Processes Patents (Class 48/197R)
  • Patent number: 5117623
    Abstract: A process for the production of power from a carbonaceous fuel comprising the steps of partially oxidizing the fuel with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas to yield a gas stream containing combustible gas and steam, quenching that stream with quench water to cool and saturate the stream, passing the stream (A) through a heat exchanger in which the stream is further cooled by heat exchange with circulating water so condensing liquid water from the stream, expanding the stream (D) by lowering its pressure and removing sulphur compounds from the stream before or after lowering its pressure, heating and resaturating the steam (E), and then burning the stream (F) in a gas turbine to produce power, wherein it is the circulating water aforesaid which is used to provide the heat for resaturating the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Enserch International Investments Limited
    Inventor: David G. Arundale
  • Patent number: 5106390
    Abstract: An improve gasification system, in which synthesis gas is produced through the operation of a fuel gas production bed comprising an upper layer (66) of organic input material, typically in the form of pellets or briquettes of substantially uniform size and configuration which in one embodiment includes toxic waste material, two intermediate layers, one intermediate layer (70) for carbonizing the input material, and the other intermediate layer (72) for partially oxidizing and substantially completely pyrolyzing the input material and a lower layer (68) of tar-free charcoal. The length of the gas production bed from the top of the upper intermediate layer to the point where gas exits from the gas production bed is approximately at least 1.5 times the diameter of the bed, but not less than 7 feet. The residence time of the input material in the intermediate layers and the lower layers is such that activated carbon may be produced and/or the toxic waste input destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: American Power and Waste Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Beierle, Mounir Mazzawi
  • Patent number: 5104419
    Abstract: A process for converting solid waste into a synthesis suitable for producing liquid fuel, comprising (a) partially oxidizing and combusting solid waste material in a closed combustion zone at a temperature of 800.degree.-1000.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: Harald F. Funk
  • Patent number: 5100642
    Abstract: A fuel composed of water, a compound in which free radicals have been generated and a solute that stabilizes the free radicals while the fuel is in the liquid state but which releases the free radicals when the fuel is sprayed (vaporized) so that the free radicals then dissociate the water to form hydrogen gas in sufficient concentration to support combustion. The most readily available compounds in which free radicals can be generated to provide the fuel are hydrocarbons and carbohydrates. Free radicals may be generated in solids (e.g., sugar) by charring and grinding the sugar then mixing with acid. Free radicals may be generated in liquids by adding an acid. Polar liquids such as alcohols, aldehydes and ketones have been found to be the most effective stabilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Orestes M. Baycura
  • Patent number: 5094669
    Abstract: In a rotary-grate gas producer operated under a pressure from 10 to 100 bars, the fuel constitutes a fixed bed, which slow descends. The mixture of gasifying agents contains water vapor and oxygen is supplied to the fixed bed through a rotary grate and through an ash layer, which is disposed on the rotary grate. In order to ensure that the ash will have a particle size in a desired range, a first pressure (p1) is measured below the rotary grate and a second pressure (p2) is measured approximately at the top of the ash layer. The pressure difference (p1-p2) is compared with a setpoint, which is associated with the current ratio of water vapor to oxygen in the mixture of gasifying agent. Said ratio is increased when the pressure difference is insufficient and the ratio is decreased if the pressure difference is excessive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Herbert, Gerhard Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5087271
