Abstract: The overall conversion of coal to synthesis gas by pressurized counter-current gasification is improved by steam reforming the methane values in the gas and heating the steam reformer by means of a fluidized bed combustor fuelled by the coal fines which are too small to be employed in the gasification step. Coal can be crushed to increase the proportion of fines and/or conditions for gasifications and/or steam reforming varied so as to consume lump coal and fines in the desired ratio. The product gas may be used for methanol synthesis.

Abstract: The tendency toward ice or solid hydrate formation during cooling of a light hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon mixture such as LPG or NGL for storage or transport at sub-zero temperatures is eliminated by mixing it with aqueous methanol solution in a mixer 5, cooling the mixture in cooler 8 and thereafter separating the hydrocarbon and aqueous phase in a separator 10, the solution being chosen to be substantially insoluble in the hydrocarbon phase and freeze below the temperature to which the mixture is cooled, and at least part of the aqueous phase being recycled by pump 17 to the mixer 5 for re-use with methanol being added as required to restore its concentration in the recycling liquor towards that of the initial aqueous solution and some of the recycling liquor being removed as required to restore the quantity of circulating liquor towards its initial level.

Abstract: Dehydration of a gaseous hydrocarbon mixture containing water, using methanol as the dehydration agent, and recovery of a condensed fraction of said mixture can be achieved simultaneously and with improved use of the methanol and improved separation of the mixture, and in apparatus which can be employed on an installation such as a tanker ship which is liable to movement and/or tilting, by chilling a gaseous composition comprising the water-containing mixture and methanol in passageway 18 of a reflux exchanger 6 in which condensed liquids flow downwards in direct contact with the rising gas and are collected in a gas/liquid separator 4 from which a condensed hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase can be recovered separately; dehydrated gas being recovered from the top of the passageway.