Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods, systems, and compositions for preparing a solid biomass for fast pyrolysis. The method includes contacting the solid biomass with an inorganic material present in an effective amount for increasing fast pyrolysis yield of an organic liquid product (e.g., bio-oil). In various embodiments, the inorganic material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid.

Abstract: This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors, and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants, namely water and particulate solids, from hydrocarbon diluent-diluted bitumen froth (“dilfroth”) is provided to produce hydrocarbon diluent-diluted bitumen (“dilbit”), comprising subjecting the dilfroth to gravity settling in a primary settler to produce an overflow stream of primary raw dilbit, comprising bitumen containing water and some fine solids, and an underflow stream of primary tails, comprising solids, water and residual bitumen; removing the overflow stream of primary raw dilbit and subjecting it to gravity settling in a clarifier vessel for sufficient time to produce an overflow first stream of cleaned dilbit and an underflow stream of clarifier sludge; diluting the primary tails with hydrocarbon diluent and subjecting the diluted primary tails to gravity settling in a secondary settler to produce an overflow second stream of cleaned dilbit and an underflow stream of secondary tails; and removing the clarifier sludge and diluting the clarifier sludge with a hyd

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for hydrocarbon extraction from feedstock material that is or includes organic material, such as oil shale, coal, lignite, tar sands, animal waste and biomass. A retort system including at least one retort vessel may include a monolithic dome structure surrounded by a process isolation barrier, the dome structure being sealingly engaged with the process isolation barrier. The dome structure and the process isolation barrier define a retort chamber, at least a portion of which may comprise a subterranean chamber. A lower end of the dome retort structure provides an exit for collected hydrocarbons and spent feedstock material. Systems may include a plurality of such dome retort structures. A control system may be used for controlling one or more operating parameters of a retorting process performed within such a dome retort structure for extraction and collection of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to processes that integrate CO2-producing conversions of hydrocarbonaceous assets with biofuels processes that utilize CO2 photosynthesis. In some embodiments such processes involve the absorption of CO2 in an absorption liquid. In some such embodiments such absorption is carried out in an absorption tower. In some other such embodiments, there is a subsequent desorption of the CO2. Generally, at least some of the CO2 captured by the absorption liquid is used to grow microbes or diatom species.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to processes that integrate CO2-producing conversions of hydrocarbonaceous assets with biofuels processes that utilize CO2 in photosynthesis. In some embodiments, such processes involve the absorption of CO2 in an absorption liquid. In some such embodiments, such absorption is carried out in an absorption tower. In some other such embodiments, there is a subsequent desorption of the CO2. Generally, at least some of the CO2 captured by the absorption liquid is used to grow microbes or diatom species.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a novel process for reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from a coal and/or biomass liquefaction facility by utilizing a steam methane reformer unit in the complex designed to produce additional hydrogen which can be thereafter utilized in the process, as required for the plant fired heaters (including the SMR furnace), and for the production of plant steam. The plant light ends (C1, C2, etc.), which are normally utilized as fuel gas streams are the primary feeds to the SMR Unit along with the tail gas purge from a gasification complex within the facility.

Abstract: A system for producing petroleum products from oil shale includes one or plural kiln lines made up of plural series-connected, indirect-fired, inclined rotary kilns. Plural kiln lines are operated for parallel processing. Oil shale is advanced through kilns in succession and exhausted from each kiln line substantially free of hydrocarbons. Successive kilns along the advancement of oil shale are maintained at successively higher temperatures. A fuel distinct from hydrocarbons in oil shale, such as syngas from a gasifier or hydrogen gas from a separator, drives pyrolysis to extract hydrocarbons. A refining unit located proximate to the kiln lines upgrades extracted hydrocarbons into petroleum products and separates the petroleum products by criteria. A heat extraction unit recovers heat from exhausted oil shale for reuse in kilns. A method involves drying oil shale followed by heating dry oil shale in successively hotter pyrolysis environments.

