Abstract: A process of producing a town-gas-grade fuel gas having a calorific value below 18,000 kJ/standard m.sup.3 (4,300 kcal/standard m.sup.3) by a catalytic reaction of methanol and water vapor under a pressure of 10 to 50 bars is disclosed wherein 80 to 95 percent of the mixed feedstock (methanol and water vapor) is fed in a water vapor to methanol weight ratio of 0.5 to 1.5 to a first reaction zone where it is maintained at a temperature of 300.degree. to 700.degree. C. in contact with a nickel catalyst containing 25 to 50 weight percent nickel, the remainder of the mixed feedstock being mixed with the effluent gas from the first reaction zone and together passed to a second reaction zone at a temperature of 200.degree. to 400.degree. C. and therein contacted with a copper catalyst containing 40 to 70 percent by weight copper.

Abstract: An arrangement for pressure gasification of fine-grain coal in which the exit of a reactor is followed by a waste heat boiler for cooling the generated gas. The waste heat boiler has a radiation section and downstream heat exchanger surfaces. The reactor is provided, furthermore, with cooling cubes which are studded and lined with refractory ramming mix. The radiant type heating surfaces are sized so that the gas temperature at the exit of the radiation section is situated below the ash sintering temperature of the coal being used. On gas sides, the radiation section is followed by a pressure vessel accommodating convection type heating surface banks which are swept by the generated gas. The radiation section may be in the form of two gas passages through which the gas flows successively. These gas passages are formed by the tube walls welded between each other in a gas-type manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a gas having a high heating value and a gasification furnace used for carrying out the process. The process of this invention is characterized in that a powdery coal is reacted with a hydrogen gas at a temperature of between 400.degree. and 900.degree. C. and a pressure of 20 and 100 Kg/cm.sup.2 in such a state that the powdery coal forms a layer on a dispersing plate from the surface of which the hydrogen gas is emitted and which is inclined so that the coal layer may move thereon in the down grade direction thereof. The gasification furnace of this invention is characterized by the provision of a housing 11 which defines therein a reaction chamber, and a dispersing plate 36 provided in the housing for dividing the housing into an upper space A and a lower space B and laterally inclined with a predetermined gradient.

Abstract: The hot raw synthesis gas stream leaving the reaction zone of a free flow partial oxidation gas generator at a temperature in the range of about 1800.degree. to 3000.degree. F. is passed through a first gas diversion and residue separation chamber where the velocity of the gas stream is reduced and its direction is diverted into a side transfer line. Solid material and molten slag separate by gravity from the gas stream. The hot gas stream is then introduced into second gas diversion and residue separation zone comprising at least one thermally insulated gas-solids impingement separation means were additional solid matter and slag is separated. For example, from about 2 to 8 thermally insulated gas-solids impingement separators may be employed which are connected in parallel and/or series. In one embodiment, about 0 to 20 vol. % of the hot gas stream may be passed through bottom outlets in said first and second gas diversion zones in order to prevent bridging.

Abstract: A method of producing H.sub.2 and C.sub.2 H.sub.2 gases comprises the steps of drying a hydrocarbon biomass material to remove water without carbonization, reacting the dried hydrocarbon biomass with a stoichiometric excess of molten lithium metal to produce lithium salts comprising LiH and Li.sub.2 C.sub.2 and then hydrolyzing the lithium salts to produce a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and C.sub.2 H.sub.2.

Abstract: The system comprises a flexible line provided with means for collecting products scattered at the water bottom by circulating the flexible line in contact with these products. On the rising portion of the path followed by the flexible line, the collecting means are passed through a tubular casing for simultaneously protecting the surrounding water against pollution from products released, while hoisting the products to the surface.

Abstract: Lead and carbon deposits are removed from the chambers and barrels of firearms by applying thereto a liquid composition having from 45 to 55 weight percent aluminum oxide, from 40 to 50 weight percent of a hydrocarbon oil boiling in the range of about 150 degrees to 350 degrees centigrade, from 3.5 to 4.5 weight percent of lemon oil, and from 0.5 to 1.5 weight percent of ammonium chloride. The liquid composition is impregnated onto a woven web, such as a cotton cloth.

Abstract: Structure for slag removal from a gasification generator. It employs a duct through the bottom that carries through it products of the combustion which is being carried out in the generator. The dimensions are such that the slag which adheres to the walls remains liquid and drips from the bottom edges. The duct is enlarged by at least one step with the length and width of it related to the upper portion of the duct so that the bottom edges of the step are above a diagonal of the upper portion extended.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for maximizing the uniformity of distribution of gasification medium in a rotary grid generator. To insure proper input, a distribution head is rotatably mounted within the interior of the rotary grid, and the distribution head is connected by means of elastic input conduits to either openings which are directly connected with the reactor chamber, or to distribution chambers in the individual segments of the rotary grid. Through use of the apparatus, the formation of canals through preferential gas flow in the solid beds of pressure gas generators is eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to the conversion of fuel (solid and/or liquid) to reducing and/or synthesis gas by contacting the fuel in a fluidized conversion bed (13) with a solid oxygen donor (e.g. CaSO.sub.4) at a fuel conversion temperature (e.g. 850.degree. to 1150.degree. C.) in the presence of at least one gas/vapor phase substance such as H.sub.2 and/or H.sub.2 O and/or CO and/or CO.sub.2 which serves to promote and or mediate the transfer of oxygen from the donor to the fuel and preferably in the absence of non-reactive gases (e.g. N.sub.2) whereby the fuel is converted to a reducing and/or synthesis gas product by (inter alia) partial oxidation employing the oxygen of the solid oxygen donor, the latter being reduced (e.g. CaS). The reduced donor is exothermically oxidized in a fluidized oxidation bed (35) by contact with an oxygen-containing gas (e.g. air) and re-used for converting further quantities of fuel. Moieties (e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting the conversion of solid fuels (including solid organic waste materials having a fuel valve) by high temperature gasification into clean-burning and uniform gaseous fuel called "producer gas." The apparatus comprises a two-section, stacked double-shell gasifier reactor defining sequentially descending, drying, distillation, oxidation and reduction reaction zones through which a continuously fed column of the solid fuel descends during its conversion to a gaseous fuel.

