Abstract: A process for gasification of cellulosic materials in a single gasification vessel wherein the cellulosic materials are introduced directly into a single back-mixed fluidized bed of high heat capacity inert solids. The fluidized bed is maintained at temperatures of about 1200.degree. to about 1600.degree. F., pressures of up to about 500 psig devolatilizing the cellulosic materials. A substantial portion of the heavier hydrocarbons produced by devolatilization of the cellulosic materials is reformed within the gasification vessel and a substantial portion of the devolatilized cellulosic materials is gasified by reaction with hydrogen and steam within the fluidized bed. Cellulosic materials residue is combusted in an oxygen-rich atmosphere in the lower portion of the fluidized bed to principally form heat and cellulosic materials ash. The highly back-mixed fluidized bed results in temperature variation along the height of the bed, including the combustion zone, of less than 100.degree. F.

Abstract: A two phase anaerobic digestion process for production of methane from organic carbonaceous material in which an active acid forming microbial population is maintained in a first acid forming digestion phase and an active methane forming microbial population is maintained in a second methane forming digestion phase, the liquid effluent from the acid forming digestion phase being passed to a first methane forming digester and gaseous product from the acid forming digestion phase being passed to a second separated methane forming digester for production of methane in the first and second methane forming digesters of the methane forming digestion phase. The two separated methane digestion phases provide increased overall methane production.

Abstract: An ammonia utilization process substantially eliminates by-product ammonia gas produced during hydrogen forming gasification processes by recycling sour water stripper off-gas comprising ammonia to a hydrogen forming gasifier wherein by-product ammonia gas is converted to desired hydrogen product gas and nitrogen.

Abstract: A process for thermal treatment of solid particles in a fluidized bed wherein the solid particles by thermal treatment form a lighter weight fraction and a heavier weight fraction, relative to the total contents of the bed. The process is characterized by use of a selective heavier particle discharge conduit in the sloping bed support and maintenance of a discrete fluid fueled flame in close proximity to and above the opening to the heavier particle discharge conduit. This forms a higher temperature zone in and surrounding the flame, at least about 100.degree. F. higher than the remainder bed temperature. Circulation of solid particles through the flame and its surrounding higher temperature region is promoted both by directing of fluidization gas jets in the fluidized bed support and by the jetting action of the upwardly flowing heavier particle discharge gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for sulfur removal from gas streams by contacting an active culture of photosynthetic sulfur bacteria with reductive sulfur compounds and carbon oxides in the gas stream under substantially anaerobic conditions with irradiation by electromagnetic energy and cultivating the bacteria to form elemental sulfur and organic carbon compounds. The process is particularly suited for removal of hydrogen sulfide from acid-gas streams and from natural or raw pipeline gas with greater than 95 percent and usually greater than about 98 percent sulfur removal from gas streams. The process is operable with gas streams of very low hydrogen sulfide content of about 0.1 and less Mole percent and gas streams of high hydrogen sulfide content. The process utilizes Chlorobium bacteria to produce elemental sulfur and organic carbon compounds which may be advantageously utilized to produce hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for control and maintenance of fluidized beds under non-steady state conditions. An ash removal conduit is provided for removing solid particulates from a fluidized bed separate from an ash discharge conduit in the lower portion of the grate supporting such a bed. The apparatus and process of this invention is particularly suitable for use in ash agglomerating fluidized beds and provides control of the fluidized bed before ash agglomeration is initiated and during upset conditions resulting in stable, sinter-free fluidized bed maintenance.

Abstract: Reduction of electrode metal dissolution in electrolyte between two metal electrodes of a voltaic cell by adding an electrode metal dissolution reduction agent to the electrolyte prior to operation of the cell, the electrode metal dissolution reduction agent being a sacrificial electrode metal, a metal promoting common ion effect with one of the electrode metals, seed metal particles serving as precipitation sites for an electrode metal, and combinations thereof. Reduction of the electrode metal dissolution in the electrolyte of a voltaic cell is also achieved by maintaining a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of about 0.5 to about 1.5 atmospheres in the electrolyte during operation of the cell. The method and electrolyte is particularly suited for molten carbonate fuel cells.

