Abstract: A liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel in liquid phase is passed through the center conduit of an annulus-type burner at a linear velocity of one foot per second and below. Simultaneously, a gaseous mixture of substantially pure oxygen and steam is passed through the annulus passage. Upon impact between the two reactant streams at the tip of the burner, atomization of the liquid fuel takes place in the reaction zone of a free-flow noncatalytic partial oxidation gas generator. Mixtures of H.sub.2 and CO are produced thereby unexpectedly containing 25 percent less entrained particulte carbon than that which is produced under similar conditions but with liquid fuel velocities of about 20 feet per second. The gaseous mixtures produced may be used as synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas.

Abstract: Production of a gas suitable for use as a fuel or for conversion into a fuel and simultaneous production of a gas saturated with steam suitable for use as feed to a shift conversion zone.

Abstract: Sulfur compounds contained in fuel gases produced from the gasification of coal or petroleum residua are removed at above about 1600.degree.F temperature by contacting the gas with an absorbent material comprising a strong, macroporous particulate solid support containing molten metal carbonate, such as potassium carbonate, within its pores. Following such contacting and reaction of the sulfur compounds in the hot gas with the supported metal carbonate absorbent, it is regenerated by being contacted at high temperatures with steam and CO.sub.2 to remove the sulfur, which is recovered as H.sub.2 S. The metal carbonate absorbent material is reused by again contacting it with the hot fuel gas for sulfur removal, after which the sulfur-free fuel gas is burned in a combustion process such as a gas turbine to produce power.

Abstract: The non-catylic steam reformation system is provided whereby the hydrocarbon is continually decomposed in the presence of superheated steam which serves to fix the product gases. The reactants are held at a high temperature and the reaction controlled to continuously achieve an equilibrium between thermal cracking of the hydrocarbon and the oxidation of resultant coke deposits by the superheated steam so that there is a substantially constant coke inventory.

Abstract: A continuous catalytic gasification of heavy hydrocarbon oils with recirculated fluidized catalyst bed. More particularly, it relates to such a process for the gasification in which solid fluidized catalyst having an average particle size of 0.05 to 2mm is recirculated through reaction and regeneration columns in a dense fluidized state, and wherein a heavy hydrocarbon feed stock is contacted with the fluidized catalyst and thermally decomposed and gasified at a temperature of 650.degree. to 1,000.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for recovering particulate carbon from the effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation synthesis gas generator by scrubbing the effluent gas with water in a scrubbing zone to form a carbon-water dispersion, mixing said dispersion in mixing and separating zones with a light liquid hydrocarbon fuel fraction extractant to produce a clarified water layer and a carbon-liquid hydrocarbon fuel dispersion, separating and recycling said clarified water to said scrubbing zone; separating said carbon light liquid hydrocarbon fuel dispersion and introducing same into a centrifugal separation zone; separately withdrawing from said centrifugal separation zone a thick stream of carbon-liquid hydrocarbon fuel dispersion and a separate thin stream of carbon-liquid hydrocarbon fuel dispersion; degasifying said clean centrifugal stream and introducing said thin centrifugal stream into said mixing and separating zone as a portion of said light liquid hydrocarbon fuel extractant, intoducing said thick stream of carbon-

Abstract: A process for recovering particulate carbon from the effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation synthesis-gas generator by scrubbing the effluent gas with water in a scrubbing zone to form a carbon-water dispersion, by mixing said dispersion with a liquid organic extractant comprising a mixture of the liquid organic by-products from the oxo or oxyl process so as to produce a clarified water layer and a carbon-extractant dispersion, by separating and recycling said clarified water to said scrubbing zone, and by introducing part or all of said carbon-extractant dispersion to said gas generator as at least a portion of the generator feedstock.

Abstract: Heat is supplied to chemical reactions, especially reactions involving the cracking of hydrocarbons for producing gas, by the combustion of fuels with heated combustion air followed by a heat exchange extraction of sensible heat from the flue gases produced by the combustion for heating air for the combustion. The hot reaction product is at least partly air cooled and the resulting heated cooling air is passed at least partly through the air preheater before the air is used as heated combustion air.

