Abstract: A process for making a slow release high nitrogen fertilizer comprising mixing agricultural products, a surfactant and urea at elevated temperature and then pelletizing the fertilizer. Fertilizers made by the above process.

Abstract: The invention includes probiotic soil additive compositions including pulverized alfalfa, a wetting agent, granular humate ore, and a calcium source for promoting healthy plant growth without pesticides. Methods are disclosed for applying the additive, and optimizing application to maintain a preferred ratio of bacterial to fungal biomass or mycorrhizal coverage of the roots to promote disease resistant plant growth. A method is disclosed for applying the composition to promote deterioration of thatch when grass is grown. When applied to grass turf the invention imparts resistance to common grass turf diseases.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the catalytic activity of an alcohol synthesis catalyst. In this method, the catalyst, after activation by exposure to a reducing atmosphere, is improved by contacting with a carbon dioxide-containing gas to convert the zinc oxide in the catalyst to zinc carbonate. This improvement step occurs in situ preferably in the same reactor as used for the synthesizing of the alcohol.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating soil contaminated with oils, tars and light hydrocarbons. A slurry is formed with coal, water and the contaminated soil and agitated at elevated temperature, resulting in the transfer of the oil from the soil to the coal. The coal and soil mixture is then dewatered for disposal by burning or burial in a landfill.

Abstract: A process is provided whereby syngas is converted to gasoline via a liquid-phase process producing dimethyl ether as an intermediate.

Abstract: A process is provided for regenerating aged copper-containing coprecipitated methanol synthesis catalyst. The process includes treating the aged catalyst in an oxidizing atmosphere according to a specified time-temperature ramp, then in a reducing atmosphere. The oxidation-reduction cycle may be repeated as needed. An advantage of the invention is that the catalyst may be regenerated in situ in the same vessel in which the catalyst is utilized to make alcohol.

Abstract: Hydrocarbonaceous material is contacted with particulate coal to cause said coal to sorb a substantial portion of the basic nitrogen compounds contained in said hydrocarbonaceous material.

Abstract: A process for liquefying coal utilizing an indigenously derived solvent enriched in basic nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. Particulate coal is slurried with an aromatic hydrocarbon distillate start-up solvent. The slurry is reacted under predetermined conditions in a liquefaction reactor to form distillable and substantially nondistillable coal products. The distillables are removed and the nondistillable coal products are fractionated to produce a fraction enriched in basic nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. A portion of this fraction is recycled together with the distillable solvent to the coal liquefaction reactor. The blended solvent is slurried with coal and upon treatment in the liquefaction reactor converts the coal to distillate and soluble coal products in a higher yield than possible in a process not employing a solvent enriched in basic nitrogen heterocyclic compounds.

Abstract: A coal conversion process which produces an increased yield of distillable products through an efficient use of hydrogen. Coal is contacted with a liquefaction solvent comprised of a process derived light phase residuum and a process derived distillate under liquefaction conditions to form a coal conversion product effluent. The effluent is admixed with a process derived hydrogenation residuum to supply hydrogen-donors and to cool and stabilize the effluent against regressive reactions. Distillables boiling below about 1000.degree. F. then are separated from the combined stream. A portion of the distillables can be recycled for use as solvent or hydrogenated and then recycled. The remaining residuum is admixed with a deashing solvent and thereafter deashed and fractionated under elevated temperature and pressure conditions. The residuum is separated to form a light phase residuum which is recycled for use as solvent and a heavy phase residuum suitable for further up grading.