Abstract: Pellets or briquettes useful as fuel are produced from sewage sludge solids. Mechanically stable pellets or briquettes result from combining a major portion of sewage sludge solids with lesser amounts of lime and binder materials suitable for imparting stability to the product and pressing or extruding the combined components into desired shapes. Coal may be included in the pellet or briquette composition for improved fuel value.

Abstract: Briquettes useful as fuel are produced from dehydrated sewage sludge containing 65 weight percent or more sewage sludge solids. The briquettes on a dry basis contain from about 50 to about 95 weight percent sewage sludge solids together with from about 3 to about 12 weight percent lime as binder and fungistat. Organic binders and coking agents may be included in the briquettes to improve resistance to breakage and to impart high crush strength at elevated temperatures encountered in gasifiers.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for time production of fuel pellets or briquettes from sewage sludge solids and municipal solid waste with minimal drying requirements. In one of its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a solid pelleted or briquetted fuel product consisting essentially of sewage sludge solids, waste paper and/or refuse derived fuel, and crushed coal, and to its method of preparation. In still another of its specific aspects, this invention relates to a method for the production of fuel gases from sewage sludge solids and cellulosic wastes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of PCBs or similar refractory organic substances from solid surfaces, such as soil or hardware, e.g., capacitors and transformers containing a charge or residue of PCB or similar fluids. Such toxic substances are volatilized from substrates contaminated therewith by contacting them with carrier gas, such as a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and steam. The carrier gas and volatilized components are introduced into a partial oxidation zone of a gas generator where PCBs are completely destroyed at a temperature range of 2800.degree. F. to 3500.degree. F.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of fuel pellets or briquettes from sewage sludge solids. In one of its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a solid pelleted fuel product consisting essentially of sewage sludge solids and caking coal and to its method of preparation. In still another of its specific aspects, this invention relates to a method for the production of fuel gases from sewage sludge solids.

Abstract: Toxic refractory organic substances are decomposed by reaction with oxygen and steam at a temperature in the range of 2500.degree. F. to 3200.degree. F. Such toxic refractory organic compounds as PCB's, may be completely destroyed without contamination of the environment.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a vehicle comprising a hydrostatic transmission wherein the system typically includes an electric motor, a hydrostatic pump preferably of the continuous variable displacement type, hydrostatic motors for cooperation with the wheel axles of the vehicle, and a gas accumulator which provides for the compression and expansion of a gaseous medium depending on whether the transmission fluid is being pumped into or withdrawn from the gas accumulator. The gas accumulator comprises a pressure vessel which serves as a structural member of the vehicle. It may have a tubular configuration disposed as a load-bearing structural member of the chassis or it may comprise a number of interconnected pressure-retaining panels, that form the vertical sides and/or roof sections of the vehicle. Suitable mechanical and electrical/electronic controls are provided to monitor the gas pressure in the gas accumulator and to regulate the stroke and function of the hydrostatic pumps and motors.

Abstract: Briquettes of specified geometry and composition are produced to serve as feed material or "burden" in a moving-burden gasifier for the production of a synthesis or fuel gas from organic solid waste materials and coal, including especially, the so-called "caking" coals, as in the process of copending application number 675,918. The briquettes are formed from a well-blended mixture of shredded organic solid wastes, including especially, municipal solid waste (MSW) or biomass, and crushed caking coal, including coal fines. A binder material may or may not be required, depending on the coal/MSW ratio and the compaction pressure employed. The briquettes may be extruded, stamped, or pressed, employing compaction pressures in excess of 1000 psi, and preferably in the range of 2000 to 10,000 psi. The briquettes may be circular, polygonal, or irregular in cross-section; they may be solid, or concentrically perforated to form a hollow cylinder or polygon; they may be formed into saddles, pillows or doughnuts.

Abstract: Briquettes of specified geometry and composition are produced to serve as feed material or "burden" in a moving-burden gasifier for the production of a synthesis or fuel gas from organic solid waste materials and coal, including especially, the so-called "caking" coals, as in the process of copending application number 675-918. The briquettes are formed from a well-blended mixture of shredded organic solid wastes, including especially, municipal solid waste (MSW) or biomass, and crushed caking coal, including coal fines. A binder material may or may not be required, depending on the coal/MSW ratio and the compaction pressure employed. The briquettes may be extruded, stamped, or pressed, employing compaction pressures in excess of 1000 psi, and preferably in the range of 2000 to 10,000 psi. The briquettes may be circular, polygonal, or irregular in cross-section; they may be solid, or concentrically perforated to form a hollow cylinder or polygon; they may be formed into saddles, pillows or doughnuts.

Abstract: Gaseous fuels are produced by a process which involves simultaneous gasification of coal and pyrolysis of organic solid waste materials in a pollution-free conversion system. According to this process, a mixture of coal and organic solid waste materials is fed to the top of a reaction vessel such as a vertical shaft furnace or a blast furnace, wherein the feed is dried by heat exchange with the gases rising from the lower section of the reactor. Steam and an oxidant gas containing at least 75 volume percent oxygen are introduced to the bottom of the reactor for partially combusting coke and char in a partial combustion zone thereby providing the thermal driving force for the reactions in the reactor. The organic solid waste materials are pyrolyzed and the volatile components of the coal destructively distilled simultaneously in the presence of hydrogen in a pyrolysis and coking zone of the reactor wherein the organic solid waste materials are converted into char and the coal is converted into coke.