Abstract: A process for recovering particulate carbon from the effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation synthesis gas generator by scrubbing the effluent gas with water in a scrubbing zone to form a carbon-water dispersion, by mixing said dispersion in a mixing zone with liquid organic extractant comprising a mixture of the liquid organic by-products from the oxo or oxyl process, optionally in admixture with a light liquid-hydrocarbon fuel fraction, to produce a clarified water layer and a carbon-extractant dispersion, by separating and recycling said clarified water to said scrubbing zone, by separating said carbon-extractant dispersion and introducing same into a fractional-distillation zone in admixture with fresh liquid-hydrocarbon fuel feedstock, by recycling a light fraction from said distillation zone to said mixing zone as said liquid organic extractant, and by introducing a pumpable bottoms carbon slurry from said distillation zone into said synthesis-gas generator as at least a portion of the fuel.

Abstract: Unreacted carbon produced during the partial oxidation of fossil fuel is removed from the reactor gaseous effluent with water, resulting in a carbon-water slurry. The carbon-water slurry is concentrated to about five to seven percent by weight of carbon mixed with fuel and injected into the reactor for the dual purposes of utilizing the carbon contained in the slurry as the feedstock for the partial oxidation process and the water as a temperature moderator for the reactor.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are thermally gasified with oxygen and water vapor as gasifying agents under a pressure of at least 3 kilograms per square centimeter and at temperatures in the range of about 1,000-1,500.degree.C in a reactor having supply conduits for the hydrocarbons, the gasifying agents, and an inert purging gas. The hydrocarbon and gasifying agents supply conduits are opened and closed by suitable valves and means are provided for scrubbing the product gas which contains mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Opening and closing of the supply conduit valve in controlled sequences during out-of-normal operation of the gasification plant, particularly during periods of start-up and shut-down is accomplished by a permanently wired electric circuit initiated by an operator which causes an automatic performance of successive control actions.

Abstract: A process for the production of a gas having a methane content between 40 and 99% by volume from a gas mixture which contains hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and at least 20% by weight of carbon monoxide which comprises the following steps:A. humidifying the gas mixture by mixing water vapor therewith,B. subjecting the humidified gas mixture to a partial catalytic conversion so as to reduce its content of carbon monoxide to between 10 and 20% by volume,C. desulfurizing the partially converted gas mixture,D. subjecting the desulfurized gas mixture to a first catalytic methanation step,E. cooling and dehumidifying the resulting gas mixture,F. reheating the said cooled and dehumidified gas mixture and subjecting it to a second catalytic methanation step, andG.

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 process and apparatus is described for producing a hydrogen rich gas by introducing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel in the form of a spray into a partial oxidation region and mixing with a mixture of steam and air that is preheated by indirect heat exchange with the formed hydrogen rich gas, igniting the hydrocarbon fuel spray mixed with the preheated mixture of steam and air within the partial oxidation region to form a hydrogen rich gas. The apparatus for performing the process is in the form of a bell-shaped chamber which consists of an open cylinder wherein a partial oxidation reaction takes place. An air pasageway and a pipe for injecting water into the passageway are provided for forming a steam-air mixture. The air is preheated indirectly by the heat generated as a result of igniting a hydrocarbon fuel spray and thus the water is converted into steam when injected into the preheated air.

