Abstract: Graphics such as isometric engineering drawings needed for piping fabrication and installation in the construction of an industrial plant are generated by building a physical miniaturized design model of the plant, applying visually exposed indicia to separate segments on the model with this indicia for each segment being identifiably descriptive of the distinguishing characteristics of such segment as it is to exist in the final industrial plant after its construction, and optically scanning the exposed indicia on the design model to thereby collectively record the scanned information on an electronic storage memory. The recorded information is then integrated by utilizing a general purpose computer with a compatible computer program and the combined result is supplied as electronic plotting signals to a graphics plotter to produce the graphics for use thereafter in construction of the full size industrial plant.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the conversion of solid cellulosic biomass materials or lignite to oil. A solids-oil slurry is contacted in a reactor with carbon monoxide and water vapor in the presence of an alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonate, bicarbonate or formate catalyst at a temperature of from about 250.degree. C. and to about 450.degree. C. at a pressure of from about 2000 psig to about 5000 psig. The gases from the reactor and oil hydrocarbon fuel, preferably a recycled heavy fraction of product oil containing spent catalyst, are burned at a pressure above the reactor pressure with oxygen to provide a carbon monoxide-water vapor gas having a temperature of from about 1100.degree.C. to about 1600.degree. C. Said gas is introduced under the surface of the oil slurry in the reactor to provide heat, carbon monoxide, water vapor, and, desirably, regenerated catalyst to said reactor.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a multiple hearth furnace over a diverse range of operating conditions at a minimum level of energy consumption. Relatively low temperature gases are controllably recirculated from the drying zone to the combustion zone of the furnace, and/or gases are controllably discharged from the combustion zone and/or drying zone to regulate drying zone temperature, combustion zone temperature and the quantity of excess air required to provide optimum furnace operating conditions. The system is particularly useful for controlling the incineration in a multiple hearth furnace of sludge from waste water treatment plants.