Abstract: A pressurized combustion of slurries of low-cost, unbeneficiated solid fuels in the presence of steam and alkali in which sulfur oxide emissions are inherently low, emissions of nitrogen oxides controlled by the injection of a scavenging agent and emissions of particulates prevented by condensing steam on and around them. The combustion has applications to steam boilers, combined cycles and gas turbines, including steam injected (STIG) and intercooled steam injected (ISTIG) versions. Turbine blade and nozzle erosion and deposits are avoided by the effective wet separation of ash particles before reheating and expansion.

Abstract: A pressurized combustion of slurries of low-cost, unbeneficiated solid fuels in the presence of steam and alkali in which sulfur oxide emissions are inherently low, emissions of nitrogen oxides controlled by the injection of a scavenging agent and emissions of particulates prevented by condensing steam on and around them. The combustion has applications to steam boilers, combined cycles and gas turbines, including steam injected (STIG) and intercooled steam injected (ISTIG) versions. Turbine blade and nozzle erosion and deposits are avoided by the effective wet separation of ash particles before reheating and expansion.

Abstract: A fuels conversion which consumes energy and produces an aqueous waste is combined with a pressurized wet combustion which charges the waste, converting its combustible contaminants to energy returned to the conversion, concurrently purifying the waste for use or disposal. The heating value of the contaminants may be supplemented by an extraneous fuel, using the waste as slurrying medium, so that the combination is made energy self-sufficient. Transfer of heat may be by direct contact between hot combustion products and fuel being converted. Other processes which produce aqueous waste and consume energy may similarly be combined with the wet combustion.

Abstract: Liquid wastes and solid wastes, which can be put into slurry form, have combustible constituents burned from them at supercritical temperature and subcritical pressure, with respect to water, resulting in purified water and, with the more concentrated wastes, recovery of valuable energy. Pressure makes possible the recovery of latent heat so that the dry heating value of the waste is made available. Consequently, relatively dilute wastes can be "incinerated" without the consumption of auxiliary fuel.

Abstract: In a continuous pressurized process for the combustion, in the presence of steam and alkali, of solid fuels charged as aqueous slurries, the improvements comprising the elevation of inlet zone temperature in an entrained phase reactor by recirculating hot solid products to the zone, maintaining increased temperature and/or reduced steam partial pressure in the reactor and/or utilizing contaminated water from an associated fuels processing apparatus as a source of slurry and/or reactor temperature control water. An embodiment suitable for a coal-fired gas turbine locomotive is described and illustrated.

Abstract: A fuel efficient combination of pressurized combustion and compressed air energy storage in which combustion air compressors have excess capacity which is utilized, during off-peak periods, to charge an underground storage cavern. Air withdrawn from the cavern during peak periods is utilized as combustion air, freeing the turbines which drove the air compressors during the off-peak period to power generators producing peak load electricity.