Abstract: The invention provides an economical continuous process for the production of energy from solid hydrocarbon fuels comprising conveying a solid hydrocarbon fuel through a reactor substantially filled with CO.sub.2 and raising the temperature within the reactor to at least about 400.degree. C. whereby in the substantial absence of air the solid hydrocarbon fuel reacts endothermically with CO.sub.2 to form CO, conveying the relatively light CO and other accompanying and formed gases from the top of said reactor to a combustion chamber for exothermic reaction of the CO gas with O.sub.2 to form CO.sub.2 and to generate both heat and gas pressure energy and recycling at least a portion of the gases exiting from said combustion chamber to a reactor for further reaction with solid hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A centrifuge for treatment of fluids is provided. The centrifuge comprises a stationary vessel, a stationary pipe passing through the stationary vessel, a baffle disk fixedly mounted on the stationary pipe, a rotating drum mounted on and rotatable about the stationary pipe inside the stationary vessel and divided by the baffle disk into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is provided with outlet means and further comprises drive means to impart a rotary motion to the drum. The stationary pipe is divided into two mutually sealed-off sections, an inlet section and an outlet section, both of which pipe sections are perforated over that part of their respective length, which is located within said rotating drum.