Abstract: Methods for reducing potential pollutants in carbonaceous materials such as coal, lignites and the like prior to utilization such as by combustion, the invention in preferred embodiments processes such materials by resonance disintegration including inter alia subjection to rapid pressure increases and decreases to reduce the materials to particle sizes of a preferable mean value of approximately fifty microns or less. Pollutants such as sulfur, mercury and other heavy metals bound in a mineral fraction and micronized by such processing can then removed by classification techniques based on physical differences between a micronized carbonaceous fraction and the mineral fraction. Combustion of the micronized carbonaceous fraction substantially free of the mineral fraction results in emissions having reduced levels of sulfur, mercury and other toxic substances.

Abstract: Methods of producing organic materials, and in particular methods of producing petroleum materials and organic compounds such as aromatic acids, phenols, and aliphatic poly-carboxylic acids using an oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD) process are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of solubilizing organic solids that includes reacting an organic solid with an oxidant in superheated water to form a solubilized organic solute. Preferably, the organic solid is selected from the group consisting of coal, lignite, kerogen, biomass, solid organic wastes, and mixtures thereof. The oxidant preferably is molecular oxygen.

Abstract: Methods of producing organic materials, and in particular methods of producing petroleum materials and organic compounds such as aromatic acids, phenols, and aliphatic poly-carboxylic acids using an oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD) process are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of solubilizing organic solids that includes reacting an organic solid with an oxidant in superheated water to form a solubilized organic solute. Preferably, the organic solid is selected from the group consisting of coal, lignite, kerogen, biomass, solid organic wastes, and mixtures thereof. The oxidant preferably is molecular oxygen.

Abstract: Methods for reducing potential pollutants in carbonaceous materials such as coal, lignites and the like prior to utilization such as by combustion, the invention in preferred embodiments processes such materials by resonance disintegration including inter alia subjection to rapid pressure increases and decreases to reduce the materials to particle sizes of a preferable mean value of approximately fifty microns or less. Pollutants such as sulfur, mercury and other heavy metals bound in a mineral fraction and micronized by such processing can then removed by classification techniques based on physical differences between a micronized carbonaceous fraction and the mineral fraction. Combustion of the micronized carbonaceous fraction substantially free of the mineral fraction results in emissions having reduced levels of sulfur, mercury and other toxic substances.