Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for catalytic cracking in a fluid phase of a hydrocarbon charge. The process comprises contacting, in ascending or descending flow, the charge and grains of a cracking catalyst in a tubular reactor, ballistically separating the spent catalyst and the cracked charge downstream of the end of said reactor, mixing spent catalyst with grains of at least partially regenerated catalyst having a temperature exceeding that of the grains of spent catalyst, stripping spent catalyst in a dense fluidized phase by means of a fluid injected counter-current into this catalyst regenerating the catalyst under conditions to effect combustion of coke deposited thereon, and recycling regenerated catalyst to feed the reactor.

Abstract: A method is provided for mining deep tar sand deposits which minimizes energy losses and surface subsidance due to cavity collapse. A well is sunk through the overburden and tar sands deposit into the bedrock below the deposit; the well is sealed and pressurized with steam and inert gas. Hot aqueous fluid is directed against the deposit to melt the tar and form a tar-sand-water slurry which is passed to a surface recovery plant. Pressure is maintained in the well sufficiently high to hold the overburden. Energy losses are minimized by maintaining the pressure both in the well and the surface plant above the boiling point of the water at the temperature used, which may be as high as 450.degree. F. or more, subsidence is prevented by keeping at least a 10 foot thick ceiling of tar sands throughout the operation, and by backfilling the well with an aqueous slurry of sand after mining operations are complete, before releasing pressure on the well.

Abstract: This specification discloses a vapor phase process for oxidizing acetaldehyde to peracetic acid, acetic acid being also formed at the same time, in an elongated reaction zone into which oxygen is fed through a plurality of oxygen injection sites spaced along the length of the reaction zone. The reaction gas mixture velocity through the reaction zone in the areas of the oxygen injection sites is maintained in excess of the flame velocity of the reaction gas mixture and the reaction zone temperature is maintained between about 140.degree. C. and about 180.degree. C.

Abstract: In the process of making synthesis gas in a fluidized bed from carbon and steam, wherein a recirculating stream of carbon from the bed is heated externally of the bed with combustion gases derived by burning carbonaceous solids taken from the bed, using all the fines separated from the synthesis gas withdrawn above the fluidized bed, and such additional carbon from the bed as is necessary to make up the required heat balance, the ash content of the bed is maintained near feed levels by drawing char from the bed, fractionating it to obtain an ash-rich fraction and an ash-poor fraction, returning the ash-poor fraction to the gasifier and sending the ash-rich fraction to the combustor.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is prepared by contacting coal-derived char particles with steam in a fluid-bed gasifier wherein heat for the endothermic reaction is supplied by passing through the gasifier a stream of inert pellets heated externally of the gasifier. The pellets, after leaving the gasifier, are separated from entrained char, and then conveyed into a heater where the fines from the external cyclone of the gasifier are burned in the presence of the circulating pellets to produce the heat necessary for the reaction.