Abstract: A process and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of expansion turbines of the type having working fluid vapor passing rotating blades within a casing and means for conducting the working fluid vapor into and out of the casing in which condensation nuclei are mixed with said working fluid vapor prior to passing said rotating blades, said condensation nuclei being supplied in sufficient numbers and size to form droplets of condensate of said vapor having an average diameter of below about 20 microns, thereby providing increased condensation of the working fluid vapor as compared with condensation without condensation nuclei.

Abstract: A process for thermal treatment of solid particles in a fluidized bed wherein the solid particles by thermal treatment form a lighter weight fraction and a heavier weight fraction, relative to the total contents of the bed. The process is characterized by use of a selective heavier particle discharge conduit in the sloping bed support and maintenance of a discrete fluid fueled flame in close proximity to and above the opening to the heavier particle discharge conduit. This forms a higher temperature zone in and surrounding the flame, at least about 100.degree. F. higher than the remainder bed temperature. Circulation of solid particles through the flame and its surrounding higher temperature region is promoted both by directing of fluidization gas jets in the fluidized bed support and by the jetting action of the upwardly flowing heavier particle discharge gas.

Abstract: Substantially isothermal thermo-cyclic chemical and physical processes are achieved by conduct of the thermo-cyclic process conducting the thermo-cyclic process in thermal exchange relation with a sufficient quantity of transition thermal absorption/release material to operate the thermo-cyclic process substantially isothermally at about the transition temperature of the thermal absorption/release material during the exothermic and the endothermic portions of the thermo-cyclic process.

Abstract: A two phase anaerobic digestion process for production of methane from organic carbonaceous material in which an active acid forming microbial population is maintained in a first acid forming digestion phase and an active methane forming microbial population is maintained in a second methane forming digestion phase, the liquid effluent from the acid forming digestion phase being passed to a first methane forming digester and gaseous product from the acid forming digestion phase being passed to a second separated methane forming digester for production of methane in the first and second methane forming digesters of the methane forming digestion phase. The two separated methane digestion phases provide increased overall methane production.

Abstract: A process for thermal treatment of solid particles in a fluidized bed wherein the solid particles by thermal treatment form a lighter weight fraction and a heavier weight fraction, relative to the total contents of the bed. The process is characterized by use of a selective heavier particle discharge conduit in the sloping bed support and maintenance of a discrete fluid fueled flame in close proximity to and above the opening to the heavier particle discharge conduit. This forms a higher temperature zone in and surrounding the flame, at least about 100.degree. F. higher than the remainder bed temperature. Circulation of solid particles through the flame and its surrounding higher temperature region is promoted both by directing of fluidization gas jets in the fluidized bed support and by the jetting action of the upwardly flowing heavier particle discharge gas.

Abstract: A process for recovery of organic oils and residues in association with inorganic solids by solvent extraction and for the recovery of solvent used for the extraction. The organic solvent extracted inorganic solids having remaining associated organic solvent is fluidized in a bed with fluidizing gas comprising superheated vapor of the organic solvent vaporizing and removing a substantial portion of the associated organic solvent. Then the solids are countercurrently contacted with a combustion gas stream at a lower temperature than the solids physically stripping a substantial portion of the residual solvent from the solids, the combustion gas stream being enhanced for combustion by comprising stripped organic solvent and by being heated.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for thermochemical beneficiation of carbonaceous solids, such as low rank coals and biomass, by countercurrently passing a moving bed of the solids in contact with a liquid in an amount sufficient to flush product liquids having dissolved and suspended products and make-water from the moving bed which is maintained within the wet carbonization reaction zone at about 400.degree. to about 650.degree. and an elevated pressure sufficient to prevent boiling of the liquid. The feed liquid may be preheated in a lower liquid preheat zone of the moving bed and a substantial portion of the liquid removed as heat recovery liquid for other process uses. External heat may be added in the lower portion of the wet carbonization reaction zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for production of liquid and gaseous fuels from solid organic carbonaceous materials by reacting free falling solids in a countercurrent gas stream. The process is conducted with a lean solids phase which provides good process control and uniform flow of solids even in the presence of condensation and refluxing of liquids on the solid particles. Rapid heatup rates provide high carbon conversions. Oil shales of the eocene period are particularly well suited for the process of this invention. A reactor particularly suited for conducting reactions between free falling solids and countercurrent flowing gas streams is disclosed together with preferred methods for introduction of solid feeds to the top of the reactor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for production of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products from solid organic carbonaceous materials by reacting free falling solids with a countercurrent hydrogen-containing gas stream. The process is conducted with a lean solids phase which provides good process control and uniform flow of solids even in the presence of condensation and refluxing of liquids on the solid particles. Oil shales of the Eocene period having Modified Fischer Assays of less than about 9 gallons of oil per ton and representing less than half the organic carbon present in the oil shale are particularly well suited for the process of this invention. A reactor particularly suited for conducting reactions between free falling solids and countercurrent flowing gas streams is disclosed together with preferred methods for introduction of solid feeds to the top of the reactor including distribution baffles and fluidized bed feed distribution systems.