    Abstract: This process pertains to a achieving high on-stream time and maintaining the temperature and composition of the raw effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator being fed simultaneously with a stream of gaseous fuel and separate stream of liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel. Two parallel oxygen streams equipped with flow transmitters and control valves are used to supply the oxygen associated with two separate and different fuel streams. Each stream of oxygen is controlled by an O.sub.2 /fuel ratio control so that if the flow rate of either stream of fuel or its related oxygen stream changes, the oxygen/carbon atomic ratio of the remaining O.sub.2 and fuel stream in the gasifier is maintained at a desired value. Further, if either fuel flow is stopped, its associated O.sub.2 flow will stop, but the remaining fuel stream and its associated O.sub.2 stream will continue to flow at the same rate with no change in the oxygen/fuel weight ratio. Complete shut down of the unit is thereby avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Stellaccio, Michael M. Dach
  • Patent number: 5076837
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering work from a nitrogen stream, wherein the nitrogen is preheated via heat exchange with hot fluid from a chemical process, which process utilizes the oxygen product of the air separation. Preferably at least a part of the expanded nitrogen is utilized to preheat at least one fluid reactant of the chemical process. The chemical process may be gasification or direct reduction of iron oxide, as well as the conversion of natural gas into synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Thomas Rathbone, John T. Lavin
  • Patent number: 5074890
    Abstract: Toxic refractory organic substances are decomposed by exposing them to an oxidizing medium and steam at a temperature in the range of 2500.degree. F. to 3200.degree. F. for a period of 5 to 500 milliseconds in a reaction chamber. The toxic refractory organic substance can be dioxins, polyhalogenated byphenyls, organophosphates, halogenated biocides, waste streams from the production of said toxic substances, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Dynecology, Incorporated
    Inventor: Helmut Schulz
  • Patent number: 5066476
    Abstract: A gas with a hydrogen content of at least 85 volume percent of partial oxidation crude gas is produced in a method including cooling of the gas after waste heat boiler of a gasifier by adding converted circulating gas in a quenching zone. The resulting gas mixture after corresponding gas treatment is subjected to a CO-conversion and then separated into a circulating gas partial stream and a product gas partial stream. The circulating gas partial stream is supplied back after a corresponding compression to the quenching zone, while the product gas partial stream after a so-called acid gas washing is subjected to a further gas treatment in correspondence with a desired use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Wetzel, Bernhard Firnhaber
  • Patent number: 5059404
    Abstract: Resonant tubes of a pulse combustor are immersed in a bed of solid particles in a reaction zone to provide indirect heat from the pulsating combustion gases to the solid particles of the bed. The bed is maintained in an agitated state by a gas or vapor flowing through the bed. Reactant materials are introduced into the agitated bed and undergo reaction at enhanced rates resulting from heat transfer coefficients at least about twice as high as those of steady flow combustors and an intense acoustic pressure level propagated from the pulsating combustor into the reaction zone. The apparatus is useful, for example, to steam reform heavy hydrocarbons and to gasify carbonaceous material, including biomass and black liquor to produce combustible gas at relatively low temperatures, with steam being usilized as the bed fluidizing medium. Black liquor gasification, utilizing sodium carbonate as bed solids, results in liquor energy and chemical content recovery without smelt production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Manufacturing and Technology Conversion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Momtaz N. Mansour, Kanda-Swamy Durai-Swamy, David W. Warren
  • Patent number: 5055181
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for obtaining liquids and gases from carbonaceous material, such as coal. The carbonaceous material is first treated with a gasification catalyst, and optionally a hydrogenation catalyst, and hydropyrolyzed for an effective residence time, below the critical temperature at which methane begins to rapidly form, to make liquid products. The resulting char is gasified in the presence of steam at a temperature from about 500.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Peter S. Maa, Martin L. Gorbaty
  • Patent number: 5050374
    Abstract: A gasification/combustion system (10) for the gasification/combustion of non-gaseous fuels with single or combinable oxidants and sulphur sorbants is described. The system (10) includes a rotary fluidized bed gasifier (12) for gasifying a non-gaseous fuel, the outlet of the gasifier (12) being connected to a gas turbine (14) through gas cleaners (46,50) for removing particles from the fuel gas, and an afterburner (16) for burning off the fuel gas to produce combustion gases for supply to a gas turbine (14). The system (10) also includes a steam cooling circuit which is provided to cool the fuel gas flow through system (10) and which includes a steam turbine (26). Embodiments of the system (10) are described with accompanying drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: John Hunter
