Abstract: In a process for the production of hydrogen-rich gas from a fuel gas containing carbon monoxide and other components, the fuel gas is contacted in a formate synthesis zone with an aqueous solution containing sodium or potassium carbonate and/or bicarbonate under conditions effective to produce an effluent aqueous solution of the corresponding formate and an effluent gas containing the other components of the fuel gas. The aqueous formate solution is thereafter subjected to catalytic decomposition in a formate decomposition zone under conditions effective to produce a hydrogen-righ gas and an aqueous solution which consists essentially of carbonate and/or bicarbonate solution.

Abstract: In a process for the production of hydrogen-rich gas from a gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other components by contacting the gas in a formate synthesis zone with an aqueous solution containing alkali metal carbonate and/or bicarbonate under conditions effective to produce an effluent aqueous solution containing the corresponding formate and an effluent gas containing the other components of the gas, and thereafter catalytically decomposing the formate in a formate decomposition zone under conditions effective to produce a hydrogen-rich gas and an aqueous solution which contains alkali metal carbonate and/or bicarbonate, the improvement comprising further contacting the gas and the aqueous solution in a catalytic formate synthesis zone prior to decomposing the formate.

Abstract: Improved rate of recovery of zinc values from the solids which are carried over by the effluent vapors from the oxidative vapor phase regeneration of spent zinc chloride catalyst is achieved by treatment of the solids with both hydrogen chloride and calcium chloride to selectively and rapidly recover the zinc values as zinc chloride.

Abstract: A coal liquefaction process is provided in which a solvent is used to at least partially liquefy the coal. The process is maintained in solvent balance without extraneous addition of make-up solvent. The required balance is effected by selectively recovering from the liquefaction product an oil-containing liquid phase, at least a portion of the liquid phase being thereafter hydrogenated to form coal solvent in sufficient amount to replenish that lost. The selective recovery of the desired liquid phase is effected by means of a deasphalting solvent that preferentially separates asphaltenes and benzene insolubles from the coal extract.

Abstract: In a process for hydrocracking heavy polynuclear carbonaceous feedstocks to produce lighter hydrocarbon fuels by contacting the heavy feedstocks with hydrogen in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst, thereafter separating at least a substantial portion of the carbonaceous material associated with the reaction mixture from the spent molten metal halide and thereafter regenerating the metal halide catalyst, an improvement comprising contacting the spent molten metal halide catalyst after removal of a major portion of the carbonaceous material therefrom with an additional quantity of hydrogen is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for agglomerating finely divided carbonaceous solids is disclosed. The method comprises mixing the solids with oil having a softening point above about 100.degree. C in an aqueous medium at a temperature above about 120.degree. C and at a pressure greater than about 1000 mm Hg.

Abstract: The mining machine has a body portion mounted on a pair of endless propelling tracks which advance the mining machine forwardly in the mine. Pairs of forwardly extending arm members are pivotally connected to the body portion and support at their end portions a skid plate which is positioned transversely across the body portion and arranged to rest on and slide over the mine floor. A first conveyor is supported by the skid plate and receives and directs dislodged material from the mine floor to a second conveyor connected to the end portion of the first conveyor. The second conveyor discharges the dislodged material to the rear of the body portion. A support frame is positioned on the skid plate and horizontally supports a pair of transverse guide rails at the front end of the body portion. A carriage is slidably mounted for transverse movement on the guide rails and includes a rotatable supporting shaft.

Abstract: A start-up method for a methanation process wherein a plurality of catalyst beds are used. The method comprises heating a first catalyst bed to a suitable temperature and thereafter charging a synthesis gas in mixture with an inert diluent to the first catalyst bed. The product stream from the first catalyst bed contains an excess of hydrogen and is passed to a second catalyst bed thereby heating the second catalyst bed. At least a portion of the product stream from the first catalyst bed is recycled to form the inert diluent used with the synthesis gas stream passed to the first catalyst bed.

Abstract: An improved adiabatic reactor for exothermic catalytic reactions is disclosed. The improvement in the reactor comprises the use of multiple injection devices to inject additional reactant streams into the reactor at a plurality of locations at which the reaction is substantially complete. A method for using the reactor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Liquefaction of coal is effected by extraction of coal by a distillable solvent in the presence of hydrogen under conditions selected to produce a coal liquefaction product, the major portion of which is distillable. The effluent slurry product is vacuum distilled to recover the distillables including the solvent. The bottoms fraction is subjected to solvent treatment or fractionation to selectively recover the lower molecular weight portion, which portion is hydrogenated to yield distillate fuels. The remainder of the bottoms fraction is used as feed to a gasifier to make a hydrogen-rich gas or a methane-rich gas as desired.

