Abstract: A process for the production of alkyl formates such as methyl formate from the reaction of a carbon monoxide containing gas and an alkyl alcohol, such as methanol, is disclosed. The process features low conversions of alkyl alcohol to alkyl formate, high catalyst concentrations, higher reaction zone temperatures, improved process thermal efficiencies, and reduced apparatus requirements.

Abstract: An economic process for thermally dewatering a solid carbonaceous material containing substantial amounts of chemically attached water is disclosed. The process is capable of economically removing up to 95% of the chemically attached water in the disclosed process.

Abstract: A gaseous effluent rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide is produced from coal by a process which involves the gasification of the coal in a fluidized gasification zone interconnected with a combustor zone comprising a combustion unit and an entrained flow lift column with transfer of solid material between the gasification zone and the combustor zone, in a system in which lime-treated coal and steam are fed to the gasification zone to which heat is supplied by clinker material transferred from the combustor zone. At the same time, gasified coal residue or "char" and clinker are transferred from the gasification zone to the combustor zone wherein the char is brought into contact with air in the presence of the clinker particles circulating from the bottom of the gasification zone, and the final gas and heat values from the coal are extracted by combustion of the char, the coal ash with the lime emerging as fine particles.