Abstract: A process and apparatus for gasification of carbonaceous matter, preferably coal, is disclosed. A stream of previously produced char, preferably produced from coal, or other fuel together with an oxidizer and steam is introduced into a first or combustion stage. The combustion gas produced by the combustion passes into a second or gasification stage and through a nozzle at at least sonic velocity. Pulverized carbonaceous matter, preferably coal, is introduced and dispersed in the combustion gas in the gasification stage. The temperature, velocity and velocity changes principally of the gas in the gasification stage are controlled to provide a heating rate for the particles of pulverized carbonaceous matter of at least about 10.sup.5 degrees Kelvin per second, and to effect rapid removal of volatile components from the immediate vicinity of the particles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gasification of carbonaceous matter, preferably coal, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a stream of previously produced char, preferably produced from coal or other fuel, together with an oxidizer and steam is introduced into a combustion stage. The combustion gas produced by the combustion passes into a mixing zone and thence with high turbulence into a gasification zone or stage at subsonic velocity. Pulverized carbonaceous matter, preferably coal, is introduced and dispersed in the combustion gas in the mixing zone. The temperature, velocity and velocity changes principally of the gas in the gasification zone or stage are controlled to provide a heating rate for the particles of pulverized carbonaceous matter of at least about 10.sup.5 degrees Kelvin per second, and to effect rapid removal of volatile components from the immediate vicinity of the particles.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for non-equilibrium chemical kinetic separation of deuterium from hydrogen are described wherein hydrogen with its normal abundance of deuterium and an appropriate reactant, bromine, are supplied to a deuterium reaction vessel wherein they are vibrationally excited by, for example, being exposed to a volumetrically scalable ionizing-sustainer electrical discharge effective to provide vibrational excitation of the H.sub.2 and HD following which selective intermolecular vibration-vibration energy pumping occurs giving conditions effective to produce an HBr/DBr product mixture. The ionizing-sustainer discharge is effective to generate vibrational excitation from which follows chemical reactions that produce DBr and HBr at such relative rates that the mixture is enhanced in deuterium content relative to said content of the entering hydrogen stream. For the production of heavy water, the DBr and HBr are then dissolved in water.