Abstract: A method for the recovery and purification of water from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An apparatus for carrying out that method is also disclosed. In this method, the water is condensed out from the vehicle's exhaust (for example, by using a countercurrent flow heat exchanger in combination with a chiller), and the condensed water is then purified. The purification typically includes passing the water through one or more particulate filters; passing the water through one or more activated carbon filter beds, and passing the water through one or more ion exchange resin filter beds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use with internal combustion engines, such as used for land vehicles, for the on-board recovery and purification of water. The source of water is from the vehicle's exhaust, where it is collected by condensation. The water recovery system consists of a device for cooling the exhaust so as to condense out the water, such as a counter-current flow heat exchanger in combination with a chiller (a refrigerant-cooled heat exchanger), which cools the exhaust below its dew point. Exhaust condensate is collected at the outlet of the chiller. These cooling devices may be coupled with the vehicle's air conditioning system. The condensed water then flows through the water purification portion of the present invention.

Abstract: A process for preparing an activated carbon fiber composite material includes the steps of mixing carbon fibers, binder and water to form a slurry, molding the slurry to produce a green monolithic body, curing the monolithic body, carbonizing the cured monolith to produce a carbon fiber composite with an open, permeable structure and activating the composite. If pre-activated carbon fibers are utilized in the mixing step the carbonizing and activating steps are eliminated.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing the activity of a catalyst for a chemical reaction in which naphthalene is reversibly hydrogenated by gaseous hydrogen into tetralin, which avoids the need to pressurize a test vessel with hydrogen, enables simple apparatus to be used and gives good accuracy. Tetralin and catalyst are introduced into a sealed container, the container is heated to a reaction temperature for a predetermined time, and the amount of naphthalene formed by dehydrogenation is determined. The method is applicable to the measurement of catalyst activity for catalysts used in the production by hydrogenation of coal-derived liquids.

Abstract: Recycled oil solvents for coal extraction have their content of saturated cyclic species reduced by thermal cracking at 470.degree. to 540.degree. C. for a few minutes, restoring their effectiveness as solvents for coal.

Abstract: Coal is extracted using a mixed solvent which includes a substantially aromatic component and a substantially naphthenic component, at a temperature of 400.degree. to 500.degree. C. Although neither component is an especially good solvent for coal by itself, the use of mixed solvent gives greater flexibility to the process and offers efficiency gains.

Abstract: Coal extracts from hydrogenative liquid extraction of coals can be more easily and more quickly filtered if the extraction is carried out at a temperature over 420.degree. C. and the resulting extract is fractionated using a cut point in the range 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. to remove low boiling material. The product is then filtered to give a filtrate containing less than 0.1% by weight of mineral matter.