Abstract: An apparatus for treating liquid or slurry having a heat treating zone through which is provided counter current flow of heated gas and independently moveable bodies through the heat treating zone in contact with a feed stream. A steam reforming detoxification reactor is also provided and gas is circulated from the heat treating zone gas outlet, through the reactor and to the heat treating zone gas inlet.

Abstract: A method and system for detoxify hazardous waste is described. The waste is mechanically particularized to a predetermined particle size and is then subjected to a gas flow having a temperature between 250.degree. C. and 750.degree. C. At the same time, the particularized waste is agitated to enhance its exposure to the gals flow, resulting in gasification of a substantial portion of the solid waste. The remaining particularized waste residue is collected for recycling of further disposal. After passing through the agitated particularized waste, the gas flow is circulated to a thermolytic detoxification reactor and then recirculated to the agitated particularized waste.

Abstract: A high temperature fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger is described wherein heat is transferred from a higher temperature fluid flow core region to a lower temperature fluid flow annulus. The wall separating the high and low temperature fluid flow regions is comprised of a material having high thermal absorptivity, conductivity and emissivity to provide a high rate of heat transfer between the two regions. A porous ceramic foam material occupies a substantial portion of the annular lower temperature fluid flow region, and is positioned to receive radiated heat from the wall. The porosity of the ceramic foam material is sufficient to permit a predetermined relatively unrestricted flow rate of fluid through the lower temperature fluid flow region.

Abstract: A method is described to reactivating contaminated particulate adsorbent material. A gas stream is passed through the adsorbent material. The gas stream comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide and steam, and is substantially free of unbound oxygen. The temperature and flow rate of the gas stream is selected to volatilize organic compounds adsorbed by the adsorbent material. Thereafter, the gas stream is reacted with steam at a temperature of at least 700.degree. F. The steam with which the gas stream is reacted is in excess of the stoichiometric amount required to react with substantially all of the organic compounds in the gas stream. Thereafter the gas stream is circulated back to the adsorbent material for further passing therethrough. The cycle is continued until the level of contamination of the adsorbent material is below a predetermined level.