Abstract: A hybrid bio-thermal liquefaction process for improved carbonaceous liquefaction to produce alcohol containing fuels wherein an organic carbonaceous feed is subjected to active fermentation producing alcohol containing liquid fuel product and fermentation residue, the fermentation residue being introduced into a thermochemical converter and at least a substantial portion of the organic carbon component of the residue converted under elevated temperature conditions producing thermochemical converter products and thermochemical residue with a portion of at least one of the thermochemical products or their derivatives, or thermochemical residue being passed to the fermentation reactor. The process provides high overall process energy efficiencies and utilizes the total agricultural biomass crop thereby greatly reducing waste disposal problems.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and process for the conversion of hydrocarbonaceous materials, such as coal, to more valuable gaseous products in a fluidized bed gasification reaction and efficient withdrawal of agglomerated ash from the fluidized bed is disclosed. The improvements are obtained by introducing an oxygen containing gas into the bottom of the fluidized bed through a separate conduit positioned within the center of a nozzle adapted to agglomerate and withdraw the ash from the bottom of the fluidized bed. The conduit extends above the constricted center portion of the nozzle and preferably terminates within and does not extend from the nozzle. In addition to improving ash agglomeration and withdrawal, the present invention prevents sintering and clinkering of the ash in the fluidized bed and permits the efficient recycle of fine material recovered from the product gases by contacting the fines in the fluidized bed with the oxygen as it emanates from the conduit positioned within the withdrawal nozzle.

Abstract: A hybrid bio-thermal gasification process for improved carbonaceous gasification wherein a biological feed is anaerobically digested with product methane and carbon dioxide containing gas withdrawn from the digester and biological residue separately withdrawn from the digester and introduced into a thermal gasifier wherein at least a substantial portion of the biological residue is gasified under elevated temperature conditions producing thermal gasifier products and thermal residue with at least a portion of the thermal gasifier products or their derivatives being returned to the digester. The process provides high conversion of the carbonaceous material and biological feed stocks to gas products and permits gasification of a wider variety of biological feeds by anaerobic digestion processes while requiring less external nutrient feeding to the process. The process of this invention provides a highly efficient process for production of substitute natural gas.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbon liquids in preference to gases from oil shale. The shale is introduced at the top of a reaction chamber which includes an upper oil shale preheat zone having a temperature not more than about 950.degree. F., a hydroretort reaction zone at a temperature of about 850.degree. to about 1250.degree. F. and a lower hydrogen preheat zone to recover heat from spent shale. Solids from the shale are passed downwardly through the chamber so that the shale, and particularly the oil therein, is gradually heated to the reaction temperature over a relatively extended period of at least ten minutes so as to inhibit the formation of a carbon residue. A hydrogen-rich gas, containing hydrogen in excess of stoichiometric amounts needed for the hydroretorting of the oil in the shale, is passed upwardly in the reaction chamber and countercurrent to the shale solids passing downwardly therethrough.