Abstract: In a process for recovery of values contained in solid carbonaceous material, a solid carbonaceous material is comminuted and then treated at an elevated temperature in a pretreatment zone with a first capping agent which is at treating conditions either a liquid or a gas. The treating conditions are such that the first capping agent is sorbed by the solid particulate carbonaceous material. The solid particulate carbonaceous material containing the sorbed first capping agent is then subjected to pyrolysis in the presence of a second capping agent, a carbon containing solid particulate source of heat and a beneficially reactive transport gas in a transport flash pyrolysis reactor, to form a pyrolysis product stream. The solid particulate carbonaceous feed material is pyrolyzed and newly formed volatilized hydrocarbon free radicals are substantially simultaneously terminated by the sorbed first capping agent or the second capping agent as such radicals are formed, to form a pyrolysis product stream.

Abstract: In a process for recovery of values contained in solid carbonaceous material, the solid carbonaceous material is comminuted and then subjected to pyrolysis in the presence of a capping agent, a carbon containing solid particulate source of heat and a beneficially reactive transport gas in a transport flash pyrolysis reactor, to form a pyrolysis product stream. The solid carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed and newly formed volatilized hydrocarbon free radicals are substantially simultaneously terminated by the capping agent to form a pyrolysis product stream. The pyrolysis product stream contains a gaseous mixture and particulate solids which are separated from the gaseous mixture to form a substantially particulate solids-free gaseous mixture stream which contains capping agent terminated volatilized hydrocarbon free radicals, hydrogen depleted capping agent, pyrolysis product vapors and a transport gas. The beneficially reactive transport gas inhibits the reactivity of the char product.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for removing a species from a fluid which comprises (a) contacting said fluid with a hollow microcapsule, said microcapsule having a wall surrounding an internal void, said wall being substantially insoluble in said fluid and said species being permeable to said wall; (b) permeating said species through said wall into said void; (c) converting said permeated species, in said void into a species which is impermeable to said wall; (d) separating said microcapsule from said fluid; (e) converting the impermeable species of step (c) into a species which is permeable to said wall; and (f) permeating the permeable species of step (e) through said wall. Preferably said void contains a reagent which together with said permeated species form a reversible oxidation-reduction couple. In the instant preferred embodiment said permeated species is converted into an impermeable species by means of said oxidation-reduction reaction to trap said impermeable species in said void.

Abstract: Process for removal of water from a mixture of water and certain solid residues of carbonaceous material, such as a coal char-water slurry, which comprises mixing the slurry with an acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, a surfactant, preferably water-immiscible such as lecithin, and an organic compound such as a liquid hydrocarbon, e.g. mineral spirits, causing the char to agglomerate, and thereby facilitating separation of the char from the mixture, as by screening, and filtering or centrifuging.

Abstract: A process for separating limestone ore particles from gangue particles comprises the steps of (1) conditioning the mixed particles with an agent comprising a compound having both a surface-selective functional group and a fluorescent moiety, to selectively coat either the ore particles or the gangue particles, to the substantial exclusion of the other; (2) irradiating the mixture to cause fluorescence in the coated particles; and (3) separating the fluorescing, coated particles from the substantially uncoated particles. The process may be used to separate by coating either the ore particles or the gangue particles.

Abstract: A method for determining kerogen content in oil shale is disclosed. The kerogen content of oil shale is measured by transmitting light of the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum through a sample containing comminuted oil shale and determining the amount of light absorbed by the kerogen in such sample. The amount of light of a selected wave number absorbed by the sample of comminuted oil shale is proportional to the Fischer Assay determination of kerogen content of such a sample. An internal standard having an absorbance within the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum at a wave number other than wherein oil shale has an absorbance is integrated into the sample of oil shale for providing an indication of the kerogen content within the oil shale sample upon comparison of the relative absorbance at the respective wave number of selected infrared light for the internal standard and the kerogen.

Abstract: Oxygenated hydrocarbons are contacted with a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite for conversion into hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An entrainment separator for separating entrained liquids or solids from a gas includes a housing having an inlet and a first outlet disposed in opposite ends therein and a second outlet disposed in said housing intermediate said inlet and first outlet. Gas with entrained liquids or gases introduced into the housing through the inlet and is intercepted by a first surface onto which the liquids or solids impinge. An annular deflector and the first surface and toward a tube disposed within the housing and extending away from the second surface opposite said first surface. Means is provided for varying the size of the opening between the deflector and the first surface, and a funnel is provided for conducting flow of the liquids or solids, separated from the gas, into the first outlet. The second outlet enables withdrawal of gas which is substantially free of entrained liquids and solids.

Abstract: Direct contact heat transfer process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines or other hot aqueous solutions of a non-volatile solute, or for desalination, using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. In one embodiment, hot geothermal brine or other hot aqueous liquid is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a cooler water stream. The heated water stream under substantial pressure is fed to an expander or turbine to produce work.

Abstract: A source for a high density electrically neutral beam of combined positive and negative particles suitable for bombardment and heating of a pellet of nuclear fusion material to fusion temperature. A source mounted in a housing with a spherical substrate and providing free elements at the surface thereof, an electron beam for ionizing the free elements to produce positive ions, first, second and third grids spaced from each other along beam paths, and electron emitters, all for providing positive ion beams and electron beams at the same velocity for mixing to provide an overall neutral electrical charge. A porous substrate for passing a gas under pressure to the surface for ionizing. A porous substrate charged with solids, and a heater for vaporizing the solids for passing to the surface for ionizing.