Abstract: The retort chamber for generating gas by applying hot steam to coal in a fluidized bed is heated by meandering tubes, dipping into the bed, and being suspended from long, hollow boxes which, in turn, are particularly suspended in the retort chamber. The boxes support also manifold tubes connected to the heating tubes and being further connected to a heating fluid feed and distribution as well as a collecting and discharge system.

Abstract: Product gas resulting from the partial oxidation of finely divided fuel in a reactor is discharged as a stream into a tube leading downwardly into a vessel containing a water bath in which the lower end of the tube is immersed. Liquid slag produced during the partial oxidation is also discharged as a solid stream within and surrounded by the stream of product gas. The tube is cooled by circulating cooling water upwardly through an annular clearance in the tube which is discharged from the annular clearance at the upper end of the tube for gravity descent as a liquid film along the inside of the tube. The slag becomes cooled and granulated on contact with the water bath and is discharged from the vessel in granulated condition. The gas escapes from the lower open tube end, travels upwardly through the water bath to become cooled thereby, and is then discharged from the vessel in cooled condition.

Abstract: An improved front-end loader apparatus for collecting particulate material on a roadway surface comprising a frame assembly drivingly supported on the roadway, a windrow formation assembly supported at the forward end of the frame assembly for brushing particulate material into a windrow, and a feeder assembly disposed to engage the windrowed material up and onto a roadway scraper blade supported at the forward end of the frame assembly. An elevator assembly is disposed to receive the particulate material from the feeder assembly and elevate the material to a rear overhead discharge position. A residual material cleaning assembly is supported beneath the frame assembly and rearward to the feeder assembly for cleaning up residual material not collected by the feeder assembly, the residual material cleaning assembly directing the residual material to the elevator assembly so that the residual material is elevated to the rear overhead discharge position.

Abstract: Method for cleaning generally cylindrical articles of irregular configuration and, particularly, for cleaning straps of the type used to hold magnetic tape and supplied by manufacturers for use with magnetic tapes. The method is performed by an apparatus which comprises exterior and interior nozzles resiliently mounted along the inside and outside of the cylinder, or ring, and form means to blow and suck dirt from the article being cleaned.

Abstract: A solar-powered fluidized bed gasification system for gasifying carbonaceous material. The system includes a solar gasifier (10) which is heated by fluidizing gas and steam. Energy to heat the gas and steam is supplied by a high heat capacity refractory honeycomb (16) which surrounds the fluid bed reactor zone (14). The high heat capacity refractory honeycomb (16) is heated by solar energy focused on the honeycomb (16) by solar concentrator (32) through solar window (20). The fluid bed reaction zone (14) is also heated directly and uniformly by thermal contact of the high heat capacity ceramic honeycomb (16) with the walls of the fluidized bed reactor (12).Provisions are also made for recovering and recycling catalysts used in the gasification process. Back-up furnace (50) is provided for start-up procedures and for supplying heat to the fluid bed reaction zone (14) when adequate supplies of solar energy are not available.

Abstract: Water is first introduced into a warewasher in a static fill, statically heated to an effective washing temperature, and then circulated and sprayed onto the food ware items to precondition them and the warewasher for effective soil removal.

Abstract: Sludge is composted by arranging the sludge in a pile over a conduit and air is forced into the pile in spaced time intervals and air is drawn from the pile into the conduit in alternate time intervals.The perforated conduits are adapted to be placed under and extend the length of two windrow compost piles. A reversible blower is connected to blow air to and withdraw air from each of the conduits. The blower is timed and controlled to blow air from a first pile through the conduits and into a second pile in spaced time intervals and in alternate time intervals to withdraw air from the second pile through the conduits and into the first pile.

Abstract: A sterilization system preferably utilizing two baths in which articles to be sterilized are immersed into a first bath where the articles are conditioned and then into a second bath containing a sterilizing solution where they are sterilized. The ingredients for the sterilization system are stored in hermetically sealed, multicompartment pouches which are opened just prior to use to release and activate the system. The sterilization system utilizes a solution comprising 0.02 to 1% of hypochlorite, 1.4 to 20% of di(alkali metal) phosphate, 0.08% to 21% mono(alkali metal) phosphate, and 0.1 to 0.5% of nonionic surfactant with the proviso that the lower limit of di(alkali metal) phosphate is 4% when the amount of said hypochlorite is from 0.5 to 1%, said percentages being based on weight (in grams) per 100 ml. of solution. The sterilizing solution is highly efficacious while being non-corrosive and having a reduced toxicity and prolonged shelf life, and may be utilized by relatively untrained personnel.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of formed edible products from moist edible pieces. Pneumatic suction draws the pieces into a mold or die cavity. A binder such as a gel solution is applied to the pieces in the cavity to cause adherence between the pieces. Thereafter contact with a chilled surface serves to attach the formed mass to the surface. The die is then withdrawn, leaving the form attached to the chilled surface. The preferred source material is onion pieces, with the method being carried out to produce onion rings. Also apparatus for carrying out the method and products resulting therefrom.