Abstract: Method and apparatus for charging finely ground hydrocarbonaceous material (e.g. coal, shale, liquite, oil sand), to a gasification reactor by gravity and compressed gas is disclosed.In accordance with the invention, ground coal particles, for example, are supplied by gravity feed to a charge forming hopper and from the hopper to a charging cylinder. The charge is pressured with a volume of gas from 3 to 5 times the volume of the charge to form a cushion of gas above it. Pressure is then increased on the gas cushion, as by a piston in the cylinder, until the pressure in the cylinder exceeds the pressure in the reactor. Such pressure automatically activates a closure arrangement between the cylinder and reactor. The closure arrangement automatically recloses the reactor when pressure between the reactor and cylinder equalizes. Desirably, the closure arrangement is purged by steam prior to closing.

Abstract: Sulfite ions are removed from an aqueous liquid by decreasing the pH of the liquid to convert at least a portion of the sulfite ions to bisulfite ions and contacting the liquid with a macroreticular solid compound containing carbonyl groups that can form adducts with the bisulfite ions.

Abstract: A product useful as a pour point depressant which comprises the asphaltene component of a thermally treated shale oil is disclosed, as is a process for making it, a method for using it and a concentrate and a composition containing it.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing a bisulfite salt from an aqueous solution by chemisorbing the salt onto a macroreticular organic compound containing carbonyl functional groups and regenerating the compound.

Abstract: A combination process for reducing the soluble arsenic content of shale oil comprising thermally dearsenating the shale oil to make an aged shale oil, coking at least a portion of the aged shale oil, and catalytically hydroprocessing at least a portion of the coker distillate to produce a shale oil product having a low soluble arsenic content.

Abstract: Oil shale retort effluent having a temperature of at least 650.degree. F. (343.degree. C.) is cooled, if necessary, to within the range from 600.degree.-800.degree. F. (316.degree.-427.degree. C.), separated into a liquid phase and a vapor phase, and the liquid phase is maintained within that range for 1 to 120 minutes to form a liquid product having a pour point less than 40.degree. F. (4.4.degree. C.). When the effluent contains at least one contaminant selected from soluble iron and soluble arsenic and is withdrawn from the retort at a temperature of at least 300.degree. F. (149.degree. C.), maintaining the liquid phase at a temperature from 300.degree.-800.degree. F. (149.degree.-427.degree. C.) will cause formation of (1) a precipitate containing iron, arsenic or both and (2) a liquid product having a reduced contaminant content.

Abstract: The pour point of a high-pour-point shale oil is lowered by mixing it with a low-pour-point whole shale oil. Both the method and the resulting composition are claimed.

Abstract: Coal may be effectively comminuted and the ash and sulfur content thereof reduced by contacting the coal with a hydrogen halide such as HF.

Abstract: An arsenic-contaminated shale oil is thermally treated to precipitate the arsenic and to lower the pour point. Treated oil is then transported and thereafter heated to produce coke and a liquid hydrocarbon distillate. At least a portion of the distillate is catalytically processed in the presence of hydrogen, forming a treated shale oil product.