Abstract: A column is provided for treating gases by separating liquid and/or solid contaminants from the gases and then washing the gases with a washing liquid, wherein the presence of the contaminants would adversely affect the washing. The column has a separation space being arranged with respect to a washing space to prevent the washing liquid from contacting the contaminants within the separation space, a vane assembly for imparting a swirling motion to the gases in the separation space to substantially separate the contaminants from the gases, and tubular elements arranged to pass the gases substantially free of contaminants to the washing space.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the combustion of coke present on solid particles from which hydrocarbons have been substantially removed by heating, and for the production of recoverable heat from hydrocarbon-bearing solid particles, in a series of at least two combustion stages.

Abstract: Process for regeneration of a solvent for preferentially absorbing acid gases. The solvent, which comprises between 5 and 55 percent by weight water, is steam stripped in a regenerator, and vapor leaving the regenerator with the acid gases is condensed. The resulting condensate is returned to the solvent downstream of the regeneration zone. The condensate may be partially or wholly recirculated to the upper part of the regenerator provided that the majority of it is withdrawn above the regeneration zone. Some of the condensate may be added back to the solvent at the bottom of the regenerator or in a reboiler associated with the regenerator.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are extracted from a hydrocarbon-bearing substrate, e.g. shale oil, bituminous coal, tar sand, in the substantial absence of oxygen at temperatures above 400.degree. C., by passing substrate particles through a plurality of successive stages in which the substrate is mixed with a solid heat-bearing medium, the mixture being maintained in a fluidized-bed condition, and the liberated hydrocarbons being removed by passage of an inert stripping gas in cross-current flow with respect to the passage of the substrate particles. The average cross-sectional area of at least one or more of the stages subsequent to the first one is preferably smaller than the average cross-sectional area of one or more of the preceding stages.An apparatus for carrying out the process is described.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon-bearing substrate particles are pre-heated by heating the same with a solid heat-bearing medium by indirect counter-current flow using a series of heat transfer loops each containing a circulating heat transfer medium chosen such that the whole series permits a staged rise in temperature of the substrate particles and a staged drop in temperature of the solid heat-bearing medium. Preferably the heat transfer fluid in the loops circulates between the substrate and the hot spent substrate by means of the so-called thermosyphon effect.An apparatus for carrying out the method is described.