Abstract: A process is disclosed process for converting a solid or highly viscous carbon-based energy carrier material to liquid and gaseous reaction products, said process comprising the steps of: a) contacting the carbon-based energy carrier material with a particulate catalyst material b) converting the carbon-based energy carrier material at a reaction temperature between 200° C. and 450° C., preferably between 250° C. and 350° C., thereby forming reaction products in the vapor phase. In a preferred embodiment the process comprises the additional step of: c) separating the vapor phase reaction products from the particulate catalyst material within 10 seconds after said reaction products are formed; In a further preferred embodiment step c) is followed by: d) quenching the reaction products to a temperature below 200° C.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving improved throughput capacity of indirectly heated rotary kilns used to produce pyrolysis products such as shale oils or coal oils that are susceptible to decomposition by high kiln wall temperatures is disclosed. High throughput is achieved by firing the kiln such that optimum wall temperatures are maintained beginning at the point where the materials enter the heating section of the kiln and extending to the point where the materials leave the heated section. Multiple high velocity burners are arranged such that combustion products directly impact on the area of the kiln wall covered internally by the solid material being heated. Firing rates for the burners are controlled to maintain optimum wall temperatures.

Abstract: A tar sand volatilizer system thermally removes petroleum crude oil from tar sands or shale oil. A series of heated augers or thermal screws are used to elevate material temperature gradually using conductive heat transfer. The thermal screws blades and auger case receive a heated fluid. The screws are driven by variable speed drive systems. The unit is sized for any throughput rate desired. Hot clean material discharges into a rotary cooler and re-hydrator unit. The exhaust gases are pulled through a high temperature filter collector for particulate removal. The particulate free petroleum vapor laden hot gas exits the filter house into a multi stage condenser system with water chillers where the vapor temperature is gradually cooled. A microwave upgrader system processes crude oil using catalyst injected microwave technology to produce a diesel like fuel oil in a continuous process stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting kerogen oil from oil shale without adverse environmental impacts. A first plasma reactor is employed for creating a syngas from a carbon-based fuel. A turbine uses the syngas to produce electricity after the syngas' sensible heat passes through a heat exchanger to heat recycling gases used to pyrolyze the oil shale. A kiln receives the oil shale and heats the oil shale to a temperature at which hydrocarbons from the oil shale are released and captured. The hydrocarbons are sent to a distillation tower to produce a usable fuel. A second plasma reactor vitrifies the spent shale to produce an environmentally inert byproduct. The second plasma reactor is powered by electricity produced by the syngas turbine. Carbon dioxide generated by the process is captured and stored to prevent its release into the environment.

Abstract: A process for the separation of hydrocarbons from oil-containing solids comprises heating the oil-containing solids in one or several in-series operated continuous mixers by addition of hot solids to the oil-containing solids, thereby forming a mixed solids phase, wherein heating is conducted at a temperature at which most of a hydrocarbon fraction in the oil-containing solids is transferred into a gas phase in the mixer(s), wherein the mixer(s) are positioned horizontally or slightly inclined in a conveying direction and wherein the mixer gas phase is cooled simultaneously to a temperature below 400° C. before or upon exiting the mixer(s). A mixer for the process comprises a continuous mixer having at least one horizontal or in flow direction slightly sloped shaft, fitted with wear resistant stifling devices.

Abstract: A use of a foulant collector in a vessel or conduit in a paraffinic froth treatment (PFT) process. The foulant comprises asphaltenes. The foulant collectors are purposed to reduce build-up in the vessel or conduit and/or to reduce downstream foulant carry-over in the process. The surface of the foulant collectors may have an average water contact angle of less than 90 degrees. Additionally, together with such foulant collectors, a fluorocarbon polymer may be used as a surface of a vessel or conduit in the PFT process, for reducing fouling.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for unpressurized catalytic conversion of organic solids into oil, with the steps of conditioning the starting material, cracking in an oil reactor with simultaneous distilled separation of the desired hydrocarbon section, and discharging the solids obtained in the reaction, wherein conditioning of the floatable solid starting materials takes place in a micro vortex mill in an air carrier flow, and the resulting material particles are converted in the oil reactor, either directly or after temporary storage, with a dry content of ?90% and a grain size of ?100 ?m, in particular ?63 ?m. Conditioning according to the invention can be used for all types of floatable organic solids and their mixtures. After processing in the micro vortex mill, the products supplied to the oil reactor produce high product yields with shorter reaction times, thereby substantially improving the economic benefits of the process.

