Abstract: Any desired number of alternate parallel rows of injection and production well bores are positioned to establish a block gasification pattern. Combustion links are established between adjacent injection and production well bores in a direction generally perpendicular to said rows. The block pattern is ignited simultaneously through all of the injection well bores such that the pattern is gasified along the multiple linking paths in both directions between each injection well bore and its adjacent production well bores. In this manner the entire area of deposit defined by the block pattern is gasified simultaneously and may be separated from other similar block patterns by a barrier, thereby eliminating the problem of direct contact with burned-out areas.

Abstract: A row of injection wells is widely separated from a parallel row of production wells by a plurality of rows of intermediate uncased column wells by means of which combustion links are established between the respective injection and production wells perpendicular to such rows. The pattern is ignited through a row of intermediate wells in order to prevent combustion from occurring directly beneath the injection wells. Means are also provided for shutting down the operation before the burn front reaches the production wells. In this manner, the danger of subsidence at both injection and production wells during operations is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An improved method for producing coal agglomerates from an aqueous feed slurry containing finely divided coal and finely divided inorganic solids, the method consisting essentially of mixing a quantity of oil equal to from about 25 to about 75 percent of the oil required to produce the coal agglomerates with the aqueous slurry; thereafter mixing a quantity of an aqueous solution of a suitable polymeric material in an amount sufficient to agglomerate the finely divided coal with the aqueous slurry; and recovering the coal agglomerates.

Abstract: Mined, crushed, dried coal particles are sprayed with a special deactivating oil to reduce the tendency of the dried coal to spontaneously ignite. The special oil is a virgin vacuum reduced crude with a 5% point above 900.degree. F., a characterization factor of 10.8 or greater, and a minimum flash point of 400.degree. F.

Abstract: An apparatus for partially oxidizing dried low rank coal, the apparatus comprising a vessel in which the coal is supported and contacted with a free-oxygen-containing gas. A method for partially oxidizing the coal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a dried coal fuel having a reduced tendency to spontaneously ignite from a low rank coal by drying the low rank coal and thereafter cooling the dried coal to a temperature below about 100.degree. F. Optionally the dried coal is partially oxidized prior to cooling, and optionally the dried coal is mixed with a deactivating fluid.

Abstract: A method for reducing the nitrogen content of a feed stream derived from oil shale and/or coal comprising hydrodenitrogenating the feed stream, subjecting the hydrodenitrogenated feed stream to first flashing conditions to remove hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia, dehydrogenating the remainder of the feed stream, and subjecting the dehydrogenated feed stream to second flashing conditions to separate hydrogen from the process product.

Abstract: A method for processing shale oil to remove both nitrogen and impurities such as arsenic and/or selenium while minimizing such removal costs which comprises fractionating the shale oil feet to form a first naphtha cut which essentially boils at or below 350.degree. F and a gas oil cut which essentially boils above 350.degree. F, hydrotreating the first naphtha cut, separately removing a substantial amount of said impurity from the gas oil cut and then hydrotreating the gas oil cut. Thereafter the hydrotreated gas oil cut is fractionated to form a second naphtha cut which essentially boils above 380.degree. F and at or below 450.degree. F and has a high nitrogen content, and hydrotreating the second naphtha cut to reduce the nitrogen content.

Abstract: A method of removing a contaminant, such as arsenic or selenium, from a synthetic hydrocarbonaceous fluid characterized by contacting the hydrocarbonaceous fluid with a plurality of particles of a specially treated contaminant-removing material that will remove the contaminant, under a reducing atmosphere, such as hydrogen, at an elevated temperature. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the contaminant-removing material, which preferably comprises a high surface area carrier material having one or both of a high pore volume of at least 0.8 cubic centimeters per gram with a major portion of the pore volume having a mean effective pore radius greater than 100 Angstroms (.degree. A) and feeder pores having radii greater than 1,000.degree. A for fluid flow therethrough, and carrying a contaminant-removing (active) material at least adjacent the pores.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one impurity selected from the group consisting of arsenic and selenium from a synthetic crude oil or a fraction thereof by employing iron or cobalt, nickel, oxides in a coprecipitated solid matrix with aluminum oxide, in a hydrogen atmosphere, at a temperature of at least 300.degree. F, and in the substantial absence of water, whereby at least one of the arsenic and selenium is removed by way of iron or cobalt, oxide, or sulfide. Also disclosed is a method of preparation and use of a particularly preferred structural matrix in accordance with one embodiment of this invention.