Abstract: A process of producing a combustible gas from a solid sulfur-containing carbonaceous fuel is provided. In the process, an aqueous solution is provided. A solute of the solution is a carbonate salt of an alkali metal. Particles of the fuel and the aqueous solution are mixed (26) to form a mixture. The mixture is fed into a gasifier (22) that contains molten salts of the alkali metal. The fuel is partially combusted in the gasifier to produce the combustible gas. At least a portion of the carbonate salt in the aqueous solution may be recovered (24) from a molten sulfide salt. The molten sulfide salt may be taken from the molten salts in the gasifier (22).

Abstract: A process of producing a combustible gas from a solid sulfur-containing carbonaceous fuel is provided. In the process, an aqueous solution is provided. A solute of the solution is a carbonate salt of an alkali metal. Particles of the fuel and the aqueous solution are mixed (26) to form a mixture. The mixture is fed into a gasifier (22) that contains molten salts of the alkali metal. The fuel is partially combusted in the gasifier to produce the combustible gas. At least a portion of the carbonate salt in the aqueous solution may be recovered (24) from a molten sulfide salt. The molten sulfide salt may be taken from the molten salts in the gasifier (22).

Abstract: Aqueous black liquor is gasified in a molten salt by spraying the black liquor into an enclosed zone above the surface of a turbulent molten salt pool. The black liquor is dried by means of hot gases rising from the surface of the pool and the resulting solid particles falling into the turbulent molten salt pool are dispersed and converted into a combustible gas and a reduced melt in which sulfide comprises at least about 95% of the total sulfur present. In a preferred embodiment the product gas is purified, burned and utilized in a gas turbine.

Abstract: A process for recovering the energy and chemical content of an aqueous black liquor utilizing a reactor containing a drying zone located above a gasification zone. The reactor contains a bed of porous solid carbonaceous material in the gasification zone. Heat losses are restricted, preferably from both zones, by the provision of a layer of insulating material about the reactor. An oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the gasification zone in an amount less than about 60% of that required for complete combustion of the black liquor such that there is produced partial combustion and gasification reactions sufficient to maintain the temperature at an upper surface of the bed in the range of from about 870.degree. to 1200.degree. C. and to form a hot combustible gas which rises from the gasification zone.

Abstract: An improvement in a chemical recovery process in which a hot liquid smelt is introduced into a dissolving tank containing a pool of green liquor. The improvement comprises preventing smelt explosions in the dissolving tank by maintaining a first selected superatmospheric pressure in the tank during normal operation of the furnace; sensing the pressure in the tank; and further impinging a high velocity stream of steam upon the stream of smelt whenever the pressure in the tank decreases below a second selected superatmospheric pressure which is lower than said first pressure.

Abstract: A concentrated aqueous black liquor containing carbonaceous material and alkali metal sulfur compounds is treated in a gasifier vessel containing a relatively shallow molten salt pool at its bottom to form a combustible gas and a sulfide-rich melt. The gasifier vessel, which is preferably pressurized, has a black liquor drying zone at its upper part, a black liquor solids gasification zone located below the drying zone, and a molten salt sulfur reduction zone which comprises the molten salt pool. A first portion of an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the gas space in the gasification zone immediatley above the molten salt pool. The remainder of the oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the molten salt pool in an amount sufficient to cause gasification of carbonaceous material entering the pool from the gasification zone but not sufficient to create oxidizing conditions in the pool.

Abstract: A process for the removal of sulfur oxides from two gas streams containing the same. One gas stream is introduced into a spray dryer zone and contacted with a finely dispersed spray of an aqueous medium containing an absorbent for sulfur oxides. The aqueous medium is introduced at a controlled rate so as to provide water to the gas in an amount to produce a cooled product gas having a temperature at least 7.degree. C. above its adiabatic saturation temperature and from about 125-300% of the stoichiometric amount of absorbent required to react with the sulfur oxides to be removed from the gas stream. The effluent from the spray dryer zone comprises a gas stream of reduced sulfur oxide content and contains entrained dry particulate reaction products including unreacted absorbent. This gas stream is then introduced into a particulate removal zone from which is withdrawn a gas stream substantially free of particles and having a reduced sulfur oxide content.