Abstract: A method of creating a multi-phase fuel wherein said fuel comprises a gas, a solid, a liquid solvent phase and an aqueous phase from animal waste comprising the combination of the animal waste, a solvent, and a water/alcohol solution into a fluid mixture, placing the mixture into a closed reactor, heating said reactor between about 245° C. and 385° C. for between about 5 and 70 minutes and cooling said resulting multi-phase fuel. The animal waste may be manure, mortalities, municipal waste, or chicken litter. The preferred solvent is petroleum with the preferred petroleum being diesel fuel. The final multi-phase fuel can be separated into four separate fuels: a solid fuel, an emulsified solid in the liquid solvent phase by blending the solid, the solvent and a surfactant, an aqueous phase, and the recovered liquid solvent phase. Petroleum is the preferred solvent and the separation may be any conventional means. The mixture preferably consists of 1 part by weight animal waste, about 1.

Abstract: A retort heating method for processing a feed material includes a heating chamber bound at least in part by said wall. A plurality of baffles are at least partially disposed with the heating chamber. Each baffle includes an elongated body having a top surface, at least a portion of the top surface being arched. The plurality of baffles are vertically and horizontally spaced apart so that substantially all of the feed material that vertically passes through the heating chamber is horizontally displaced as the feed material passes by the baffles. The method for oil shale processing within the retort chamber includes for heating the feed material within the heating chamber.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrocarbon-containing oils, in which a starting material containing a sugar and/or a sugar derivative is thermally cleaved, including a reaction step in which the starting material is brought into contact with a contact oil which has an initial boiling point of at least about 200° C. at a pressure of about 1013 mbar with formation of a reaction phase at a reaction temperature in the range of from about 200 to about 600° C. and a pressure in the range of from about 0.1 to about 50 bar. The process also includes a processing step in which the reaction phase is separated into a low-boiling fraction and a high-boiling fraction. At least a portion of the high-boiling fraction is recirculated into the reaction step as contact oil. The invention also relates to a system for this process which is equipped with an oilification module.

Abstract: A process relates to the energy efficient, environmentally friendly recovery of liquid and gaseous products from solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon resources, in particular, oil shale or tar sands. The process involves non-oxidative pyrolysis to recover fluid energy values, oxidative combustion to recover energy values as recoverable heat, and environmental sequestration of gases produced.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing fiberboard by preparing a fiber slurry mixture including containing cellulose fibers and water then atomizing a liquid bituminous material, such as asphalt. The liquid bituminous material is atomized by mixing it with a pressurized gas, such as compressed air, forming a mist comprising droplets of bituminous material having a diameter between 20 microns and 50 microns. A water spray solidifies the bituminous material droplets thereby forming bituminous particles which fall into the fiber slurry within the spray chamber. From there the slurry is sheared, dewatered, and dried, forming a finished fiberboard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous recycling of hydrocarbon containing used and waste materials such as plastic and polymeric waste including, for example, polyurethane, rubber wastes and the like, and in particular scrap rubber tires, are disclosed. The process is carried out under moderate temperatures and atmospheric pressure in the presence of air and a feed of liquid(s) containing oxygen. The method is characterized by the low residence time.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: A method is provided for introducing or reintroducing a gas into a slurry vessel holding a slurry comprising a liquid and solid particles and having a gas distributor for injecting a gas into the slurry, where the gas distributor includes a sparger device comprising an apertured sparger portion inside the slurry vessel, an inlet portion leading into the slurry vessel and an outlet portion leading from the slurry vessel, and a valve, external of the slurry vessel, operable to allow or deny flow from the sparger portion out through the outlet portion of the sparger device. The method comprises operating the valve to allow flow through the outlet portion of the sparger device, flushing the sparger device through the outlet portion to remove settled material which may be present in the sparger device, operating the valve to deny flow through the outlet portion of the sparger device, and introducing or reintroducing the gas into the slurry vessel through the sparger device.

