Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting accelerated chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures including wet oxidation of materials in waste streams. An influent waste stream or first reactant is directed through a long tubular coil within a containment vessel with a second reactant being added to the influent. The flow rates for the gas and liquid components of the waste stream are set to cause plug or slug flow of the waste stream through the tubular coil. The curvature of the coil tends to induce a secondary flow in the liquid such that the liquid tends to travel in a spiral thereby providing more intimate mixing of the reactants; and the containment vessel may be partitioned to form a series of successive compartments to permit different temperature gradients to be applied to successive sections of the tubing coil across its length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting accelerated chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures including wet oxidation of materials in waste streams. An influent waste stream or first reactant is directed through a long tubular coil within a containment vessel with a second reactant being added to the influent. The waste stream includes gas and liquid components. The flow rates for the reactants of the waste stream are set to cause plug or slug flow of the waste stream through the tubular coil. The curvature of the coil tends to induce a secondary flow in the liquid component such that the liquid component tends to travel in a spiral thereby providing more intimate mixing of the reactants. The containment vessel may be partitioned to form a series of successive compartments to permit different temperature gradients to be applied to successive sections of the tubing coil across its length.

Abstract: A process and system for simultaneously cooling shale ash fines and flue gas produced during the combustion of spent shale. The flue gas and fine solids are introduced into a heat exchange zone for contact with conventional heat exchange tubes. Heat transfer particles are introduced into the heat exchange zone for mixing with the flue gas to provide increased heat transfer rates between the flue gas and heat exchange equipment. The heat transfer solids are also of a sufficient size to provide continual scrubbing of the heat exchanger surfaces to prevent the build up of an insulating layer of fine dust particles. A staged cooling system and process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual stage combustion system and process for achieving high fuel combustion efficiency and reduced nitric oxide emissions. Combustion is carried out in two stages. A first partial combustion carried out in an oxygen deficient atmosphere followed by a second complete carbon combustion in an oxidizing atmosphere. The second combustion step achieves complete fuel utilization, but generates a nitrogen oxide containing flue gas. The nitrogen oxide containing flue gas is passed to the first combustion step where it is removed by interaction with the partially combusted solids.