Abstract: High sulfur content carbonaceous material, such as coal is desulfurized by continuous fluidized suspension (20) in a reactor (18) with chlorine gas, inert dechlorinating gas and hydrogen gas. A source of chlorine gas (30), a source (32) of inert gas and a source (34) of hydrogen gas are connected to the bottom inlet (24) through a manifold (28) and a heater (26). A flow controller (42) operates servos (36, 38, 40) in a manner to continuously and sequentially suspend coal in the three gases. The sulfur content is reduced at least 50% by the treatment.

Abstract: A method of desulfurization is described in which high sulfur coals are desulfurized by low temperature chlorinolysis (12) of coal in liquid media, preferably water, followed by hydrodesulfurization (26) at a temperature above 500.degree. C. The coals are desulfurized to an extent of up to 90% by weight and simultaneously dechlorinated to a chlorine content below 0.1% by weight. The product coals have lower volatiles loss, lower oxygen and nitrogen content and higher fixed carbon than raw coals treated with hydrogen under the same conditions.Heating the chlorinated coal to a temperature above 500.degree. C. in inert gas such as nitrogen results in significantly less desulfurization.

Abstract: A method of desulfurizing coal is described in which chlorine gas is bubbled through an aqueous slurry of coal at low temperature below 130 degrees C., and at ambient pressure. Chlorinolysis converts both inorganic and organic sulfur components of coal into water soluble compounds which enter the aqueous suspending media. The media is separated after chlorinolysis and the coal dechlorinated at a temperature of from 300 degrees C. to 500 degrees C. to form a non-caking, low-sulfur coal product.

Abstract: High sulfur crude oil is desulfurized by a low temperature (25.degree.-80.degree. C.) chlorinolysis at ambient pressure in the absence of organic solvent or diluent but in the presence of water (water/oil=0.3) followed by a water and caustic wash to remove sulfur and chlorine containing reaction products. The process can be practiced at the well site for the recovery of desulfurized oil used to generate steam for injection into the well for enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: In a raw sewage treatment process of the type where settling tanks are used for the purpose of permitting the suspended matter in the raw sewage to be settled as well as to permit adsorption of the dissolved contaminants in the water of the sewage. The sludge, which settles down to the bottom of the settling tank is extracted, pyrolyzed and activated to form activated carbon and ash which is mixed with the sewage prior to its introduction into the settling tank, for the purposes mentioned. Because the sludge does not provide all of the activated carbon and ash required for adequate treatment of the raw sewage, it is necessary to add carbon to the process. In accordance with this invention, instead of expensive commercial carbon, coal is used to provide the carbon supplement.

Abstract: Raw sewage may be presently treated by mixing screened raw sewage with activated carbon. The mixture is then allowed to stand in a first tank for a period required to settle the suspended matter to the bottom of the tank as a sludge. Thereafter, the remaining liquid is again mixed with activated carbon and the mixture is transferred to a secondary settling tank, where it is permitted to stand for a period required for the remaining floating material to settle as sludge and for adsorption of sewage carbon as well as other impurities to take place. The sludge from the bottom of both tanks is removed and pyrolyzed to form activated carbon and ash, which is mixed with the incoming raw sewage and also mixed with the liquid being transferred from the primary to the secondary settling tank. It has been found that the output obtained by the pyrolysis process contains an excess amount of ash.