Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for removing contaminants, such as hydrocarbons, from soil. The process involves contacting the contaminated soil with a suitable solvent for the contaminant, in the presence of a bridging liquid which is immiscible with the solvent, while agitating. The amount of the bridging liquid and the degree of agitation are balanced to control the particle size of the substantially contaminant- and solvent-free soil agglomerates so formed.

Abstract: An improved process is described for agglomerating ground coal in which a bridging oil is used as the agglomerating vehicle. This bridging oil is a mixture of a heavy gas oil obtained from coal/oil coprocessing and a heavy hydrocarbon oil, such as bitumen or heavy oil, preferably mixed in the proportion of about 23-40% heavy hydrocarbon oil and 60-77% heavy gas oil. The agglomerated product is mixed with additional heavy oil or bitumen and it becomes the feedstock to a coal/oil coprocessor, with heavy gas oil being formed as one of the product streams. At least part of this heavy gas oil product stream is recycled to the agglomeration stage as the heavy gas oil component of the bridging oil. This agglomeration procedure has the advantage of providing an agglomerate of excellent quality, while carrying out the agglomeration in a short time at ambient temperature and using less than 10% by weight of bridging oil.

Abstract: Carbonaceous components are separated from particulate coal containing inorganic solids by agitating and aerating the coal, agglomerating oil and water to form agglomerates of carbonaceous components of the coal and oil with air trapped in the agglomerates. The air trapped in the agglomerates makes them buoyant so that they collect at the surface of the water, for easy removal, while inorganic residual solids collect at the bottom of the water. The inorganic solids containing coal comprise previously formed agglomerates which are broken down by the agitation to form a slurry. In the latter case the process is for removal of inorganic solids which were not removed during the initial agglomeration. The agitation may be accomplished by a stirrer, impeller or a pump.

Abstract: An improved process is described for agglomeration beneficiation of ground coal in which undiluted heavy oil or bitumen is used as the agglomerating vehicle. The ground cell, water and heavy oil or bitumen are mixed at an elevated temperature sufficient to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil or bitumen to a level permitting easy mixing and at an elevated pressure sufficiently high to prevent boiling of the water. This mixing causes agglomeration of the carbonaceous solids with the heavy oil or bitumen and the agglomerates obtained are separated from the tailings containing aqueous medium and inorganic solids. The separated agglomerates are preferably used with additional heavy oil or bitumen to form a slurry feedstock for a coprocessing unit. This provides a very efficient total process since the coal agglomeration beneficiation uses a portion of the same heavy oil or bitumen feedstock which is used for coprocessing and no additional hydrocarbon diluent is required.

Abstract: Low-rank or oxidized coal is processed to produce fuel of relatively higher calorific value by conditioning a slurry of the coal with an electrolyte, and then agglomerating the carbonaceous portion of the coal using a coal derived agglomerating oil. Agglomerates may be first formed in a high shear mixer and then larger agglomerates formed in a low speed mixer. The agglomerates may be processed in a coal liquefaction plant and a portion of the coal derived oil produced in the plant used as the agglomerating oil.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispersing particulate material in a liquid, for example, particulate coal and agglomerating oil in water, comprising an upwardly extending, cylindrical container for the flow of the coal, oil and water upwardly therethrough passed a lower, flat blade type turbine rotor, an intermediate knife blade type turbine rotor and an upper pitched blade type turbine rotor. An annular shaped portion is around the intermediate rotor and houses the intermediate rotor in a cylindrical duct, longitudinally extending baffles extend upwardly along the container inner surface and are spaced therefrom. The lower rotor causes radially outward flow of the coal-water-oil mixture, the intermediate rotor causes fine break down and homogenization of the coal-water-oil mixture, while the pitched blade type turbine rotor causes reverse flow of the homogenized coal-water-oil mixture producing seed agglomerates of carbonaceous coal particles and oil leaving any ash particles dispersed in the water.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage medium comprising Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2 O and Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4.12H.sub.2 O. This material provides advantages over Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2 O alone such as constancy of heat delivery temperature and energy output, improved reversibility, and greater usable volumetric storage capacity after repeated cycling.

Abstract: An in-line method for the beneficiation of coal and the formation of a coal-in-oil combustible fuel wherein the coal is wet pulverized, micro-agglomerated with light oil to dissociate a large amount of inorganic impurities and some water, agglomerated with heavy oil to form relatively larger agglomerates and dissociate mainly water with some inorganic impurities, and then mixed with further heavy oil to form the coal-in-oil combustible fuel.

Abstract: A coke oven system is provided having a coke oven preferably with pipeline charging for converting coal into coke. Carryover fines are collected from the coke oven and preferably a preheater therefor, and then agitated by agitator means and the collected carryover fines thereby agglomerated. Preferably, the carryover fines are first mixed with water to form an aqueous mixture, and then agglomerated. The agglomerated carryover fines are then preferably separated from the aqueous mixture by separated means. The agglomerated carryover fines are preferably conditioned in dryer means and recirculated to the coke oven preferably through a preheater.

Abstract: A coke oven system is provided having a coke oven preferably with pipeline charging for converting coal into coke. Carryover fines are collected from the coke oven and preferably a preheater therefor, and then agitated by agitator means and the collected carryover fines thereby agglomerated. Preferably, the carryover fines are first mixed with water to form an aqueous mixture, and then agglomerated. The agglomerated carryover fines are then preferably separated from the aqueous mixture by separated means. The agglomerated carryover fines are preferably conditioned in dryer means and recirculated to the coke oven preferably through a preheater.