  • Patent number: 5041144
    Abstract: The raw gas produced by gasification is cooled to temperatures from 150.degree. to 400.degree. C. and has an NH.sub.3 content of at least 0.1% by volume as it is fed to a spray drying zone. Recycle water is fed to and is entirely evaporated in the spray drying zone. The raw gas from the spray drying zone contains water vapor and is passed through a filter, in which part of the solids and of the halogen compounds are collected in a dry state. The raw gas is subsequently passed through a saturation zone, in which the raw gas is directly contacted with sprayed water and is saturated with water vapor and cooled to temperatures of 50.degree. to 90.degree. C. Water which contains salt and solids and has a pH value of 7.5 to 9.5 is withdrawn from the saturation zone and is at least partly fed as recycle water to the spray drying zone. The raw gas from the saturation zone is aftertreated for a removal of liquid droplets which contains dust and salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erhard Lath
  • Patent number: 5039394
    Abstract: A fluid coking-gasification process for converting heavy hydrocarbonaceous chargestocks to lower boiling products in which a zeolitic material is use to mitigate slagging in the gasifier, especially when the zeolite material is spent catalytic cracking catalyst. The zeolite material is added either directly into the gasifier on it is mixed with the coke passing from the heating zone to the gasification zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Tan-Jen Chen, Lloyd A. Pine
  • Patent number: 5019135
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting lignocellulosic materials contained in biomass and other feedstocks into a fuel gas. The method comprises maintaining, in a pressure vessel, at a temperature of 300.degree. C. to 450.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 100 atmospheres, lignocellulosic material and water, and amounts of alkali and reduced nickel catalysts sufficient to catalyze a reaction of the lignocellulosic material to produce a product gas composed primarily of methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: L. John Sealock, Jr., Douglas C. Elliott
  • Patent number: 5017196
    Abstract: A process for the partial combustion of finely divided coal at high temperature and pressures to make synthesis gas having entrained particles of fly ash which are separated from the gas at high pressure. The fly ash and a minor amount of entrained gas are handled in a batchwise manner to isolate a batch in a lock hopper, depressurize the batch, strip the synthesis gas from the fly ash and cool the fly ash prior to disposal. During the depressurizing steps, the kinetic energy represented by fluids flowing from the pressurized lock hopper is utilized to provide power to a pressure recovery means and do additional work. The additional work is used to aid in the pressurization of a second lock hopper. In an alternate embodiment the additional work may be used to aid in fluidizing the particulate coal flow to the burners of the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas S. Dewitz
  • Patent number: 5004592
    Abstract: The endothermic reaction of a hydrocarbon feedstock with steam and/or carbon dioxide is carried out using a double-tube reactor. In one preferred form of the reactor the catalyst is present as a coating on the outside of the inner tube. In another form inner tubes are mounted in one tube-plate and the outer tubes in a second tube plate and the tube plates are disposed across a cylindrical shell so as to define a heat exchange zone (provided with a heat source) a reactants feed zone and a products offtake zone. The heat source is preferably a burner, to be fed with the product of the endothermic reaction, followed by a secondary reforming catalyst. The apparatus makes possible processes for making raw hydrogen-containing gases with advantageous internal heat recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Alwyn Pinto
  • Patent number: 4999030
    Abstract: A process for the production of a fuel gas which includes the steps of:hydrogentation of a liquid hydrocarbon or solid carbonaceous material in the presence of air and optionally steam to produce a raw fuel gas stream comprising methane and unreacted hydrogen,gasification of a liquid hydrocarbon or solid carbonaceous material in the presence of air and optionally steam to produce a second gas stream comprising hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon oxides,removing solids therefrom from the gas streams, mixing the fuel gas stream with the second gas stream and with steam and subjecting the resulting stream to carbon monoxide shift to convert at least a portion of the carbon monoxide present to carbon dioxide with generation of hydrogen,removing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide and other acid gas from the shifted gas stream; andreacting the hydrogen in the gas stream with carbon oxides present in the gas stream to generate methane and subjecting the methanated gas stream to cryogenic separation to yield at least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler USA Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Skinner, Wieslaw M. Kowal
