Abstract: Process for converting solid carbonaceous materials to methane, comprising (a) converting the carbonaceous material by means of a reducing gas at 300.degree.-500.degree. C. to a semi-oily phase adapted to be pumped and atomized, (b) heating falling droplets of said semi-oily phase to a temperature of 700.degree.-1600.degree. C. with hot solid particles in downward jets in the presence of reducing gas, under a presssure above 20 bars, (c) separating the solid particles of large size (d), heating them and feeding them back to step (b), (e) cooling the remaining fraction consisting of gas and solid particles of small size by means of a cold reducing gas and separating methane therefrom, and (f) treating the remaining solid phase of fine particles with oxygen and steam to produce a reducing gas fed back to steps (a) and (b).

Abstract: Solid fuels are gasified in a fixed bed with gasifying agents passed through the fixed bed from below. The gasification residues are withdrawn as solid ash or as liquid slag under the fixed bed. The reactor is charged with solid fuels through a lock chamber and with tar through a supply conduit. The tar is delivered to the fuel in numerous individual streams, which are distributed over the cross-section of the fixed bed.In the gasifying reactor, an inclined distributor surface is disposed over the fixed bed and has numerous passage openings for the tar and the solid fuels. The outlet end of the tar supply conduit is directed to the upper portion of the distributor surface. A tar tub having outlet openings is associated with the distributor surface and serves to receive the tar. The distributor surface is rotatable on a vertical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the conversion of fuel (solid and/or liquid) to reducing and/or synthesis gas by contacting the fuel in a fluidized conversion bed (13) with a solid oxygen donor (e.g. CaSO.sub.4) at a fuel conversion temperature (e.g. 850.degree. to 1150.degree. C.) in the presence of at least one gas/vapor phase substance such as H.sub.2 and/or H.sub.2 O and/or CO and/or CO.sub.2 which serves to promote and or mediate the transfer of oxygen from the donor to the fuel and preferably in the absence of non-reactive gases (e.g. N.sub.2) whereby the fuel is converted to a reducing and/or synthesis gas product by (inter alia) partial oxidation employing the oxygen of the solid oxygen donor, the latter being reduced (e.g. CaS). The reduced donor is exothermically oxidized in a fluidized oxidation bed (35) by contact with an oxygen-containing gas (e.g. air) and re-used for converting further quantities of fuel. Moieties (e.g.

Abstract: A portion of higher O.sub.2 content lignite or brown coal is mixed with bituminous coal to provide exothermic conditions and reduce extraneous heat to the liquefaction reactor. In addition, with a crude oil carrying stream for the coal to the reactor there can be conversion at the controlled heating of 380.degree. to 400.degree. C., and in the presence of H.sub.2 and CO at 100 to 200 atmospheres a maximizing of distillate from the crude and a high conversion of coal to liquified distillate.

Abstract: Recovering liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons from solid raw materials containing hydrocarbons such as oil shale or coal by treating with a solvent oil at a temperature of 610.degree. K.-690.degree. K. and under pressure in the presence of hydrogen. The oil solvent is introduced into a heated vessel in vapor form. The raw material is introduced into the heated reaction vessel at a temperature below the condensation temperature of the oil to cause the oil vapor to condense at the surface of the raw material. The reaction vessel is heated to cause the raw material leaving the reaction vessel to be at a temperature above the condensation temperature of the oil at the pressure prevailing in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An improvement in the fixed-bed pressure gasification of coal is described. The improvement includes removing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon (e.g., tar) from the raw gaseous fuel produced in the gasification process and introducing the the removed hydrocarbon directly into the interior of the coal bed below the devolatilization zone and at or above the maximum-temperature location in the bed.

Abstract: Dispersions comprising water and particulate solids i.e. carbon and ash are produced in at least one gas cooling or scrubbing zone by quench cooling or scrubbing the raw gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator with water. The dispersions are resolved by liquid extraction in a decanting zone to produce a water layer containing carbon, dissolved gas, and ash, and also a separate dispersion comprising carbon, extractant, and water. Solids-free water, liquid extractant and uncondensed gases are then separated from each other in a distillation and separation operation. Water is removed from a separation vessel in said operation and introduced on to a stripping plate of a flash column containing at least one stripping plate. The solids-containing water from the decanting zone is flashed below said stripping plate and a portion is converted into steam. The steam passes up through holes or bubble caps in the stripping plate and is dispersed through the water contained on said plate.

