Abstract: A method and apparatus for desulfurizing coal is provided. The method involves combining non-pulverized sulfur containing coal with an adsorbent material, such as aluminum oxide, in a vessel, irradiating the coal/adsorbent combination with microwave energy sufficient to subject the coal/adsorbent combination to a temperature of between about 250.degree. F. and about 650.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to cause the release of sulfur from the coal as a gas. A magnetic field may be provided around the vessel to concentrate the microwave energy being introduced into the vessel within the vicinity of the magnetic field to enhance the release of the sulfur from the coal. The adsorbent is admixed with the coal during and after the heating step to adsorb some of the gaseous sulfur liberated from the coal. The apparatus capable of performing this method includes a heating section, a mixing section, a screening section and a gas treatment section.

Abstract: A source of electricity has a first electrode, a second electrode which is spaced from the first electrode and which is made from a metal that is displaced in the electromotive series from the metal of the first electrode, a first mass which is electrically conductive and which contains particulates and liquid and which is in electrically-conducting engagement with the inner surface of the first electrode, a second mass which is electrically conductive and which contains particulates and liquid and which is in electrically-conducting engagement with the inner surface of the second electrode and which has at least one particulate that is different from all of the particulates in the first mass, an interface between the confronting surfaces of the first and second masses, a polarity-imparting material in one of the masses, and that polarity-imparting material and the liquids enabling the masses to cause the electrodes to supply a unidirectional flow of current to any load which is connected across them.