Abstract: A pollution arrestor removes various pollutants, such as soot, NO.sub.x, CO and hydrocarbons, from a gas stream. The pollution arrestor is composed in layers starting with a particulate filter to remove soot followed by various catalytic sections enhanced by radiofrequency microwave energy. The leaving gas is substantially reduced in pollution.

Abstract: A thermal process co-recycles tires with oils to produce gases, liquids and solids. The latter consisting of glass and steel fibers and a carbonous residue which are separately segregated and collected. By using selected additives gas formation and hydrogen sulfide contents are reduced, light product oil yields and quality are maximized and the level of chlorinated substances in the oils are reduced to trace amounts. The carbonous residue makes an excellent modifier for improving performance properties of bituminous binders and bituminous mixtures and for providing added benefits to properties of Portland concrete.

Abstract: The invention utilizes microwave catalysis to catalyze desirable liquid chemical reactions between constituents flowing as a thin film within a microwave energy waveguide. Chemical reactions enhanced by this process include the concentration of phosphoric acid by removal of bound water and the release of carbon dioxide from pregnant solutions of monoethanolamine.

Abstract: A thermal process co-recycles tires with oils to produce gases, liquids and solids. The letter consisting of glass and steel fibers and a carbonous residue which are separately segregated and collected. By using selected additives gas formation and hydrogen sulfide contents are reduced, light product oil yields and quality are maximized and the level of chlorinated substances in the oils are reduced to trace amounts. The carbonous residue makes an excellent modifier for improving performance properties of bituminous binders and bituminous mixtures and for providing added benefits to properties of Portland concrete.

Abstract: This process and reactor for char-gas oxide reactions utilizes radiofrequency catalysis to enhance desirable chemical reactions between carbon and such gas oxides. Removal of selected oxide constituents from a gas stream is a typical application.

Abstract: This process and reactor for char-gas oxide reactions utilizes radiofrequency catalysis to enhance desirable chemical reactions between carbon and such gas oxides. Removal of selected oxide constituents from a gas stream is a typical application.

Abstract: This process for oxide reactions by radiofrequency--char catalysis utilizes the unique chemical reactivity of an RF-energized char surface to enhance desirable chemical reactions involving oxides. Decomposition of selected oxide constituents from a gas stream is a typical application.

Abstract: This process to remove gas oxides from flue gas utilizes adsorption on a char bed subsequently followed by radiofrequency catalysis enhancing such removal through selected reactions. Common gas oxides include SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing hydrogen and carbon black from hydrocarbon gases comprising mixing the hydrocarbon gases with a source of carbon and applying radiofrequency energy to the mixture. The hydrocarbon gases and the carbon can both be the products of gasification of coal, particularly the mild gasification of coal. A method is also provided for producing hydrogen an carbon monoxide by treating a mixture of hydrocarbon gases and steam with radio-frequency energy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the pyrolysis of coal which comprises the effective utilization of two zonal inclined fluidized beds, where said zones can be selectively controlled as to temperature and heating rate. The first zonal inclined fluidized bed serves as a dryer for crushed coal and additionally is controlled to selectively pyrolyze said coal producing substantially carbon dioxide for recycle use. The second zonal inclined fluidized bed further pyrolyzes the coal to gaseous, liquid and char products under controlled temperature and heating rate zones designed to economically integrate the product mix. The gas and liquid products are recovered from the gaseous effluent stream while the char which remains can be further treated or utilized in a subsequent process step.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing hydrogen and carbon black from hydrocarbon gases comprising mixing the hydrocarbon gases with a source of carbon and applying radio-frequency energy to the mixture. The hydrocarbon gases and the carbon can both be the products of gasification of coal, particularly the mild gasification of coal. A method is also provided for producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by treating a mixture of hydrocarbon gases and water with radio-frequency energy.

Abstract: Coal is processed in an inclined fluidized bed dryer operated in a plug-flow manner with zonal temperature and composition control, and an inert fluidizing gas, such as carbon dioxide or combustion gas. Recycled carbon dioxide, which is used for drying, pyrolysis, quenching, and cooling, is produced by partial decarboxylation of the coal. The coal is heated sufficiently to mobilize coal tar by further pyrolysis, which seals micropores upon quenching. Further cooling with carbon dioxide enhances stabilization.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing heavy metal compounds from heavy crude oil by mixing the heavy crude oil with tar sand; preheating the mixture to a temperature of about 650.degree. F.; heating said mixture to up to 800.degree. F.; and separating tar sand from the light oils formed during said heating. The heavy metals removed from the heavy oils can be recovered from the spent sand for other uses.

