Abstract: A nitrogen-rich inert gas mixture is produced by the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous feed containing substantially no metals nor noncombustible materials with air in a free-flow, unpacked, refractory-lined gas generator at a temperature in the range of about 1300.degree. to 3000.degree. F. and a pressure in the range of about 1 to 250 atmospheres. The product gas will comprise a mixture of nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide and may contain small amounts of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, depending on the O/C atomic ratio selected. The atomic ratio of free oxygen in said air to carbon in said hydrocarbonaceous fuel is in the range of about 1.7 to stoichiometric, or slightly less than stoichiometric. By operating at this level of O/C atomic ratio, the H.sub.2 + CO content of the product gas may be minimized or deleted, substantially all of the particulate carbon may be oxidized, substantially no NO.sub.x is produced, and the product gas contains substantially no free oxygen.

Abstract: An improved continuous partial oxidation process for producing clean synthesis or fuel gas from a hydrocarbonaceous fuel feed is disclosed wherein the effluent gas stream from the reaction zone of the gas generator is simultaneously cooled and cleaned by first discharging the gas stream directly into a relatively large body of hot liquid hydrocarbon immersion fluid contained in an immersion vessel, and second by scrubbing with by-product water obtained subsequently in the process in a nozzle scrubber. The process gas stream is optionally cooled and passed into a gas-liquid separator where any condensed by-product noxious water and any C.sub.5 -C.sub.10 liquid hydrocarbons are separated from each other and from the clean product gas stream. By-product noxious water is disposed of without polluting the environment by recycling a portion of it to the gas generator as the temperature moderator.

Abstract: An improved continuous partial oxidation process for producing clean synthesis or fuel gas and by-product steam from a hydrocarbonaceous fuel feed is disclosed wherein hot gases from the process are simultaneously cooled and cleaned by direct contact with hydrocarbon oil. Thus, the effluent gas stream from the reaction zone of the gas generator is cooled and cleaned by discharging the gas stream directly into a relatively large body of hot liquid hydrocarbon immersion fluid. For example, the immersion fluid may be a dispersion of liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel such as petroleum oil and particulate carbon which is contained in a separate immersion vessel. A portion of the hot immersion fluid is continuously removed from the immersion vessel and cooled to a temperature in the range of about 300.degree. to 850.degree. F. but above the dew point of the water in the process gas stream in an external heat exchanger, such as a steam generator. High pressure by-product steam may be produced thereby.

Abstract: An improved continuous partial oxidation process for producing clean synthesis or fuel gas from a hydrocarbonaceous fuel feed is disclosed wherein hot gases from the process are simultaneously cooled and cleaned by direct contact with hydrocarbon oil. Thus, the effluent gas stream from the reaction zone of the gas generator is cooled and cleaned by discharging the gas stream directly into a relatively large body of hot liquid hydrocarbon immersion fluid. For example, the immersion fluid may be a dispserion of liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel such as petroleum oil and particulate carbon which is contained in a separate immersion vessel. A portion of the immersion fluid is continuously removed from the immersion vessel and is cooled in an external cooler to a temperature in the range of about 300 to 850.degree. F but above the dew point of the water in the process gas stream.

Abstract: In the subject partial oxidation process for the continuous production of gaseous mixtures comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide separate streams of a free-oxygen-containing gas are simultaneously passed through the center conduit and through the outer annular passage of a double-annulus-type burner while a liquid hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, optionally in admixture with a temperature moderator, is simultaneously passed through the intermediate annular-passage. In one embodiment, a dispersion of petroleum oil in steam is passed through the intermediate annular passage of the burner at a velocity which is greater than the velocity of the two separate streams of oxygen which are passed respectively through the central conduit and through the outer annular-passage. Combustion efficiency may be thereby improved.

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: 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).