Abstract: Dispersions comprising water and particulate solids i.e. carbon and ash are produced in at least one gas cooling or scrubbing zone by quench cooling or scrubbing, or both the raw gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator with water. Advantageously, the water may be reclaimed by the subject process. In one embodiment, the carbon-water dispersion containing any ash is mixed with a liquid organic extractant and a liquid aqueous emulsion. The emulsion breaks up, and in a decanting operation a carbon-extractant-water dispersion containing gaseous impurities separates out and floats on a dilute bottoms water layer containing gaseous impurities and some solids. The carbon-extractant-water dispersion is mixed with a heavy liquid hydrocarbon and introduced into a distillation column.

Abstract: A single reactor is used for gasifying solid fuels of a wide range of particle sizes without first comminuting the particles to a common size. The larger particles are gasified on a fixed bed, and the smaller ones are gasified on a fluidized bed. In the reactor, the fluidized bed is arranged above the fixed bed and gases rising from the fixed bed help to fluidize the fluidized bed. In addition, a dust gasification region can be provided above the fluidized bed.

Abstract: Dispersions comprising water and particulate solids i.e. carbon and ash are produced in at least one gas cooling or scrubbing zone by quench cooling or scrubbing the raw gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator with water. The dispersions are resolved by liquid extraction in a decanting zone to produce a water layer containing carbon, dissolved gas, and ash, and also a separate dispersion comprising carbon, extractant, and water. Solids-free water and liquid extractant are then separated from said dispersion in a distillation zone. This water is introduced on to a stripping plate of a flash column along with solids-free recycle condensate from the flash column. The solids-containing water from the decanting zone is flashed below said stripping plate and a portion is converted into steam. The steam passes up through holes or bubble caps in the stripping plate and is dispersed through the water contained on said plate.

Abstract: Dispersions comprising water and particulate solids i.e. carbon and ash are produced in at least one gas cooling or scrubbing zone by quench cooling or scrubbing, or both the raw gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator with water. Advantageously, the water may be reclaimed by the subject process. In one embodiment, the carbon-water dispersion containing any ash is mixed with a liquid organic extractant and a liquid aqueous emulsion. The emulsion breaks up, and in a decanting operation a carbon-extractant-water dispersion containing gaseous impurities separates out and floats on a dilute bottoms water layer containing gaseous impurities and some solids. The carbon-extractant-water dispersion is mixed with a heavy liquid hydrocarbon and introduced into a distillation column.

Abstract: A slurry of coal solids or similar carbonaceous material substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles is prepared for delivery to any desired place of use by introducing particulate coal and a suitable carrier liquid into a slurry preparation zone; passing a stream of slurry from the slurry preparation zone to a liquid-solids separator; returning a concentrated slurry stream from the separator to the slurry preparation zone; and passing a substantially clarified liquid stream from the separator to an elutriation zone, which communicates with and extends downward from the slurry preparation zone, in such a manner as to form an upward directed current in the elutriation zone.

Abstract: A process for the gasification of carbonaceous materials to produce a high B.T.U. gaseous product is disclosed. The process includes the partial oxidation of a fluid hydrocarbon to produce a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, followed by contacting the gaseous mixture with a relatively cool, finely-divided carbonaceous solid material. The resulting gas-solid mixture is then passed along with a carbonaceous feed into a high velocity transfer line reactor furnace, and the solid material is removed from the gas-solid mixture which emerges from the reactor furnace. The present invention is particularly well suited for the hydrogasification of high boiling, carbon-rich feedstocks such as reduced crude oils.

Abstract: A process for the gasification of oil containing finely dispersed solids, e.g., oil from tar sands, by partial combustion in a hollow reactor is disclosed in which process the gaseous oxidant is introduced into the reactor under flow conditions characterized by a relatively large axial velocity component as compared with the tangential flow component resulting in a relatively long flame.

Abstract: A partial oxidation burner and process for the manufacture of synthesis gas, reducing gas and other gas mixtures substantially comprising H.sub.2 and CO. A hydrocarbon, oxygen-rich gas and, optionally, H.sub.2 O or some other temperature moderator are introduced into the reaction zone of a synthesis gas generator in which, by partial oxidation at an autogenous temperature in the range of about 1700.degree. to 3500.degree.F. and a pressure in the range of about 1 to 250 atmospheres, said synthesis, fuel, or reducing gas is produced. For example, a hydrocarbon is introduced into the reaction zone by way of the inner assembly of a novel multitube burner, and a mixture of oxygen-rich gas and steam is passed through a coaxial conduit disposed about the outside of said inner assembly. Said inner assembly comprises a central conduit of circular cross-section, having a plurality of parallel open-ended tubes extending downstream from the exit end of said central conduit and in communication therewith.