Abstract: A process is disclosed for gasifying solid carbonaceous material at elevated temperature and pressure to produce a gas consisting of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which comprises forming a slurry at atmospheric pressure of the carbonaceous material with a liquid having a specific gravity of from 1.1 to 1.9, a boiling temperature of at least 70.degree. F., a latent heat of vaporization less than about 200 BTU per pound, a critical temperature which is less than the incipient coking temperature of the carbonaceous material, a stability at temperatures up to 600.degree. F., an essentially inert chemical reaction with the carbonaceous material at temperatures less than about 600.degree. F., an immiscibility with water or solubility in water at no more than 5%, and a dissolving ability for hydrogen sulfide at temperatures of from -40 to 250.degree. F.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-stage process for reducing sulfur dioxide to sulfur or to hydrogen sulfide whereby a hydrogen-containing gas from a high temperature gasifier is used. In the first stage of the process, the gasifier exit gas is contacted at a minimum temperature of about 1800.degree. F. with recycle gas containing SO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, COS, mercaptans, and CS.sub.2 in order primarily to reduce the organic sulfur compounds, i.e., COS, mercaptans, and CS.sub.2, which heretofore would tend to accumulate in prior known methods employing a carbonaceous fuel for the reduction of SO.sub.2. Gas leaving the first stage is then sent to a second stage wherein SO.sub.2 from an external source is added. Reduction of sulfur dioxide occurs in the second stage at a temperature of about 2000.degree. F. minimum, with the surplus heat of reaction removed by the generation of steam. Gas leaves the second stage and is thereafter cooled with simultaneous generation of steam and selective condensation of sulfur vapor.

Abstract: An increased amount of carbon monoxide is produced in a process for the gasification of carbonaceous materials by employing a reverse water gas shift reaction in the process. Raw gas produced by the gasification of carbonaceous materials contains predominantly carbon monoxide and hydrogen along with hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, water and methane. Carbon dioxide is separated from the raw gas as is the hydrogen sulfide. Thereafter, the carbon monoxide is separated from the raw gas to yield one portion of the carbon monoxide product gas. After the removal of carbon monoxide the raw gas consists of a hydrogen-rich gas. The hydrogen-rich gas which may be purified is mixed with the previously separated carbon dioxide along with any imported carbon dioxide and along with a recycle gas from a catalytic reaction loop. This mixed gas is conveyed to a heat exchanger in the catalytic reaction loop and passed through a heat exchanger located immediately after the gasifier through which the raw product gas passes.

Abstract: Aqueous effluents from a process for gasifying carbonaceous materials may contain environmentally unacceptable compounds like hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, and compounds thereof, and dissolved salts and compounds of heavy metals and sulfur compounds. These compounds are removed from the aqueous effluents of the process for gasifying carbonaceous materials by recycling the aqueous effluents to the gasifier wherein the compounds are oxidized, reduced, or decomposed into environmentally innocuous compounds that can be released to the atmosphere or removed from the gasification process in the residue.