Abstract: A system for reducing sulfur dioxide in which a vessel is provided with an inlet for receiving coal and a plurality of gas distribution nozzles for receiving the sulfur dioxide and discharging same downwardly in the lower portion of the vessel for flowing upwardly in a counterflow relation to the coal. The coal flows through a distribution device located in the hopper section of the vessel for insuring an even distribution of coal through the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a carbonaceous material to produce a gas in which the carbonaceous material and a heated inert heat exchange medium are passed into a reactor vessel for mixing and for transferring the heat from the heat exchange medium to the carbonaceous material to produce gas. An outlet opening is provided through the reactor vessel for discharging the gas and an impingement plate is disposed in the interior of the vessel and extends across the outlet opening in a spaced relation thereto in the path of the gas. As a result the gas impinges against the plate before discharging from the outlet opening to separate solid particles from the gas.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow distribution through a regeneration vessel of a mixture of a carbonaceous adsorbent material and an inert material in an adsorbent material regeneration process in which a lower, conical section is supported by a hopper portion of the vessel, and an upper, conical section extends within the vessel. A plurality of angularly spaced flow passages extend longitudinally through the device, from the upper surface of the upper section to an interior chamber of the device disposed within the hopper, which is in fluid communication with the discharge of the vessel. The longitudinal axis of each passage is inclined at an angle of between 55.degree.-90.degree. relative to a base plane of the device, with 70.degree. being a preferred value.