  • Patent number: 4999029
    Abstract: Synthesis gases are prepared by partial autothermal oxidation of liquid fuels and/or solid fuels in the presence of oxygen or oxygen-containing gases with the addition of a temperature moderator, such as steam and/or CO.sub.2, in an empty reactor space without baffles, at from 1000.degree. to 1500.degree. C. under from 1 to 100 bar, the reactants fuel and oxygen-containing gas being fed separately to the reactor, by a process in which the steam or CO.sub.2 is fed in simultaneously with the feed of the fuel, and the steam is let down through one or more nozzles into the fuel steam directly before the orifice for the fuel, let-down being effected at from 30 to 250%, preferably from 80 to 140%, of the critical pressure ratio. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Pasf Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gero Lueth, Rolf Becker, Robert K. Horn, Uwe Kempe, Wolfgang Vodrazka
  • Patent number: 4995193
    Abstract: A method of preventing the adherence of the ash to a gasifier wall in a process for gasifying petroleum coke in the gasifier by partial oxidization reaction. The petroleum coke is mixed with 10 to 30 wt % of coal based on the petroleum coke and the mixture is gasified at a gasifying temperature higher than the melting point of the ash of said coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Soga, Kazuo Okada, Noriaki Tanaka, Morio Sogame, Toshio Tsujino
  • Patent number: 4994093
    Abstract: In accordance with a method of producing of methanol synthesis gas from a partial oxidation crude gas, the gas is cooled after a waste heat boiler of a gasifier by adding a converted circulating gas in a quenching zone. The resulting gas mixture is dedusted and then separated into a product gas partial stream and a circulating gas partial stream. The product gas partial stream is supplied after corresponding gas treatment to the synthesis reactor while the circulating gas partial stream is subjected to a CO-conversion and supplied back to the quenching zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Wetzel, Bernhard Firnhaber
  • Patent number: 4987115
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing generator gas and activated carbon from solid fuels. A first gasification stage is supplied with fuel by an underfeed charging system and preheated air, the air and fuel being supplied in the same direction. In a second gasification stage and accompanied by the supply of secondary air, an intermediate gasification takes place. Finally, in a third gasification stage, the gas is reacted with glowing coke or charcoal, and the heat of the exiting gas is used for heating the air. The fuel centrally entering the first gasification stage is led from the inside to the outside and then upwards. Part of the entering fuel is precombusted in a precombustion chamber linked with the supply of the preheated air for reducing the oxygen content of the preheated air. In the intermediate gasification stage, the gas with the admixed air is passed through a Venturi nozzle or tube with a diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Inventor: Herwig Michel-Kim
  • Patent number: 4978369
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for feeding carbonaceous materials into pressurized reaction spaces where partial oxidation or hydrogenation occurs. The feed is compressed into a strand material in a rotable screw conveyor which strand is disintegrated by fluid media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignees: Veba OEL Entwicklungs-Gesellschaft mbH, Pfleiderer GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Pontow, Hans-Peter Wenning, Albert Grimminger, Jurgen Strecker
  • Patent number: 4971601
    Abstract: Synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is produced by the partial oxidation of ash-containing solid carbonaceous and/or liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel at an autogenous temperature in the range of about 20.degree. F. to 200.degree. F. below the softening temperature of the ash in said fuel, and at a pressure in the range of about 17 to 100 atmospheres to produce a raw effluent gas stream containing entrained carbon-rich fly-ash which is separated from the effuent gas stream. A fuel mixture comprising about 20 to 100 wt. % of said carbon-rich fly-ash and about 0 to 80 wt. % of a supplemental fuel is reacted by partial oxidation at an autogenous temperature of about 100.degree. F. above the ash-fusion temperature, and at a reduced pressure e.g. in the range of about 1 to 16 atmospheres and at least 16 atmospheres below the pressure in the partial oxidation reaction used to produce said carbon-rich fly-ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Mitri S. Najjar, Walter C. Gates, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4969930
