Abstract: A method and apparatus for the combustion of a hydrocarbonaceous material wherein an open topped trough means is provided for containing the hydrocarbonaceous material, at least one of an oxygen containing gas and a fluid fuel is introduced into a lower portion of the trough means to mix with the hydrocarbonaceous material to be combusted in the trough means, and an oxygen containing gas curtain is established around the trough means to pick up at least some combustion products rising from the open top of the trough means, circulate same around the under side of the trough means, and carry same back to the top of the trough means, whereby visible emissions are reduced and at least some particulate solids removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the combustion of a hydrocarbonaceous material wherein an open topped trough means is provided for containing the hydrocarbonaceous material, at least one of an oxygen containing gas and a fluid fuel is introduced into a lower portion of the trough means to mix with the hydrocarbonaceous material to be combusted in the trough means, and an oxygen containing gas curtain is established around the trough means to pick up at least some combustion products rising from the open top of the trough means, circulate same around the under side of the trough means, and carry same back to the top of the trough means, whereby visible emissions are reduced and at least some particulate solids removed.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry of spent drilling mud and/or produced water is diluted prior to free discharge into a body of receiving water by expelling a jet stream of such slurry into an open-ended submerged mixing conduit. The jet stream aspirates and entrains the surrounding water within the conduit and is then passed through a mixer stage prior to exiting the opposite end of the tube.

Abstract: Process for concentrating starch contained in very dilute, aqueous mixtures having, for example, a starch content of less than about 1 weight percent. The concentrated product is obtained as an aqueous mixture containing starch solids in the amount of at least about 30 weight percent, preferably about 35 to 50 weight percent. The concentrating operation involves the sequential use of a gravity settling technique, especially lamellar plate settling, to increase the starch content of the solid-liquid mixture to about 5 to 20 weight percent. This mixture can be readily removed from the settler, and further concentrated centrifugally, e.g., in a liquid cyclone, by a factor of at least about 2 to provide the desired aqueous mixture having a concentration of at least about 30 weight percent of starch solids. The latter stream can be readily and effectively handled and treated to recover relatively pure, essentially solid, food grade starch of low moisture content, e.g., less than about 10 weight percent.