Abstract: Preparation of a solid fuel-water slurry suitable for use as feed to a partial oxidation zone for the production of synthesis gas by forming a mixture of finely-divided solid fuel and water, heating the mixture to a temperature above 300.degree. F. under pressure sufficient to maintain water in the liquid phase, cooling the mixture and adding a surface active agent and sufficient water to form a mixture having a water content between 40 and 50 weight %.

Abstract: A process for making low sulfur oil by reacting aqueous reactive sludges and slurries with hot, pressurized carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) wherein the wastes are first concentrated by coking in the liquid phase under a pressure of 300 to 3000 psig at a temperature of 400.degree. to 550.degree. F for from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

Abstract: Water is removed from carbonaceous materials such as coal by treatment with a hydrocarbon at elevated temperatures and a pressure sufficiently high to maintain the system liquid.

Abstract: The heating value of solid fuel is increased and the particle size decreased by passing a slurry of the fuel in liquid water at a temperature between 400.degree. F. and the critical temperature of water through a tubular attrition under conditions of turbulent flow. The product slurry is suitable for pipelining.

Abstract: Low rank fuels are beneficiated by treatment with water at elevated temperature under superatmospheric pressure in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for recovering energy from a geothermal reservoir in which brine from the reservoir is first employed to heat an immiscible fluid, such as a hydrocarbon in direct heat exchange and the heated hydrocarbon is then utilized in direct heat exchange to heat a second fluid, such as boiler feed water, to raise steam as the actual working fluid in the power cycle.

Abstract: Process for making low sulfur oil by reacting aqueous reactive sludges and slurries with hot, pressurized carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) wherein the wastes are first concentrated by coking in the liquid phase under a pressure of 300 to 3000 psig at a temperature of 400.degree. to 550.degree. F for from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

Abstract: Low rank solid fuels are upgraded by heating a mixture of particulate fuel and water to a temperature between 300.degree. F. and the critical temperature of water under a pressure sufficient to maintain substantially all of the water in liquid state, cooling the mixture and separating the particles from the water by agglomeration with a hydrocarbon liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a hydrocarbon coke slurry fuel by coking carbonaceous materials in the liquid phase under autogenous pressure to form coke which is then extracted with a combustible hydrocarbon at high temperatures and pressures to produce a dense slurry of coke in the hydrocarbon suitable for use as a fuel.

Abstract: Described is an improvement in a water desalination process comprising extracting salt water with a hydrocarbon to form a salt-water hydrocarbon phase having a temperature of 500.degree. to 650.degree. F wherein the phase is broken into salt-free water and hydrocarbon by injecting therein a hydrocarbon at a temperature of 70.degree. to 200.degree. F.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for disposing of aqueous sewage and for producing fresh water by coking the sewage in the liquid phase to form gases, coke and an effluent which is extracted with a hot liquid hydrocarbon to form a hydrocarbon-water solution and a hot concentrated brine. The hot brine is injected into the sewage sludge to heat same to coking temperature. Hot water is removed from the hydrocarbon-water solution, used for space heating or the like and thereby cooled. The cool water then is passed through a carbon absorber to remove traces of hydrocarbon dissolved therein, and chlorinated to give potable water.

Abstract: The liquid phase coking of waste kraft pulping liquors can be effected with a shorter residence time in the coking means at lower temperature, and lower pressure by reducing the pH of such liquors by at least one pH unit before coking. Products are lower in malodorous organic sulfur components than those produced at a higher pH.The lowering of the pH is achieved by adding sulfur dioxide to the liquor either as free SO.sub.2 or as an aqueous solution of SO.sub.2.