    Abstract: An apparatus for gasifying solid carbonaceous material in a circulating fluidized bed reactor. Particles are separated from the product gas at least in two stages so that in the first stage mainly coarser, so-called circulating particles are separated and returned to the reactor. In the second stage fine carbonaceous and ash-containing particulates are separated from the gas and are made to agglomerate at a raised temperature. Coarser particles thus received are returned to the reactor through a return duct together with circulating particles. Agglomeration is effected in a chamber where a fluidized bed composed of coarse particles is maintained. Fine particulate material and oxygen containing gas are introduced into the free upper part of the chamber so as to form a hot flame (e.g. 1200.degree. C.). The point of the flame penetrates into the fluidized bed. The ash material contained in the fine particulate material melts, and is conducted to the bubbling fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventor: Olli E. Arpalahti
  • Patent number: 4969933
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of flyslag from the gasification of coal is described, the process being characterized, in one embodiment, by mixing of the flyslag with a residual waste stream from a coal gasification process, the wast stream containing particulate flyslag solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Edward H. Hsu, Daniel C. Baker, Charles M. Arbore
  • Patent number: 4969932
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of flyslag from the gasification of coal is described, the process being characterized, in one embodiment, by mixing of the flyslag with a cementitious material and a residual waste stream from a coal gasification process, the waste stream containing particulate flyslag solids. A composition comprising flyslag and a cementitious material, in specified proportions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Potter, Daniel C. Baker
  • Patent number: 4969931
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of synthesis gas by the partial combustion of an ash-containing fuel with an oxygen-containing gas is described, the synthesis gas formed being removed from the top of the reactor through a gas discharge pipe, and slag formed through a slag discharge at the bottom of the reactor, the process being characterized by the counter-current contact of the synthesis gas in the reactor with cold fly-slag agglomerates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Hsi L. Wu, Wilhelmus F. J. M. Engelhard
  • Patent number: 4960440
    Abstract: Process water is formed when pyrolysis gas obtained in the pyrolytic decomposition of a starting material is cooled. Due to its content of chemical compounds, it is very costly to dispose of or eliminate the process water. A process for reducing the quantity of by-products in the generation of pyrolysis gas recycles the process water to a pyrolysis reactor operating with a fluidized bed. As a result, the process water is reduced in quantity and purified in a simple manner, and the yield of pyrolysis gas is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Monika Betz
  • Patent number: 4955989
    Abstract: Particulate solid fuel is conveyed from an atmospheric container into an atmospheric lock hopper which is then pressurized by a high pressure inert gas. The fuel is passed from the pressurized lock hopper into a pressure vessel and subsequently from this vessel into a gasification reactor. In the container and the lock hopper the solid fuel is fluidized by an inert gas. In the pressure vessel synthesis gas is used for this purpose, the latter gas also being applied for the pneumatic transport of the fuel from the vessel into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Bernardus H. Mink
  • Patent number: 4954136
    Abstract: A method for cooling a hot product gas containing adhesive or fusible particles include injecting a ring-shaped jet of a cooling fluid into a gas to be cooled in a cooling zone in a flow direction of the gas, with separation of the jet into a plurality of individual cooling fluid jets with mass and penetration depths corresponding to the mass of product gas streams flowing through individual ring-shaped parts of the cooling zone. The injection speed of the cooling fluid jets are selected so as to obtain a desired penetration depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Jokisch, Adolf Linke, Hans-Christoph Pohl
  • Patent number: 4954246
