Abstract: A method of modifying reformate gas composition downstream of the reformer so that it remains in a carbon-free region, i.e. above the critical oxygen/carbon ratio even at the desired minimum operating temperature. This is accomplished by using staged partial oxidation in a partial oxidation chamber downstream of the reformer. A small amount of air (or oxygen) is added. The net result is an increase in the oxygen/carbon ratio and, thus, a lowering of the required temperature for soot-free operation. Immediately downstream of this partial oxidation chamber, heat can be removed to cool the gas prior to a second stage of partial oxidation. A second stage partial oxidation chamber produces additional water and further increases the oxygen/carbon ratio and further lowers the required gas temperature for soot-free operation.

Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of olefinically unsaturated nitrites from a process stream produced by the ammoxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising contacting the process stream comprising olefinically unsaturated nitrile with an aqueous quench liquid in a quench apparatus to produce a gaseous quench effluent comprising olefinically unsaturated nitrile; contacting the gaseous quench effluent with a liquid comprising water in an absorber apparatus to form an aqueous mixture comprising absorbed olefinically unsaturated nitrile; withdrawing from the absorber apparatus a side-draw stream comprising water and a bottoms stream comprising olefinically unsaturated nitrile; introducing the bottoms stream to a first distillation column where the bottoms stream is distilled in an extractive distillation to form a top fraction comprising olefinically unsaturated nitrile, and directing the side-draw stream comprising water to the upper portion of the first distillation column to assist with the extra