Abstract: A process for the selective production of partially oxidized organic compounds at the catalytic anode of a fuel cell wherein oxide anions formed at the fuel cell cathode by ionization of oxygen containing gas are transported by a molten salt oxygen containing electrolyte to the catalytic anode where selective partial oxidation of organic compounds is facilitated by the catalytic anode. Suitable catalytic anodes include catalysts selected from elements of the Periodic Table appearing in a group selected from the group consisting of Group IB, IIB, IIIA, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII, in metallic oxide or cermet form. The process of this invention is particularly useful in the production of methanol by partial oxidation of methane.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for frost control for the ambient air heat exchanger of a space conditioning apparatus. The ambient air heat exchanger is immersed in a fluidized bed enhancing the heat transfer and physically reducing frost formation. In a preferred embodiment, the fluidized bed is supported by a support bed of non-fluidized solid particles. In one of the embodiments the particulate beds may be desiccant materials. The space conditioning apparatus and method of frost control of this invention permits smaller ambient air heat exchangers and accommodates greater transient conditions due to the enhanced heat transfer and physical prevention of ice formation resulting from the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A pipe worm comprises radially inflatable toroids spaced along an axially inflatable tubular body. The worm inches through piping through sequential inflation and deflation of the toroids and tubular body. The worm includes a fluid supply source, pipe maintenance instrumentation and automatic, semiautomatic or manual controls which are remote, on-board or trailered, as desired. The worm is inexpensive, reliable, capable of turning 90 degree corners, and further uniquely advantageous.

Abstract: A non-catalytic porous-phase combustor and process for generating radiant energy wherein the gas phase reaction and combustion take place within the pores of a multilayer porous plate to provide higher combustion intensity and to provide a greater proportion of heat released by radiation. The combustor comprises a porous plate having at least two discrete and contiguous layers, a first preheat layer comprising a material having a low inherent thermal conductivity and a second combustion layer comprising a material having a high inherent thermal conductivity and providing a radiating surface. Combustion intensities of about 400,000 to about 750,000 Btu/hr-ft.sup.2 may be achieved in the combustion layer of the porous phase combustor.

Abstract: A photoacoustic speaker and method for producing photoacoustic sound by utilizing a laser beam, modulating the intensity of the laser beam in response to audio signal inputs and passing the modulated laser beam into a gas absorption chamber wherein gas capable of absorption of the modulated laser beam upon such absorption produces photothermic pressure waves corresponding to the audio signal inputs and which produce sound upon impingement on walls of the absorption chamber. The photoacoustic speaker achieves high fidelity sound reproduction and is capable of projecting a column of sound thereby providing an acoustic dimension effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally and pneumatically treating granular solids to remove organic and inorganic chemical additives which are bonded to the granular solids or in admixture with them, to provide a purified granular solid product which is suitable for reuse, for example foundry sand for use in high strength molded cores, or for other productive uses, such as landfill. Granular solid feed material is preheated in a dilute phase zone of a fluidized bed, organic chemical additives are thermally oxidized in a dense phase zone of the fluidized bed, and remaining inorganic chemical additives are separated and removed from the granular solids in a contiguous pneumatic impaction zone. The purified granular solids are removed from the pneumatic impaction zone and organic and inorganic materials are elutriated from the fluidized bed and removed from the head space.

Abstract: A process for production of mixed calcium-magnesium organic acid salts useful for de-icing obtained by anaerobic hydrolysis-fermentation of organic carbonaceous solids by a biologically active mixture of hydrolysis-fermentation anaerobes in which the growth of methanogenic bacteria is suppressed and calcium-magnesium oxygen containing compound is added to the anaerobic digester to control pH and to react with the fermentation acid products to form a mixture of calcium-magnesium organic acid salts. The calcium-magnesium organic acid salts may be readily recovered in solid form for economical utilization in roadway de-icing. The anaerobic digestion is conducted under a naturally obtained mixed microbial population in the presence of the calcium-magnesium oxide containing compound, eliminating the need for pure microbiological strains and sterilization or pasteurization of feed materials.

