Abstract: A process, having high thermal efficiency, is provided for the production of substitute natural gas from fossil fuels such as crude oil, by non-catalytic hydrogenation. High thermal efficiency is obtained by using cryogenic systems for separating hydrogen from (a) the product of the hydrogenation reaction and (b) from products produced by partial oxidation in the production of hydrogen required for the hydrogenation reactions. Other products from the partial oxidation reaction may be used either as fuel or as feedstocks for catalytic steam reforming to produce SNG.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process are provided whereby constituents of liquid mixtures eg non-distillate oils are vaporized under non-decomposing conditions in the presence of gases. Liquid components form a stream comprising the gas, vaporized and liquid constituents of the mixture are removed from the stream. Process may be employed to provide a vaporized feedstock for the non-catalytic thermal hydrogenation of hydrocarbon-based materials in the production of methane containing gases wherein the gas used for vaporization is the same as that used for the subsequent hydrogenation steps.