Abstract: Methods for reducing potential pollutants in carbonaceous materials such as coal, lignites and the like prior to utilization such as by combustion, the invention in preferred embodiments processes such materials by resonance disintegration including inter alia subjection to rapid pressure increases and decreases to reduce the materials to particle sizes of a preferable mean value of approximately fifty microns or less. Pollutants such as sulfur, mercury and other heavy metals bound in a mineral fraction and micronized by such processing can then removed by classification techniques based on physical differences between a micronized carbonaceous fraction and the mineral fraction. Combustion of the micronized carbonaceous fraction substantially free of the mineral fraction results in emissions having reduced levels of sulfur, mercury and other toxic substances.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a residua feedstock using a short vapor contact time thermal process unit comprised of a horizontal moving bed of fluidized hot particles. The residua feedstock is preferably atomized so that the Sauter mean diameter of the residua feedstock entering the reactor is less than about 2500 ?m. One or more horizontally disposed screws is preferably used to fluidize a bed of hot particles.

Abstract: An improved fluidized coking process wherein an effective amount of a basic material, preferably an alkali or alkaline-earth metal-containing compound, is added to the coking zone to mitigate agglomeration of the coke during the coking of a heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to produce lower boiling products.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering heavy minerals from aqueous oil sand tailings, the oil sand tailings having heavy minerals, other coarse solids such as silica, fines, residual bitumen and water, including desliming the oil sand tailings in a desliming means by removing a portion of free fines and residual bitumen from the oil sand tailings; attritioning the oil sand tailings in an attritioner to remove adhered fines and residual bitumen from the heavy minerals and other coarse solids; and subjecting the deslimed and attritioned tailings to separation in a separation means to separate the heavy minerals from the other coarse solids present in the deslimed and attritioned tailings and produce a concentrated heavy minerals fraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting organic material into commercially viable products, such as burnable low sulfur engine fuels. The system of the present invention includes an anaerobic stripping reactor for processing organic materials into a bio-softened slurry, a thermobaric cracking chamber and expansion/separation tank for converting the bio-softened slurry into products, and a hydrocarbon separation system for separating the various products. An interfusion system can be provided that selectively combines various of the products to create fuels, such as diesel or gasoline. In one embodiment, the thermobaric cracking chamber operates approximately in the ranges of 350 to 600° F. and 400 to 1,200 psig. In a specific embodiment, the anaerobic stripping reactor is segregated into three areas to create buffer zones both into and out of the anaerobic stripping reactor, thus isolating a main portion of the organic material from reactive shocks.

Abstract: A tar sand volatilizer system thermally removes petroleum crude oil from tar sands or shale oil. A series of heated augers or thermal screws are used to elevate material temperature gradually using conductive heat transfer. The thermal screws blades and auger case receive a heated fluid. The screws are driven by variable speed drive systems. The unit is sized for any throughput rate desired. Hot clean material discharges into a rotary cooler and re-hydrator unit. The exhaust gases are pulled through a high temperature filter collector for particulate removal. The particulate free petroleum vapor laden hot gas exits the filter house into a multi stage condenser system with water chillers where the vapor temperature is gradually cooled. A microwave upgrader system processes crude oil using catalyst injected microwave technology to produce a diesel like fuel oil in a continuous process stream.

Abstract: A cooling method of a hydrotreating plant having a desulfurization section (1) including a furnace (12) for heating liquid to be processed, reactors (14, 15) for hydrotreating sulfur to generate hydrogen sulfide, a hydrogen sulfide absorber (19) for absorbing the hydrogen sulfide generated in the reactors (14, 15), and a compressor (21) for compressing and transferring fluid from the hydrogen sulfide absorber (19) toward the reactors (14, 15), the cooling method comprising the steps of gradually depressurizing the hydrotreating plant at the desulfurization section (1) to a pressure level at which reactor material does not embrittle and gas does not leak due to difference of mechanical thermal expansion in the plant after stopping supply of the liquid to be processed, operating the compressor (21) approximately at the maximum rotation number, and completely extinguishing burners (12A, 12B) in the furnace (12) during plant shutdown operation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for generating hydrogen from oil shale. Crushed oil shale may be placed in a chamber and combusted with carbon monoxide, oxygen and steam to form a gas stream of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The hydrogen and carbon monoxide stream may be passed through a mechanism to produce hydrogen. In one embodiment, the hydrogen and carbon monoxide stream may be passed through a catalytic converter to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen and carbon dioxide may be cooled further and passed through a scrubber to remove the carbon dioxide such that hydrogen is produced. In another embodiment, the hydrogen and carbon monoxide may be passed through fluidized beds of magnetite to produce metallic iron, carbon dioxide and water. The metallic iron may then be conveyed to another chamber, where it may be treated with steam, producing magnetite and hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for continuously extracting oil from a solid or liquid oil-bearing material comprises (a) removing air from the extraction system, (b) introducing an inert gas into the extraction system at a pressure sufficient to maintain a normally gaseous solvent in liquid state, (c) introducing an oil-bearing material into a silo, (d) passing the oil-bearing material from the to a jet pump mixing device, (e) introducing a liquified normally gaseous solvent into the jet pump mixing device, (f) mixing the oil-bearing material and the solvent in the jet pump mixing device for a time sufficient to permit complete wetting of oil-bearing material by the solvent to form a mixture, (g) heating the mixture to near supercritical conditions; (h) passing the mixture through an extractor having a screw conveyor adapted to rotate at a first rpm range and a centrifugal drum adapted to rotate at a second rpm range, (i) treating the mixture within the extractor in such a manner that supercritical temperature and pressure are at

