Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for oxidation of aqueous mixtures of organic material, including toxic material in the presence of inorganic materials, by reaction of said material with water and oxygen at supercritical conditions. Oxygen and the aqueous mixture are separately pressurized to greater than about 218 atmospheres, combined to form a reaction mixture and then directed through a tubular reactor having a substantially constant internal diameter. The velocity of the reaction mixture is sufficient to prevent settling of a substantial portion of solids initially present in the reaction mixture and of solids which form during passage through the reactor. The mixture is heated to temperature above about 374° C. in the tubular reactor. A substantial portion of the organic material in the reaction mixture is oxidized in the tubular reactor to thereby form an effluent mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering wash water from effluent generated by a pulp and paper mill. The method includes filtering at least a portion of the effluent to form a filtrate stream and an organic solids feed stream. The organic solids feed stream is exposed to a temperature and a pressure which are supercritical for water to cause a substantial portion of the organic component to oxidize and form a product stream that, when cooled, includes a gaseous component, an inorganic solids component, and a liquid wash water component. The wash water component is separated from the gaseous and inorganic solids components, thereby recovering wash water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for oxidation of aqueous mixtures of organic material, including toxic material in the presence of inorganic materials, by reaction of said material with water and oxygen at supercritical conditions. Oxygen and the aqueous mixture are separately pressurized to greater than about 218 atmospheres, combined to form a reaction mixture and then directed through a tubular reactor having a substantially constant internal diameter. The velocity of the reaction mixture is sufficient to prevent settling of a substantial portion of solids initially present in the reaction mixture and of solids which form during passage through the reactor. The mixture is heated to temperature above about 374.degree. C. in the tubular reactor. A substantial portion of the organic material in the reaction mixture is oxidized in the tubular reactor to thereby form an effluent mixture.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing an organic material in an oxidizer includes forming a mixture of the organic material with water and a fluid including oxygen under conditions near supercritical pressure. At the inlet of the oxidizer, the mixture is caused to undergo reaction under supercritical conditions for water, characterized by a temperature of at least about 400.degree. C. and a pressure of at least about 220 atmospheres in the oxidizer.

Abstract: Organic materials are oxidized in supercritical water to obtain useful energy and/or resultant materials. In one embodiment, conventional fuels are oxidized with high efficiency to obtain useful energy for power generation and/or process heat. In another embodiment toxic or waste materials are converted to useful energy for power and heat and/or to non-toxic resultant materials. The method is also useful to permit use of a wide range of organic materials as a fuel in the desalination of seawater and brine or the removal of certain inorganic salts from water.

Abstract: An adsorbate is removed from an adsorbent by contacting the adsorbent with a near critical liquid which is a solvent for the adsorbate. The near critical liquid containing the dissolved adsorbate is then subjected to at least partial vaporization to form a vapor in which the adsorbate is substantially less soluble thereby making it possible to remove the adsorbate from the near critical liquid. The vapor is then condensed to restore it to the near critical liquid state wherein it is a solvent for the adsorbate so that it may be reused. The process is particularly suitable for adsorbent regeneration in the treating of waste-waters.

Abstract: An adsorbate is removed from an adsorbent by contacting the adsorbent with a supercritical fluid which is a solvent for the adsorbate. The supercritical fluid containing the dissolved adsorbate is then subjected to a physical treatment which renders the supercritical fluid a nonsolvent for the adsorbate and makes it possible to remove the adsorbate from the supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid is then subjected to another physical treatment to restore it to a state wherein it is a solvent for the adsorbate so that it may be reused. The process and apparatus are particularly suitable for adsorbent regeneration in the treating of waste water.

Abstract: Solid or liquid organic materials are converted to high BTU gas with little or no undesirable char formation by reaction with water at or above the critical temperature of water and at or above the critical pressure of water to achieve the critical density of water. The reaction can be conducted either in the presence or in the absence of a catalyst.

Abstract: An adsorbate is removed from a polymeric adsorbent by contacting the adsorbent with a supercritical fluid which is a solvent for the adsorbate. The supercritical fluid containing the dissolved adsorbate is then subjected to a physical treatment which renders the supercritical fluid a nonsolvent for the adsorbate and makes it possible to remove the adsorbate from the supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid is then subjected to another physical treatment to restore it to a state wherein it is a solvent for the adsorbate so that it may be reused. The process is particularly suitable for adsorbent regeneration in the treatment of wastewaters.