finally adding kerosene when mixture has cooled to 130.degree. F., to provide an improved mold release agent.

Abstract: Nitrogen oxides are removed from gas mixtures containing nitrogen oxides and oxygen by adding a reducing agent that is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 olefin or an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene or toluene, preferably butene-1, and contacting the mixture at 200.degree. to 450.degree. C with a catalyst comprising iridium or a compound thereof supported on a refractory carrier, preferably alumina.