Abstract: The disclosed process provides for the production of a desulfurized fuel gas from a sulfur-containing fuel oil by absorption, in a first reaction zone, of the sulfur contaminants with a calcium oxide-containing material, which material is then further treated to render it environmentally stable without producing a sulfur-rich gas process stream. The spent limestone from the oil gasifier is reacted with an oxygen-containing gas in a second reaction zone for conversion of the calcium sulfide to calcium sulfate and the sulfated material is then transferred to a third reaction zone wherein it is reacted with carbon dioxide for conversion of the calcium oxide to calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A partial combustion process wherein a substantial portion of the soot formed in the combustion reactor is separated from the crude gas, e.g., by hot cyclones, and burned in a separate combustion zone with an excess of oxygen, optionally in the presence of steam, to yield a hot gas containing oxygen, carbon dioxide and water. This hot gas product, dependent on the ash content of the hydrocarbon feed is then subject to an optional solids removal step prior to its introduction into the partial combustion reactor where the oxygen contained therein supplies at least a portion of the oxidant requirement for partial oxidation and the carbon dioxide and water present therein are substantially converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon gasification reaction under normal operation reacts hydrocarbons with oxygen and water vapor under elevated pressures and temperatures to produce a product gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The reactor is provided with a burner through which the hydrocarbons to be gasified are sprayed under pressure, preferably through a burner lance. For interrupting normal reactions and holding the reactor at a desired temperature, the hydrocarbons are fed at a lower rate than during normal operation together with water vapor under a higher pressure than the hydrocarbons. This mixture is fed through the reactor burner which is used for normal operation of the reactor thereby atomizing the hydrocarbons/water vapor mixture. During interrupted operation, air is supplied to the reactor, preferably into the burner chamber thereof.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for producing a hydrogen rich gas by injecting air and hydrocarbon fuel at one end of a cylindrically shaped chamber to form a mixture, igniting the mixture to provide hot combustion gases, by partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon fuel. The combustion gases move away from the ignition region to another region where water is injected to be turned into steam by the hot combustion gases. The steam which is formed mixes with the hot gases present to yield a uniform hot gas whereby a steam reforming reaction with the hydrocarbon fuel takes place to produce a hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: The gaseous mixture obtained from the partial oxidation of coal and/or heavy oil is desulfurized. Thereafter, the gaseous mixture is admitted into a reactor wherein it simultaneously undergoes a conversion reaction and a methanization reaction. The reactions take place at a temperature between 280.degree. and 500.degree.C and at a pressure between 3 and 60 atmospheres in excess of atmospheric pressure. The reactions proceed catalytically in the presence of conventional catalysts. After having been subjected to the reactions, the gaseous mixture is conveyed to a scrubber for the removal of carbon dioxide. A gas containing at least 80 percent by volume of methane is obtained.

Abstract: In producing cracked gas and cracked oil by thermally cracking a heavy hydrocarbon within a reactor in which a granular solid, steam and oxygen form a fluidized bed or moving bed, a process which is characterized in that the heavy hydrocarbon is supplied to the upper portion of the reactor and part of the granular solid is discharged from the bottom of the reactor and thereafter fed again to the upper portion of the reactor, to thereby maintain the upper portion at a temperature of not higher than 550.degree.C.

Abstract: An effective and economical supply of energy from residual oil for power generation can be obtained by a sequential process of partial combustion of a crude or residual oil such as Bunker C and other high sulfur stocks, in the presence of air and steam in a fluidized bed of inert particles followed by a fluidized bed heat exchange for the production of steam and control of solids build-up, the solids-free gas being desulfurized by commerical processes and thence being available for combustion for gas turbine operation to produce transportable electrical power or other types of mechanical power such as a compressor driver. Emission levels of contaminants are within forseeable requirements and turbine maintenance problems are reduced. Coal solids can be used as a supplement to the residual oil. Alternatively, the low BTU gas can be effectively added to pipeline gas as a supplementary source of energy when dilution of high-Btu gas is permitted or used directly as a low-Btu desulfurized industrial fuel.

Abstract: Production of clean fuel gas having a high heating value by means of two interconnected free-flow noncatalytic partial oxidation gas generators. All of the particulate carbon produced in the effluent gas stream from both generators is recovered and burned as a portion of the feedstock in gas generator two to maximize the methane yield in gas generator one. At least a portion of the cooled and cleaned effluent gas from gas generator 2 is recycled to gas generator 1 as the temperature moderator. The cooled, cleaned, and purified effluent gas stream from gas generator one has a minimum heating value of 400 BTU/SCF and a minimum methane content of 5.0 mole % (dry basis).

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.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the production of substitute natural gas (SNG) from carbonaceous materials such as hydrocarbon liquids including hydrocarbon fractions and/or solid carbonaceous fuels, by non-catalytic partial oxidation of the carbonaceous materials in the presence of process generated oxygen and high pressure steam, to form a gas stream containing principally hydrogen and oxides of carbon which are suitable for catalytic conversion to methane under conditions where sufficient waste heat is recovered in the form of high pressure steam to satisfy the steam requirements for the process and that necessary to drive compressors to produce oxygen from air as required by the partial oxidiation stage. A product gas stream containing up to 99.9% methane and less than 1 ppm sulfur compounds may be obtained.