Abstract: A process for the conversion of hydrocarbons that are solid or have a high boiling temperature and may be laden with metals, sulfur or sediments, into liquids (gasolines, gas oil, fuels) with the help of a jet of gas properly superheated between 600 and 800° C. The process comprises preheating a feed 5 in a heater 8 to a temperature below the selected temperature of a reactor 10. This feed is injected by injectors 4 into the empty reactor 10 (i.e., without catalyst.) The feed is treated with a jet of gas or superheated steam from superheater 2 to activate the feed. The activated products in the feed are allowed to stabilize at the selected temperature and at a selected pressure in the reactor and are then run through a series of extractors 13 to separate heavy and light hydrocarbons and to demetallize the feed. Useful products appearing in the form of water/hydrocarbon emulsions are generally demulsified in emulsion breaker 16 to form water laden with different impurities.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for extraction of oil and hydrocarbons from crushed hydrocarbonaceous solids, such as oil shale, involving the pyrolyzing of the crushed solids with liquid hydrocarbon and syn gas rich in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Crushed hydrocarbonaceous solids are treated with liquid hydrocarbon and hot syn gas at an elevated temperature in a rotary kiln where the crushed solids are cascaded into the hot syn gas for sufficient time to strip the volatile liquids and gases found in the solids, removing the vaporized liquids, enriched syn gas and spent crushed solids from the kiln, fractionating the vaporized liquids and enriched syn gas into the desired fractions. The enriched syn gas is particularly suited for use in combined-cycle electricity generation and in the preparation of various by-products. The process efficiently recycles heat and energy to reduce harmful atmospheric emissions and reliance on external energy sources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the outflow amount for each component of the effluent of a coal liquefying reactor consisting of vessel type reactors (16a, 16b, 16c) operated under a high temperature and a high pressure. The outflow amount for each component of the effluent is assumed, and the gas-liquid equilibrium composition of the mixture of the composition within the reaction vessel is calculated. Further, the volume flow rates of the gaseous phase and the liquid phase within the reaction vessel are calculated, and the residence time (&tgr;1G, &tgr;2G, &tgr;3G), (&tgr;1S, &tgr;2S, &tgr;3S) of each of the gaseous phase and the liquid phase is calculated on the basis of the gas hold-up within the reaction vessel calculated on the basis of the volume flow rate and the empirical formula. The outflow amount for each component of the effluent is calculated on the basis of the residence time (&tgr;1, &tgr;, . . .

