Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of viscous mixtures, comprising charging the mixture with solvent to form a dispersion before extraction to improve the extraction over a simple solvent extraction. The mixture to be treated is charged with solvent before the extraction and is then sprayed into the extraction column where it is dispersed. This treatment provides extraction of highly viscous, pasty materials. The charging with solvent can take place until the mixture is saturated with the solvent, and favorable temperature and pressure conditions for charging may be provided in a charging column that is separate from the extraction column.

Abstract: A process for recovering petroleum from deposits which have already been worked by primary extraction or are not suited for primary extraction. A gas in its supercritical state is introduced into the deposit. The supercritical gas charges itself with the petroleum while flowing through the deposit. The charged supercritical gas leaves the deposit and the petroleum is separated in a plurality of fractions from the charged supercritical gas.

Abstract: A method for processing a used oil which comprises about 70 percent by weight spindle and neutral oils, about 5 percent by weight lower and higher boiling point oils, about 10 percent by weight useful additives and oxidation products, about 10 percent by weight water, about 5 percent by weight difficultly volatile and nonvolatile hydrocarbons, and solid impurities, comprising: (a) dewatering the used oil; (b) contacting the dewatered used oil with a gas in a supercritical state, at a temperature above the critical temperature and at a pressure from its critical pressure up to about 350 bar to form (1) a gaseous extraction phase containing the spindle and neutral oils and the additives, the spindle and neutral oils and substantially all the additives being extracted into the gaseous extraction phase during the contact with the supercritical gas and (2) an extraction residue; (c) separating the gaseous extraction phase from the extraction residue; and (d) separating the extracted spindle and neutral oils and th

Abstract: A process for producing liquid hydrocarbons from coal comprises treating comminuted coal at 380.degree. to 600.degree. C. and 260 to 450 bar with water in a high pressure reactor to form a charged supercritical gas phase and a coal residue. Simultaneously with the water treatment, hydrogenation with hydrogen takes place in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of NaOH, KOH, Na.sub.4 SiO.sub.4, NaBO.sub.4, or KOB.sub.2. Then, the gas phase is divided into several fractions by lowering its pressure and temperature. Energy and/or gas is generated from the coal residue.

Abstract: Method for the underground gasification of solid fuels in which an underground fuel deposit is initially opened up and then converted into a gaseous fuel by means of a gasification medium. The opening of the fuel deposit is effected by treatment with a gas which is in the supercritical state, which takes on the volatile organic substances of the solid fuel and the water contained in the solid fuel. The dissolved organic compounds and the water are separated from the charged supercritical gas phase above ground in at least two fractions by pressure reduction and/or a change in temperature.

Abstract: A method of performing a treatment of a dust cloud includes the successive steps of generating the dust cloud from a gas and from solid particles, passing the dust cloud through a reaction zone, separating the dust cloud into its components in a separator, and reintroducing at least one part of at least one component into the dust cloud. There is further formed a solids column into which fresh or recirculated solid particles are introduced. The solids column which seals the gas used for generating the dust cloud from the separator, is height-adjustable for controlling the concentration of solids in the dust cloud formed from the solid particles constituting the solids column.