Abstract: An energy efficient process for beneficiating and dewatering high water content carbonaceous materials utilizing a pneumatic stream to entrain, transport, dewater and to carbonize organic carbonaceous material in a fluidized bed. The process utilizes physical separation for principal removal of moisture and reduces contact between organic carbonaceous matter and hot process water, thereby retaining a high organic content in the product fuel. The organic carbonaceous materials are chemically beneficiated during carbonization in a fluidized bed contactor. Heat exchange and heat recovery procedures provide an economical, energy efficient process.

Abstract: A process for gasification of cellulosic biomass in a single gasification vessel wherein the cellulosic biomass is introduced directly into a single back-mixed fluidized bed of high heat capacity inert solids. The fluidized bed is maintained at temperatures of about 1200.degree. to about 1600.degree. F., pressures of up to about 500 psig devolatilizing the biomass. A substantial portion of the heavier hydrocarbons produced by devolatilization of the biomass is reformed within the gasification vessel and a substantial portion of the devolatilized biomass is gasified by reaction with hydrogen and steam within the fluidized bed. Biomass residue is combusted in an oxygen-rich atmosphere in the lower portion of the fluidized bed to principally form heat and biomass ash. The highly back-mixed fluidized bed results in temperature variation along the height of the bed, including the combustion zone, of less than 100.degree. F.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for thermochemical beneficiation of carbonaceous solids, such as low rank coals and biomass, by countercurrently passing a moving bed of the solids in contact with a liquid in an amount sufficient to flush product liquids having dissolved and suspended products and make-water from the moving bed which is maintained within the wet carbonization reaction zone at about 400.degree. to about 650.degree. and an elevated pressure sufficient to prevent boiling of the liquid. The feed liquid may be preheated in a lower liquid preheat zone of the moving bed and a substantial portion of the liquid removed as heat recovery liquid for other process uses. External heat may be added in the lower portion of the wet carbonization reaction zone.

Abstract: High temperature fuel cell wet seal strips around the periphery of a separator plate fabricated utilizing powder metallurgy technique. The material composition of said wet seal may be variably graded to afford ease of bonding of said wet seal with the separator plate on one side and provide corrosion inhibition on the other side in communication with an electrolyte. Similar wet seals may be formed from a single metal powder with surface treatment of the surface adjacent the electrolyte to provide resistance to corrosion by the electrolyte.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for production of liquid and gaseous fuels from solid organic carbonaceous materials by reacting free falling solids in a countercurrent gas stream. The process is conducted with a lean solids phase which provides good process control and uniform flow of solids even in the presence of condensation and refluxing of liquids on the solid particles. Rapid heatup rates provide high carbon conversions. Oil shales of the eocene period are particularly well suited for the process of this invention. A reactor particularly suited for conducting reactions between free falling solids and countercurrent flowing gas streams is disclosed together with preferred methods for introduction of solid feeds to the top of the reactor.

Abstract: Granular solids are thermally and pneumatically treated to remove organic and inorganic chemical additives which are bonded to the granular solids or in admixture with them, to provide a purified granular solid product which is suitable for reuse, for example foundry sand for use in high strength molded cores, or for other productive uses, such as landfill. Granular solid feed material is preheated in a dilute phase zone of a fluidized bed, organic chemical additives are thermally oxidized in a dense phase zone of the fluidized bed, and remaining inorganic chemical additives are separated and removed from the granular solids in a contiguous pneumatic impaction zone. The purified granular solids are removed from the pneumatic impaction zone and organic and inorganic materials are elutriated from the fluidized bed and removed from the head space.