Abstract: A method of converting a plastic waste into oil by decomposing the plastic waste by a reaction using water in a supercritical or near supercritical region as a reaction medium. In this method, the reaction is conducted by using a tubular continuous reactor. The present invention further provides an apparatus therefor. Moreover, the present invention provides a method of converting a plastic waste into oil by conducting the reaction after hydrogen chloride is removed by performing the pyrolysis of the plastic waste in the case that the plastic waste contain chlorine. The present invention further provides an apparatus for performing this method.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for extracting oil from oil shale. Crushed oil shale is transported into a combustion chamber, along with relatively pure oxygen and carbon monoxide which are combusted to heat the oil shale sufficiently to release petroleum hydrocarbons, leaving a retorted oil shale containing a carbon residue. The combustion phase combines with the carbon residue to generate a recurring combustion/reaction cycle in which the carbon monoxide and oxygen are combusted to form carbon dioxide while retorting the oil shale by heat, and the carbon dioxide reacts with the carbon residue in the retorted oil shale to regenerate a carbon monoxide by-product. The petroleum hydrocarbons are cooled and processed into useable oils. The carbon monoxide by-product can be re-routed back to the combustion area of the combustion chamber and reused, or used in some separate application. Heat from the released petroleum and carbon monoxide by-product can be transferred back to the combustion chamber and also reused.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of estimating ingredients of liquefaction products of coal or its analogues from a resonance spectrum thereof obtained using their solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The method comprises the first step of obtaining a resonance spectrum of coal or its analogues using a solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, the second step of determining distribution of various types of carbon having different linkage types which constitute the molecular structure of the coal or its analogues, and the third step of estimating ingredients of liquefaction products of the coal or its analogues on the basis of the determined carbon distribution.

Abstract: The invention provides an iron sulfide characterized in that it comprises FeS2, Fe1−XS, Fe3O4 and FeSO4, and that the secondary particles thereof, have a 50% volume-cumulative particle diameter of from 20 to 300 &mgr;m. The invention also provides a process for producing an iron sulfide comprising the steps of introducing (a) ferrous sulfate monohydrate having a d50 of from 20 to 300 &mgr;m and (b) not less than stoichiometric amount of at least one sulfur compound selected from elemental sulfur and hydrogen sulfide into the fluidized bed of a furnace and then fluidizing, burning, and reacting the ingredients at a temperature of from 350 to less than 630° C., a superficial velocity of 0.1 m/sec or higher, and a pressure of 1 atm or higher using air as a fluidizing gas. The present invention is useful, for example, in a process of coal liquefaction or heavy-oil hydrocracking.

Abstract: A paraffinic solvent is mixed with bitumen froth containing water and solids. Sufficient solvent is added to induce inversion when the mixture is subjected to gravity or centrifugal forces. The emulsion reports to the water phase and a dry bitumen product virtually free of inorganic solids, is obtained.

Abstract: A method for extracting bitumen from crushed mined tar sands comprising contacting the mined tar sands with a solvent in the presence of sonic energy in the frequency range of 0.5 to 2.0 kHz. Specifically, a solvent is first mixed with crushed mined tar sands and the mixture is then formed into a slurry of tar sand suspended in the solvent. Thereafter the tar sand slurry is injected into the top of a vertically disposed, substantially rectangular shaped, hollow acoustic chamber of uniform cross-section. Fresh solvent is injected into the bottom of the acoustic chamber and flows upwardly through the cell. The fresh solvent is injected into the bottom of the acoustic chamber at a rate low enough whereby the tar sand particles in the slurry fall by gravity through the upwardly flowing solvent. The tar sand particles and solvent in the acoustic chamber are subjected to acoustic energy in the frequency range of 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of plastic to produce a synthetic crude oil by means of separating a liquefied plastic into a lower boiling fraction and a higher boiling fraction containing non-distillable particulate matter which is admixed with a hydrocarbonaceous recycle stream and filtered. The filtered stream having a reduced concentration of finely divided particulate matter and the distillable lower boiling stream together with hydrogen is contacted with a hydro-demetallization catalyst in a hydro-demetallization zone. The effluent from the hydro-demetallization zone is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst in a hydrocracking zone to produce lower boiling hydrocarbons suitable for use as a synthetic crude oil and to produce gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds. A recovered hydrogen-rich gaseous stream is preferably recycled to the hydro-demetallization zone. The gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds are removed by scrubbing the hydrocracking zone effluent with an aqueous stream.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing fuel and transferring the heat produced to a particular use in a combustion system such as fuels conversion. A bed of a mixture of materials forming an unmixed combustion catalyst, which in an oxidized state is readily reducible and in a reduced state is readily oxidizable, is placed in efficient thermal contact with a heat receiver for use in the combustion system. Fuel and air are alternately contacted with the bed, whereby the fuel is oxidized, the air is depleted of oxygen, and heat is liberated. The heat is efficiently transferred to the heat receiver by careful selection of the materials of the bed such that the temperatures produced when the fuel is oxidized and when the air is depleted of oxygen are advantageous to the particular use in the combustion system.