    Abstract: A process for slurry-phase gasification of carbonaceous feedstock materials is provided wherein feedstock materials are combined with a liquid to form a feedstock slurry. Product gases are formed from the feedstock slurry in a gasifier reaction vessel in the presence of elevated temperatures and pressures and ultrasonic energy. Gasification catalysts may be utilized to provide increased reaction rates. The process of the present invention provides enhanced conversion of carbonaceous solids feedstock to gaseous products comprising primarily methane and carbon dioxide with some higher organic liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Dharamvir Punwani, Michael C. Mensinger
  • Patent number: 4952380
    Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced by the partial oxidation of a high silicon and sulfur-containing heavy liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel and/or petroleum coke having a nickel and vanadium-containing ash that includes calcium and sodium, in a mixture with an iron and/or copper containing additive in a vertical free-flow reaction zone lined with refractory A or a combination of refractory A and refractory B. Refractory A lining of the reaction zone comprises in wt %: Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 about 20 to 82, MgO about 5.0 to 45, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 about 0 to 10.5 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 about 0 to 6.2, CaO about 0 to 1.0, SiO.sub.2 about 0 to 2.5, and others about 0 to 1.3. Refractory B comprises in wt. %: Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 about 0 to 40, MgO about 20 to 85, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 about 0 to 16, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 about 0 to 9.0, SiO.sub.2 about 0 to 2.7, and others about 0 to 1.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Mitri Salim Najjar, Roger J. Corbeels
  • Patent number: 4950309
    Abstract: Toxic refractory organic substances are decomposed by reaction with oxygen and steam at a temperature in the range of 2500.degree. F. to 3200.degree. F. Such toxic refractory organic compounds as PCB's, may be completely destroyed without contamination of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Dynecology Incorporated
    Inventor: Helmut W. Schulz
  • Patent number: 4946476
    Abstract: Synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is produced by the partial oxidation of bituminous coal at an autogenous temperature in the range of about 2000.degree. F. to 2700.degree. F. and at a pressure in the range of about 17 to 100 atmospheres to produce a raw effluent gas stream containing entrained molten slag and carbon-rich particulate material. After cooling, course slag and carbon-rich particulate material are separated. A fuel mixture comprising about 20 to 100 wt. % of said carbon-rich particulate material and the remainder comprising a supplemental fuel is reacted by partial oxidation at an autogenous temperature of about 2000.degree. F. to 2700.degree. F. and at a reduced pressure e.g. in the range of about 1 to 16 atmospheres and at least 16 atmospheres below the pressure in the partial oxidation reaction used to produce said carbon-rich particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Mitri S. Najjar, Walter C. Gates, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4946477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement to a process for the production of methanol from synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen utilizing a three phase or liquid-phase reaction technology. The improvement to the process is the addition of relatively small amounts of water to the liquid-phase reactor thereby allowing for the use of a CO-rich synthesis gas for the production of methanol by effectuating in the same reactor the methanol synthesis and water-gas shift reactions. A portion of the unreacted synthesis gas stream from the liquid-phase reactor is separated into a hydrogen-rich component and a carbon monoxide-rich component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan T. Perka, Thomas H. Hsiung, Joseph Klosek, Robert B. Moore
  • Patent number: 4946486
    Abstract: A scrubber which dries and removes contaminants from a fluid stream (a gas-liquid stream) using as a media, particulate material which can be char obtained from a gasifier, the scrubber system processing the gas and cooling liquid combined with the gas which is obtained by reactions in the gasifier. The media is fed in a continuous stream forming a downward moving column in counterflow relationship with the gas. The gas flows upward thru the particulate media and is dried and cleaned as it contacts the media. The flow relationship is such that the cleanest and dryest media and the cleanest gas contact each other. The column of media continues downward entering a liquid scrubbing section where it is disposed below the level of the liquid. There the contaminated liquid stream, passes through the media in counterflow relationship being cleaned as it contacts the media. Both the gas and liquid components of the stream are scrubbed prior to discharge of the spent media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: H. E. Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Parker, Virgil J. Flanigan