Abstract: Improved recovery of spent molten zinc halide hydro-cracking catalyst is achieved in the oxidative vapor phase regeneration thereof by selective treatment of the zinc oxide carried over by the effluent vapors from the regeneration zone with hydrogen halide gas under conditions favoring the reaction of the zinc oxide with the hydrogen halide, whereby regenerated zinc halide is recovered in a solids-free state with little loss of zinc values.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle for transporting dislodged material out of a mine includes a mobile body supported on driven wheels and vertical side walls that define a material haulage compartment. The vehicle is controlled from an operator's compartment that is positioned adjacent the outboard side of one of the mobile body side walls. The operator's compartment is movable relative to the side wall by a pair of vertically extending guide rails that are rigidly secured to the side wall of the operator's compartment opposite the side wall of the mobile body. A pair of vertically extending guideways are secured to the body side wall and slidably receive the guide rails. The guide rails move in the guideways to permit movement of the operator's compartment on the body side wall as the bottom portion of the comparment contacts the mine floor as the vehicle travels over the uneven undulating mine floor. A stop mechanism on the compartment prevents the guide rails from sliding out of the guideways.

Abstract: Production of a low ash liquid or liquefiable fuel from coal is effected by solvent treatment and separation of the undissolved solids. The latter are removed by first agglomerating the non-settling finely divided solids, and then effecting separation of the agglomerates in a downwardly moving ebullated bed of agglomerates where the upflowing fluidizing liquid is a wash solvent which preferably is a mixture of precipitating solvent and coal liquefaction solvent.

Abstract: Sodium, potassium and ammonium thiosulfates may be converted to a mixture of the corresponding carbonates and sulfides by first partially reducing the thiosulfate with CO to formate in a first reduction zone, and then using the formate so produced to effect further reduction of the thiosulfate in a second reduction zone.

Abstract: In a process for the production of hydrogen-rich gas from a fuel gas containing carbon monoxide and other components, the fuel gas is contacted in a formate synthesis zone with an aqueous solution containing sodium or potassium carbonate and/or bicarbonate under conditions effective to produce an effluent aqueous solution of the corresponding formate and an effluent gas containing the other components of the fuel gas. The aqueous formate solution is thereafter subjected to catalytic decomposition in a formate decomposition zone under conditions effective to produce a hydrogen-rich gas and an aqueous solution which consists essentially of carbonate and/or bicarbonate solution.

Abstract: A pair of sensor assemblies that change in electrical resistance when exposed to a mixture of combustible gas are positioned at a selected location in a mine or on a piece of operating equipment and receive power for continuous operation from a regulated power source. Regulator devices maintain a preselected input signal to the sensor assemblies. When exposed to a mixture of combustible gas, the sensor assemblies generate output signals which are received by a comparator and switch assembly. If an output signal of a sensor assembly exceeds a preselected signal of the comparator associated therewith, an alarm signal is generated and an audible and visual alarm device is actuated to indicate the presence of a combustible mixture of gas in the mine atmosphere. A time delay mechanism is operable to interrupt the input signal to the sensor assemblies if the alarm signal continues longer than a preselected interval.

Abstract: A rotary drum assembly includes separate agglomerating and hardening drums that are rotated independently of each other. The agglomerating drum has a generally cylindrical configuration with an inner cylindrical wall. A scraper is rotatably positioned within the agglomerating drum in spaced relation to the inner cylindrical wall with its axis spaced from the axis of the drum. The scraper has a tubular body portion with a plurality of parallel rows of blades extending radially therefrom. Each of the rows extends lengthwise along substantially the entire length of the scaper body portion and follow a helical path having a single turn about the axis of the tubular body portion. The rows of blades thus make a single convolution about the scraper body portion. Drive means are provided to synchronously rotate the agglomerating drum and scraper with the scraper arranged to rotate at a preselected and different speed relative to the speed of the drum.

Abstract: Formcoke suitable for use in a blast furnace is made from a non-caking or weakly caking coal by converting the coal to an agglomeratable material consisting essentially of a blend of the entire product (without separation of extract and undissolved solids) obtained by solvent extraction of the coal in the presence of hydrogen and a suitable amount of hydrocarbonaceous solids. The agglomeratable material is agglomerated under low temperature carbonizing conditions and the agglomerates are thereafter calcined to produce strong formcoke.

Abstract: A cylindrical metallic sleeve has opposite end portions and a cylindrical body portion with a longitudinal passageway for receiving the end portions of a conducting cable in overlapping relation. A shaped annular portion is formed adjacent the sleeve end portions and includes an inner, outwardly flared cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface that intersect in a rounded end portion. The outer cylindrical surface is planar and positioned substantially parallel to the sleeve cylindrical body portion so that the insulation surrounding the cables adjacent the sleeve end portions is not abraded upon flexing the spliced cable. The flared inner surface is removed from contact with the overlapping cable end portions in the sleeve to permit flexing of the cable end portions therein without abrading the cables. The sleeve body is crimped into frictional engagement with the overlapped cable end portions.

Abstract: Low-sulfur and low-ash gaseous, liquid and solid fuels are made from coal by a process which first subjects the coal to solvent extraction and hydrotreatment under hydrodesulfurizing conditions in a coal liquefaction zone to reduce the organic sulfur content of the coal. The effluent is divided into a low-solids product which contains most of the extract and a high-solids product which contains most of the remaining inorganic sulfur and other mineral matter. The low-solids product stream which contains extract and solvent is subjected to a forming step to yield low-ash and low-sulfur pellets. The high-solids product stream is subjected to gasification to yield hydrogen for use in the liquefaction step. The process is particularly adapted to supply the energy needs of a steel plant, including the required coke.