Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved process and apparatus for the production of high purity hydrogen by steam reforming. The apparatus is an integrated flameless distributed combustion-membrane steam reforming (FDC-MSR) or reactor for steam reforming of a vaporizable hydrocarbon to produce H2 and CO2, with minimal CO, and minimal CO in the H2 stream. The flameless distributed combustion drives the steam reforming reaction which pro-vides great improvements in heat exchange efficiency and load following capabilities. The reactor may contain multiple flameless distributed combustion chambers and multiple hydrogen-selective, hydrogen-permeable, membrane tubes. The feed and reaction gases may flow through the reactor either radially or axially. A further embodiment of the invention involves producing high purity hydrogen by dehydrogenation using an integrated FDC-membrane de-hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: The invention is a process for quenching a first synthesis gas mixture containing synthesis gas, molten flyash, water, and carbon dioxide and producing additional synthesis gas consisting of (a) passing the first synthesis gas mixture into a first quench zone; (b) introducing into the quench zone a mixture of pulverized coal in a nitrogen or carbon dioxide carrier gas; (c) endothermically reacting the pulverized coal with the water and the carbon dioxide in the synthesis gas mixture thus producing additional synthesis gas consisting of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and wherein the additional synthesis gas is admixed with the first synthesis gas mixture to form a second synthesis gas mixture; (d) passing the second synthesis gas mixture to a second quench zone; (e) introducing into the second quench zone a cooling gas for admixture with the second synthesis gas mixture, thus cooling the second synthesis gas mixture, where the molten flyash is solidified, and thus forms a third synthesis gas mixture; and (f) pass

Abstract: Hot fluids are cooled in a heat exchanger which comprises a housing providing a passage for the hot fluid, and heat exchange surfaces arranged within the housing which surfaces provide a passage for a coolant to and from the housing such that there is no direct contact between the hot fluid and the coolant, and which surfaces are movable within the housing. The heat exchanger is very suitable for cooling synthesis gas obtained in the gasification of coal.

Abstract: A method for determining blockage of a coal gasification slag tap by observing changes in the sound pressure across the slag tap is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining blockage of a coal gasification process gasifier outlet or quench zone by observing changes in the sound pressure between the quench zone and the gasifier is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a burner for the partial combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, wherein e.g. coal and oxygen are supplied to a reactor space and heat from the combustion is transferred from the burner face by means of a heat pipe to a fluid cooled section of the burner.