Abstract: The invention provides a practical and efficient method and apparatus for thermally processing organic based raw materials of either primary or secondary (recycled) origin, in order to extract volatile organic vapors and to selectively produce either condensable hydrocarbon gases or, more preferably, non-condensable synthesis gases that are rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide for use as a raw material in chemical processes, or as a fuel. In particular, the invention provides a single rotary reactor having two contiguous hearth reaction areas, i.e., a drying and volatizing area and a reformation area, the areas being separated from each other by a bed-retaining refractory weir. The weir has an aperture for fluidly connecting the two hearth reaction areas of the single reactor.

Abstract: A method of forming liquid hydrocarbons from solid coal. The coal is pulverized to provide a particulate coal feed, which is then extruded to provide a hollow tube of compressed coal supported inside of a support tube. A clay feed is extruded to provide a hollow tube of compressed clay supported inside of the coal tube and a combustible fuel is burned inside of the clay tube. The temperature of combustion is sufficient to fire the extruded clay and pyrolyze the extruded coal to produce hydrocarbon gases and coal char. The support tube has holes for releasing the hydrocarbon gases, which contain suspended particles formed during combustion. The suspended particles are removed from the hydrocarbon gases to provide clean gases, which are passed through an ionizing chamber to ionize at least a portion thereof. The ionized gases are then passed through a magnetic field to separate them from each other according to their molecular weight.

Abstract: A method for producing synthetical oils and storable products of calorific energy, by co-processing waste rubber materials, especially waste tires, and coal optionally in the presence of a material containing Fe as a catalyst, comprising the steps of mixing triturated waste rubber material having a particle size of preferredly 1-5 mm, and coal having particle sizes of 0.2-1 mm, and, when used, the catalyst having a referred particle size of 0.05-0.015 mm, until obtaining a mixture, heating the mixture in a reactor to a temperature between 300.degree. C. and 500.degree. C., during 3-180 minutes, at a pressure between atmospheric pressure and 10 MPa, to enable a processing step basically consisting of a pyrolysis/hydropyrolysis. During the processing step, there is a generation of gases containing approximately 50% CO and CO.sub.2, and approximately another 50% by volume of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, and having a calorific energy between 6000 and 8000 kcal/Nm.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depolymerizing used and waste plastics, comprising a closed reactor and a circulation system the mildly heating of the reactor contents connected to the reactor, as well as to a process for depolymerizing used and waste plastics. To protect the circulation system from erosion by solid particles contained in the reactor contents, the reactor is designed so that the reactor contents drawn off into the circulation system traverse a riser section integrated into the reactor for removing fairly coarse solid particles having correspondingly high settling rate before entry into the take-off line.

Abstract: Light-weight oil having a high octane number is produced from waste plastics containing phthalic polyester and/or polyvinyl chloride at a high yield without producing a phthalic sublimate or a carbonaceous residue by pyrolyzing the waste plastics in an atmosphere of steam or a steam/inert gas mixture. The resulting pyrolyzed oil and pyrolyzed gas may be catalytically cracked in an atmosphere of steam or a steam/inert gas mixture. Dechlorination may be performed before pyrolysis is carried out. Pyrolysis is preferably carried out in the presence of at least one of iron hydroxide, hydrous iron oxide and iron oxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for thermally cracking waste polymer(s) comprising chlorinated polymers in a reactor in the presence of a fluidizing gas and a fluidized bed of solid, particulate fluidizable material at a temperature from 350.degree.-600.degree. C. to cracked products comprising a mixed vapor of lower hydrocarbons which have a chlorine content of less than 50 ppm. In the process, the cracked products emerging from the fluidized bed are passed through one or more guard beds comprising calcium oxide or a compound capable of giving rise to calcium oxide under the reaction conditions maintained at a temperature in the range from 400.degree.-600.degree. C. in such a way that the chlorine content of the product is less than 50 ppm.