  • Patent number: 4944771
    Abstract: A method for producing methane by hydrolysis of aluminum carbide, the aluminum carbide being formed by reduction of aluminum hydroxide/aluminum oxide with carbon derived from low grade coal in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of at least 1250.degree. C. The hydrolysis of aluminum carbide in the presence of an acid catalyst forms aluminum hydroxide and methane, and the aluminim hydroxide, along with admixed impurities, is returned to the reducing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventors: Richard T. Schneider, Frederick A. Hauck
  • Patent number: 4941890
    Abstract: Process including use of an arrangement for the gasification of fuels with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases and steam, includes a shaft-like vessel for receiving solid charging stock. A gas discharge duct is provided on the upper end of the vessel and a primary gas chamber is in connection with the shaft-like vessel on its lower end via a passage. In the primary gas chamber a burner is provided, which includes feedings for oxygen or oxygen-containing gases as well as for fuels. A trough for receiving slag is arranged below the primary gas chamber and a supporting bottoms is provided between the trough and the shaft-like vessel, reaching into the primary gas chamber, for the formation of a dumping material bed of the solid charging stock facing the burner by one dumping surface. In order to be able to gasify low-quality fuels into a high-quality product gas, the primary gas chamber includes a charging opening for charging a charging stock to be gasified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Paul Freimann, Gernot Staudinger
  • Patent number: 4938783
    Abstract: In a process for the purification of coal gasification gases, synthesis gas and fuel gas are simultaneously produced. In order to obtain a fuel gas rich in CO.sub.2, capable of handling fluctuations in demand, and to produce at the same time a highly concentrated H.sub.2 S fluid fraction, a portion of the crude gas, scrubbed to synthesis gas purity, is utilized for stripping out CO.sub.2 under pressure from scrubbing medium loaded exclusively with CO.sub.2. The partially stripped CO.sub.2 -loaded scrubbing medium is employed for the concentration of sulfur compounds in an H.sub.2 S/COS-loaded scrubbing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Ranke, Horst Weiss
  • Patent number: 4936871
    Abstract: Decribed is a method of cooling partial oxidation gas exiting at a temperature between 1,000.degree. and 1,700.degree. C. from a conically converging outlet portion of a reactor vessel into a subsequent tubular cooling zone. To prevent deposition of sticky molten impurities entrained in the gas stream on the walls in the transition region between the reactor vessel and the cooling zone, the outlet portion of the reactor vessel is provided with a ring-shaped slot for injecting at an angle between 0.degree. to 90.degree. a frustoconical stream of cooling fluid. Another ring-shaped slot is provided in the cooling zone to inject at an angle between 70.degree. to 90.degree. another frustoconical stream of cooling fluid into the cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Wilmer, Rolf Wetzel
  • Patent number: 4936873
    Abstract: The cooling of a stream of hot product gas exiting from an outlet opening of a gasification reactor is made by way of two separate partial streams of cooling fluid such as a cooling gas, vapor or liquid. The first partial stream of the cooling fluid is fed from the outside substantially in a radial direction against an outer layer of the product gas stream. The second partial stream of cooling liquid is fed axially in a counter direction to the product gas stream to impinge against a central portion thereof. In this manner the path of mixing of the product gas with the cooling fluid is substantially shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Gunter Richard
  • Patent number: 4936872
    Abstract: The process for cooling raw gas obtained from partial oxidation of carbon-containing material by way of the fluidized-bed method, the fixed-bed method or the entrained-bed method at temperatures above 700.degree. C. and pressures ranging from 1 to 120 bar, the carbon-containing material being coal, peat or any other carbon-containing solid, while the oxidizing agent is oxygen, air, water and/or another oxygen-containing matter, to provide a solution to the problem of avoiding fouling and corrosion downstream heat exchangers. This aim is achieved in that raw gas is cooled direct to temperatures ranging from 100.degree.-500.degree. C. in a downstream fluidized-bed cooler using solid additives such as sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventors: Adrian Brandl, Natarajan Thiagarajan, Heinz-Georg Schuster, Wolfgang Hillebrand