Abstract: An organic waste containing halogen is destroyed by treatment in a molten salt pool comprising a mixture of a basic alkaline earth metal compound with an alkaline earth metal halide. An oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the pool containing the waste to produce a gaseous combustion product and to cause the halogen present in the waste to react with the basic alkaline earth metal compound to produce additional alkaline earth metal halide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for upgrading a hydrocarbon material in the presence of a molten salt in a manner which reduces the requirements for expensive ceramic materials to withstand the corrosive nature of the salt. A molten salt containing carbon is introduced into a heat generation zone which is located in a lower portion of an upwardly extending elongated reactor. Oxygen is introduced into the heat generation zone in an amount sufficient to react with substantially all of the carbon and to heat the molten salt to a desired temperature. The heated molten salt together with the gaseous reaction products of the carbon-oxygen reaction flows upwardly through the reactor to a hydrocarbon material reaction zone which is located within the reactor and above the heat generation zone. The hydrocarbon material to be treated is introduced into the reaction zone and into the molten salt where it produces gaseous reaction products and unreacted carbon entrained in the flowing molten salt.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide is converted to elemental surfur by reduction with a carbonaceous material in a reaction zone containing a molten salt. Heat is provided by reacting a portion of the carbonaceous material with oxygen. In a preferred embodiment alkali metal sulfates present in the molten salt are reduced to alkali metal sulfides.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for removing particulate contaminants from a gaseous stream. Broadly, the apparatus comprises a housing containing a substantially vertical granular material retention member having upstream and downstream faces, a substantially vertical microporous gas filter element, said member and element being spaced apart to provide a zone for the passage of granular material therethrough. The housing further comprises a gas inlet means, a gas outlet means and means for moving a body of granular material through said zone. In operation, a gaseous stream containing particulate contaminants passes through the gas inlet means and upstream face of the granular material retention member, passing through said member, said body of granular material, the microporous gas filter element and then out the gas outlet means. The particulates carried in the gaseous stream pass into the granular material and are retained in the body of granular material and upon the upstream face of the gas filter element.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur oxides from a hot gas by sequential absorption of the sulfur oxides in two zones. In each zone the hot gas is contacted with an aqueous scrubbing medium which may be a solution or slurry containing an absorbent for the sulfur oxides. The absorbent is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates and mixtures thereof. The preferred absorbent is sodium carbonate. The aqueous solution is introduced into the first zone in an amount to produce (1) a dry powder reaction product containing alkali metal sulfites, and sulfates, substantially free of unreacted absorbent and (2) a substantially water-unsaturated gaseous reaction product of reduced sulfur oxide content.

Abstract: A method of removing and preferably recovering sulfur values from an alkali metal sulfide and carbonate mixture comprising the steps of (1) introducing the mixture in an aqueous medium into a first carbonation zone and reacting the mixture with a gas containing a major amount of CO.sub.2 and a minor amount of H.sub.2 S; (2) introducing the resultant product from step 1 into a stripping zone maintained at subatmospheric pressure, and contacting this product with steam to produce a gaseous mixture, comprising H.sub.2 S and water vapor, and a liquor of reduced sulfide content; (3) introducing the liquor of reduced sulfide content into a second carbonation zone, and reacting the liquor with substantially pure gaseous CO.sub.2 in an amount sufficient to precipitate bicarbonate crystals and produce an offgas containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.

Abstract: A multi-stage flash, direct contact condensation method and apparatus for purifying brine is disclosed which eliminates costly apparatus previously required while maintaining adequate volume to efficiently produce potable water by use of gravity fed sprays of condensate upon which previously flashed steam is allowed to condense.