Abstract: A process and system for obtaining fresh water from salt water such as sea water, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. Relatively hot fresh water is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon at a temperature differnce of 2.degree.-4.degree. F. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a colder saline stream, and the condensed hydrocarbon is returned to the lower compartment.

Abstract: Organic waste is converted to hydrocarbons by a process which comprises the steps of:(a) pyrolyzing the organic waste to form a mixture including oxygenated hydrocarbons, and(b) contacting the oxygenated hydrocarbons with a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite to form hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method of converting the solid organic fraction of solid waste into a powdered fuel which comprises heating said solid organic fraction in the presence of an organic acid for a time and at a temperature sufficient to embrittle said solid organic fraction, comminuting said embrittled solid organic fraction to a powder which is less than a predetermined particle size, and recovering said powder.The solid organic fraction may be separated from the solid waste prior to treatment by the process of this invention or alternatively the solid waste can be treated by the method of this invention and the embrittled organic fraction separated therefrom. The organic acid may be added to the solid organic fraction as an aqueous solution, a gas, or solid, preferably as an aqueous solution of oxalic acid. The embrittling process takes place at a temperature of at least 125.degree. C., preferably from 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: The gas stream obtained from the pyrolysis of solid organic wastes and containing halogens, particularly chlorine in the form of the corresponding hydrogen halide is processed to obtain a halide free pyrolytic oil. The gas stream after solids removal is contacted with a solid metal halide acceptor above the dew point of pyrolyzate to form the corresponding metal halide which may be discarded. As an alternative the metal halide can be treated to release the hydrogen halide which is recovered as an acid and the acceptor regenerated for recycle. The preferred acceptor is calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A process for producing layered organometallic polymers having organo groups covalently bonded to pentavalent metal atoms. The pentavalent metal atoms are, in turn, covalently bonded through an oxygen linkage to tetravalent metal atoms. The layered organometallic compounds are produced by reacting a silyl diester of an organo-substituted pentavalent metal acid with at least one tetravalent metal ion.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method of converting the solid organic fraction of solid waste into a powdered fuel which comprises heating said solid organic fraction in the presence of an aldehyde having more than one carbon atom, preferably a multifunctional aldehyde such as glyoxal, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to embrittle said solid organic fraction, comminuting said embrittled solid organic fraction to a powder which is less than a predetermined particle size, and recovering said powder.The solid organic fraction may be separated from the solid waste prior to treatment by the process of this invention or alternatively the solid waste can be treated by the method of this invention and the embrittled organic fraction separated therefrom. The aldehyde may be added to the solid organic fraction as an aqueous solution, a gas, or solid. The embrittling process takes place at a temperature of at least 125.degree. C., preferably from 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method of converting the solid organic fraction of solid waste into a powdered fuel which comprises heating said solid organic fraction in an inert atmosphere for a time and at a temperature sufficient to embrittle said solid organic fraction without causing substantial decomposition, pyrolysis, or dry weight loss of said solid organic fraction, comminuting said embrittled solid organic fraction to a powder which is less than a predetermined particle size, and recovering said powder. The inert atmosphere will comprise less than 1% by weight oxygen and is preferably a mixture of carbon oxides and nitrogen. The embrittling process takes place at a temperature of at least 125.degree. C., preferably from 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. and said embrittled solid organic fraction is preferably comminuted to a predetermined particle size of less than 10 mesh.

Abstract: Inorganic compounds which contain pendant organic functional groups are prepared by the reaction of an acid of the formula [(HO).sub.2 OZO.sub.x ].sub.k R, in which Z is a pentavalent metal, X is 0 or 1, k is 1 or 2, and R is an acyclic organo group, with a tetravalent metal ion. The compounds are insoluble in the reaction medium, exist in a layered crystalline to amorphous form, and have the formula M(O.sub.3 ZO.sub.x R).sub.n, in which M is the tetravalent metal and n is 1 or 2. One use for the compounds is as selective sorbents.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method for making magnesium metal by reducing a magnesium metal precursor in an electrochemical cell wherein the cathode is a molten silicon alloy. Magnesium metal is formed at the interface of the silicon alloy and the magnesium metal precursor (or the molten salt if the magnesium metal precursor is suspended as finely divided particles in a molten salt) and subsequently combines with said silicon alloy. The silicon alloy containing combined magnesium metal is removed from said cell to a magnesium metal removal zone wherein an inert gas is passed through the alloy at a temperature and pressure sufficient to remove the magnesium metal as a vapor overhead. The magnesium metal is recovered and the silicon alloy, depleted in magnesium, is returned to the cell for further use as a cathode.

Abstract: A process for producing a carboxylic acid salt from carbonaceous material comprising treating a mixture of a carbonaceous material which is essentially free of minerals from oil shale, water, and a material containing minerals from oil shale with oxygen under conditions sufficient to convert said carbonaceous material to a carboxylic acid salt.The carboxylic acid salt can be converted to a carboxylic acid.The process is especially useful for producing an aromatic carboxylic acid from an aromatic carbonaceous material such as coal.