Abstract: A method of recovering high-grade, preferably sulphur-free fuel from a bituminous or pyrobituminous mineral-fuel material, such as coal, oil shale and alum shale, wherein the raw material is finely divided into a sufficiently fine particle size for freeing the major part of bituminous or pyrobituminous raw material particles from ash-forming mineral particles, and in that the finely divided raw material is separated into a high-grade, preferably sulphur-poor, fuel concentrate which is utilized, a sulphur-containing mixture of bituminous or pyrobituminous material and ash-forming mineral and a residual product comprising mainly ash-forming mineral, and wherein a binder is produced from the sulphur-containing mixture by combusting the mixture while using its own fuel content and whereafter the binder is added to the residual product so as to hydraulically bind the product to a durable agglomerate form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in the gasification of sulphur-containing carbonaceous material using metal smelts. When gasifying such carbonaceous material in a metal smelt, the material is introduced to a gasifying reactor containing an iron and/or manganese smelt having a temperature of between 1100.degree. and 1600.degree. C., suitably 1150.degree.-1250.degree. C., the smelt being substantially saturated with respect to sulphur and carbon. The carbonaceous material is oxidized to carbon monoxide and the sulphur content forms a matte phase containing a high percentage of sulphur, which phase is tapped off. Residual non-combustible material is collected as a slag on the surface and is removed together therewith. If so desired, the matte can be granulated and roasted to recover the sulphur and metal contents. Carbonaceous material incorporating pyrolysible constituents is suitably pyrolysed in a pyrolysis medium at a temperature of between 450.degree.-800.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovering oil and gas from carbonaceous materials utilizing two molten baths. In the first molten bath reaction vessel, the carbonaceous material is thermally devolatilized. Part of the first melt from the first reaction vessel containing non-volatile constituents is passed to the second molten bath reaction vesel which contains a different melt at a higher temperature. The two melts are only partially soluble in each other so that they can be easily separated. Oxygen, air or oxides are charged to the second reaction vessel for gasifying residual quantities of carbon by oxidation. The first melt is returned to the first reaction vessel from the second reaction vessel. The melt in the first reaction vessel may comprise lead or zinc and be maintained at a temperature of 500.degree. C., while the melt in the second reaction vessel may comprise raw iron and be maintained at a temperature of 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: Kerogen-containing shale is crushed and comminuted to a fineness sufficient to free kerogen and any sulphides present in said shale. To enable the shale to be finely-divided more readily, the crushed shale is subjected to a leaching treatment prior to final comminution thereof.