Abstract: In addition to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83), a hydrothermal treatment system (60) includes an effluent stream splitting arrangement (86) for receiving hydrothermal reaction effluent and splitting this effluent to produce two separate effluent streams. These separated effluent streams are used to heat at least a water stream and first reactant material stream before these streams are injected into the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83). A first split effluent heat exchange arrangement (81) places one split effluent stream in a heat exchange relationship with the water input to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83). A second split effluent heat exchange arrangement (79, 80) places the other split effluent stream in a heat exchange relationship with both the first reactant material and the water input to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83).

Abstract: In addition to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83), a hydrothermal treatment system (60) includes an effluent stream splitting arrangement (86) for receiving hydrothermal reaction effluent and splitting this effluent to produce two separate effluent streams. These separated effluent streams are used to heat at least a water stream and first reactant material stream before these streams are injected into the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83). A first split effluent heat exchange arrangement (81) places one split effluent stream in a heat exchange relationship with the water input to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83). A second split effluent heat exchange arrangement (79, 80) places the other split effluent stream in a heat exchange relationship with both the first reactant material and the water input to the contactor and reactor arrangement (10, 83).

Abstract: Heated and pressurized reactant material is caused to come into contact with oxidant in an initial contact zone (Z) within a contactor. vessel (11). This initial contact zone is removed from the walls of the vessel and the structure through which the reactant material is introduced into the vessel. Once in the contactor vessel (11), the temperature of the reactant material is elevated to critical temperature or near critical temperature in at least portions of the initial contact zone. Sulfates and similar ions liberated in the oxidation reaction form salts and precipitate from solution generally in. the initial contact. zone removed from the contactor vessel walls and then tend not to adhere to equipment at points downstream from the initial contact zone.

Abstract: A self-aligning valve disc assembly for a fluid regulator valve. A disc holder includes a central, raised protrusion enabled in one embodiment by a cone-shaped floor surface for providing a single point of contact with a disc. The single contact point provides a pivoting action with a point of force inside the diameter of the opposing force of the valve seat. This enables the pivoting action of the disc to self-align the disc to the seating surface so as to reduce the forces required for the regulator to function properly.