Abstract: A two step retorting process for pyrolyzing a solid feed selected from the group consisting of oil shale, tar sand, waste motor oil, and scrap tires to recover valuable products therefrom comprising retorting a mixture of the solid feed in heavy oil at a relatively low temperature, recycling the oil formed back to the first step, and completing the pyrolysis of the residue formed at a higher temperature in the absence of product oil recycling. Apparatus is provided including a means for feeding and soaking the solid feed, a HSPR, an IFBC, and means for handling product liquid and gas.

Abstract: A subterranean formation containing oil shale is prepared for in situ retorting by forming a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale in an in situ retort site. The retort is formed by excavating a lower level drift adjacent a lower portion of the retort site and excavating an upper level void adjacent an upper portion of the retort site. An undercut is excavated below a zone of unfragmented formation remaining within the retort site above the lower level drift. The undercut can be free of roof-supporting pillars. Explosive is loaded in the zone of formation from access provided by the upper void, and the zone of formation is blasted downwardly toward the undercut for forming the fragmented mass. The volume of the void space within the undercut prior to explosive expansion is similar to the void volume within the principal portion of the fragmented mass being formed.

Abstract: Following the conventional mining of rich oil shale for conventional above ground retorting, by horizontally extensive room and pillar mining operations, additional shale oil and related product may be secondarily recovered from the oil shale formation by in-situ retort formation and combustion. The secondary recovery steps would involve initially the identification of a large horizontally extending area, normally located between barrier pillars, which may be blocked off for the in-situ retort. Suitable shale oil drain arrangements may then be provided along one lower edge of this in-situ retorting area. Along the opposite lower edge of the in-situ retorting area, conduits may be provided for withdrawing product gas from the retort area. The retort area may then be sealed, and rubblized by blasting the pillars and caving in the roof to provide the appropriate 15% to 30% void volume for in-situ retorting.

Abstract: A portion of crude shale oil produced from an in situ oil shale retort is blended with shale oil produced from a Tosco II retorting process to produce a blended shale oil composition having a pour point lower than the pour point of the shale oil produced from the Tosco II retorting process.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process of pyrolysis of shale capable of producing hydrocarbons. It comprises associating at least two retorts and causing their respective operational phases to be so coordinated as to achieve simultaneous pyrolysis of said materials in one of said retorts and treatment of the hot residues subsequent to an earlier pyrolysis in another of said retorts, said treatment comprising the discharging of the residues, the admission or supply into said other retort of crude or raw material as well as the recovery of the heat contained in the pyrolysis residues by means of a circulation therethrough of an oxidant gas, preferably air, and of initially pulverized or atomized water, the resulting mixture of oxidant gas and steam being then supplied into a retort in which a phase of pyrolysis is being run to assist the combustion of the carbonaceous residues formed as a result of the pyrolysis of the load of materials treated or pyrolyzed therein.

Abstract: A generally flat combustion zone is formed across the entire horizontal cross-section of a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles formed in an in situ oil shale retort. The flat combustion zone is formed by either sequentially igniting regions of the surface of the fragmented permeable mass at successively lower elevations or by igniting the entire surface of the fragmented permeable mass and controlling the rate of advance of various portions of the combustion zone.

Abstract: An in situ oil shale retort is formed in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The retort contains a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale which is ignited by introducing fuel and air through a passage leading to the fragmented mass. The amount of air provided is in the range of from about 1/3 more than the amount of air required to stoichiometrically combine with the fuel to about twice the amount of air required to stoichiometrically combine with the fuel. The fuel/air mixture is ignited and hot combustion gases pass downwardly into the fragmented mass. The hot combustion gases heat oil shale particles above the self-ignition temperature of such particles, thereby forming a primary combustion zone in the fragmented mass. Introduction of fuel is discontinued when the concentration of oxygen in off gas from the retort decreases to below a first selected value.