Abstract: A process and apparatus especially suited for distilling alcohol from aqueous fermentation liquors wherein liquid vapors from a body of a liquid mixture (4) which is to be distilled pass from a container (2) holding the liquid mixture to a vapor heating chamber (8) disposed above the container where the vapors are heated by solar radiation and/or heat exchange with a source of process heat. The vapors are then withdrawn from the vapor heating chamber, compressed, passed in heat exchange relation with the liquid mixture and introduced into a reflux column (15) disposed in the interior of the body of liquid to be distilled near the center of the container. An aqueous fraction (24) is collected from the bottom of the reflux column, and an alcohol vapor fraction is withdrawn from the top of the reflux column and further condensed in heat exchange contact with the liquid mixture to produce an alcohol fraction (32).

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed for converting carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide by subjecting the carbon dioxide to radiation in the presence of carbonaceous material such as coal to form carbon monoxide. The preferred form of radiation is solar energy, and the process is preferably carried out in an atmosphere essentially free of oxygen. The invention also include subjecting carbon monoxide to radiation to form purified carbon and useful heat energy. The two procedures can be combined into a single process for converting solar or other energy into useful thermal energy with the production of useful products. The reactor apparatus is specifically designed to carry out the radiation-induced conversions. Coal can be desulfurized and its caking characteristics altered by solar radiation is the presence of suitable gases.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) and oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) are effectively and economically removed from a gaseous combustion products stream by photochemical conversion of the gaseous SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x components into particulates (aerosols and mists). The reactive hydrocarbon (RHC) and oxygen deficient fossil fuel combustion products can be converted into a highly photochemically reactive RHC,SO.sub.2,NO.sub.x (NO,NO.sub.2),O.sub.2,H.sub.2 O gaseous mixture by the introduction of sufficient quantities of a reactive hydrocarbon, such as an olefin, and oxygen or oxygen containing air. The reactant mixture is then irradiated with electromagnetic waves of the 1,500A to 7,500A band of the spectrum, which irradiation is followed by ammonia injection, if desired, to promote particulate formation.