Abstract: The invention provides pressure protection for the interior casing of hydrogenation reactors by the use of a manifold interconnecting the annular chambers of the aforesaid reactors with the processed-gas vapor path whereby process-conditioned pressure changes generated during the reaction process are simultaneously balanced. As a result, the interior casings of the reactors which define the reaction vessel can be made of relatively thin material as compared to conventional reaction vessels.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for wet-quenching of hot-coke unloaded from a coke producing oven use water quenching from exclusive overhead tanks in two distinct consecutive phases so as to minimize the wasteful coke-dust generated and so as to limit the final maximum-water content in the produced coke. A high rate of water flow under controlled pressure head is used for a short period of time in the initial phase wherein coke-dust particles generated and rising in the water vapor cloud are washed down and prevented from entering the quenching hood; in a second and final stage, a low rate of water flow is maintained for a longer period of time wherein owing to the hot surface of coke having been already cooled in the first phase, coke-dust is not generated as much, and, the required limits for final water content can easily be maintained.

Abstract: A staff-location and signal system for mines, in which conventional radio telephone devices can be used for producing a radio telephone connection between an exchange and base stations or between the base stations and radio telephone equipment in the mine area. All underground employees, whether they carry radio telephones or not, can be reached by warning signals or staff-location signals sent via apparatus carried by the employees. To this end, the miner's lamps are associated with radio receivers which respond to cooled signals transmitted by the base station and thereupon actuate a switching device. The normally-closed working-current circuit of the lamp contains a switch which can be operated by the actuated switching device so that it switches the miner's lamp on and off. In this manner all miners can be raised when necessary by warning or staff-location signals in the form of flashes.

Abstract: A method is proposed for processing high-ash coal sludges by flotation of a slurry in the cells of flotation units, particularly for processing gas coal and open burning coal which are difficult to float, in which the coal slurry to be processed flows through the cells of the flotation unit pre-conditioned and controllably, particularly with control of the dwell time. In a preferred embodiment, the control of the dwell time occurs by a controlled distribution of the slurry to cells of the flotation unit which operate in parallel. For the purpose of controlling the dwell time of the slurry in a flotation unit, cells which are traversed in parallel are additionally connected or disconnected as a function of operating parameters, such as slurry density or solids content or solids distribution.

Abstract: The quality of coke is improved by measuring the width of a plastic zone of a given type of coal, comparing said measured zone with a predetermined zone width known to result in good quality coke, adjusting certain characteristics of said given coal prior to charging it into the coke oven to cause a change in said zone width of the coal that will ultimately result in improved coke quality. Typical adjusting steps include preheating the coal and/or the addition of coal binders, such as, various carbon and petro-based binding agents, for example, pitch.

Abstract: A self-sealing door assembly for a coke oven comprises a door frame affixed around the oven opening, the surfaces of the frame facing the oven defining a gap which is filled with heat insulating material, and the outer front surfaces of the frame cooperating with iron sealing strips on the body of the door. The gap filled with insulating material is defined between the vertical and transverse surfaces on the door frame facing the oven and an internal angle-sectioned cover divided around the periphery of the door frame into a plurality of overlapping sections which are supported on distance pieces attached to the surfaces of the door frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for servicing coke ovens has a framework movable along the coke oven battery. A horizontally rotatable and vertically pivotable boom has one end mounted on the gantry and a coke oven work tool on the other. The framework includes a coke quenching apparatus and conveying equipment.

Abstract: In a method for the liquefaction of coal which has chlorine-containing compounds therein, which method comprises the hydrogenation of the coal in the presence of a catalyst, the improvement which comprises neutralizing the compounds with an alkali metal hydrogen sulfide whereby H.sub.2 S is produced. In a preferred form of the invention, the H.sub.2 S is reacted with an alkali metal hydroxide to produce the alkali metal hydrogen sulfide which, in turn, is recycled into the hydrogenation step.

Abstract: Production of coke from coal is improved by mixing self-feeding coal with compacted non self-feeding coal prior to carrying out the coking process. Preferably, there is about 10% to about 60% by weight of the non self-feeding coal based on the total charge. Binders may be used and it is preferred that the non self-feeding coal be preheated to approximately 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. prior to mixing. In the event that an aqueous emulsion is used as the binder, the preheating step may be omitted. Coke of superior abrasion resistance is obtained by the foregoing method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor for gasifying coal including a vortex burner. Helical ribs are arranged in the inner combustion gas supplying conduit of the burner to impart a spiral trajectory to the gas and also the coal-water suspension which suspension is supplied in the annular space between the inner conduit and an outer concentric conduit. Means are provided for adjustably supporting the ribs inside the inner conduit. In addition, other rib supporting arrangements and also burner structure for supplying the coal-water slurry centrally are disclosed.

Abstract: Material removed from a longwall mining face is comminuted to obtain particles of predetermined size. A hydraulic fluid is circulated through the thusly obtained particles at a pick-up location so as to entrain and convey the particles from the pick-up location through a conduit to a separating location. At the separating location the hydraulic fluid is separated from the particles. The separated hydraulic fluid is recirculated from the separating location back to the pick-up location and into entraining contact with additional particles at the pick-up location.

Abstract: Pulses of monochromatic coherent sound waves are emitted at an underground test station into a coal seam from several closely juxtaposed sources to form a beam whose reflection at a discontinuity in the seam is detected by a group of receivers. The time lapse between the outgoing and incoming sound pulses is a measure of the distance of the seam boundary from the test station and, upon a controlled shifting of the phases of the outgoing and/or incoming beam components, can be displayed on an oscilloscope screen as a function of sweep angle in an azimuthal and/or an elevational plane.