  • Patent number: 4936870
    Abstract: The process for determining and controlling the fuel mass flow in partial oxidation and gasification of a fine-grained to powdery fuel includes particularly drawing the fuel from the supply vessel through a single outlet pipe and feeding the fuel to a distributor, in which a plurality of individual supply lines are connected to the individual burners, the fuel mass flow rate in the supply lines depending on the speed measured there and the radiometric density measurement being determined in the outlet pipe of the supply vessel. For control of the fuel mass flow a stepwise regulation depending on the crude gas flow produced in the gasification unit is thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Hans R. Baumann, Adolf Linke, Eberhard Kuske, Hans-Reiner Schweimanns
  • Patent number: 4936047
    Abstract: A method of reducing the amount of gaseous sulfur compounds released during combustion of sulfur-containing fuel, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a mixture of sulfur containing particulate fuel and a sulfur absorbent, such as calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, lime, limestone, dolomite, or mixtures thereof; (b) exposing the mixture to a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 1500.degree. F., so as to convert at least a portion of the particulate fuel into a gaseous portion and a solid, char portion; and (c) combusting the char portion, thereby forming an ash containing sulfur fixed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Battelle Development Corporation
    Inventors: Herman F. Feldmann, Byung C. Kim
  • Patent number: 4936869
    Abstract: An integrated polygeneration system and process is disclosed for generating liquid hydrogen as a main energy product for use as a propellant for space vehicles. Secondary energy products and commodities for supporting a space center complex and launching of the space vehicle includes the production of electrical and thermal energy and gaseous nitrogen. The integrated process includes a coal gasification and gas cleanup system (12), a combined cycle power generation system (18), a hydrogen production and liquefaction system (22) and a air separation system (32). A medium BTU gas (16) is produced by the coal gasification system and is delivered at (16a) to the power generation system and (16b) the hydrogen production and liquefaction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventors: Peter A. Minderman, Gary P. Gutkowski, Lawrence Manfredi, Julian V. King, Frank S. Howard
  • Patent number: 4935038
    Abstract: In a process for the recovery of usuable gas from garbage by pyrolysis, the garbage is sorted into a heavy wet vegetable portion and a light dry portion. The light portion is pressed into pellets or granules having characteristics dimensions in a range of 1-50 mm that are dried to a maximum moisture of approximately 25 wt. %, and then are passed to a pyrolysis reactor in which partially burned gas is generated and separated from noncombustible residues. The partially burned gas is taken to a high temperature gas converter where it is converted to fuel gas over a glowing carbonaceous bed. The heavy vegetable fraction of the garbage is taken to a biomass converter in which it is used to generate methane gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: PKA Pyrolyse Kraftanlagen GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd M. Wolf
  • Patent number: 4930429
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the gasification of partially dried fuel with hot gas which has been heated by bringing it into contact with an inert hot heat carrier. The fuel gases generated during the gasification process are further combusted and utilized for heating the inert heat carrier. The process and apparatus can be combined with a process and apparatus for generating steam from wet fuel wherein water is evaporated from the wet fuel by bringing the fuel into direct contact with superheated steam. The steam is superheated by bringing it into contact with a second hot heat carrier. The second heat carrier is heated by bringing it into direct contact with the fuel gas produced by combusting the fuel gas from the gasification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Ahlstromforetagen Svenska AB
    Inventor: Rolf Ryham
  • Patent number: 4929255
    Abstract: A method for gasifying or combusting solid, carbonaceous material in a circulating fluidized bed reactor. Particles are separated from the product gas at least in two stages so that in the first stage, mainly coarser, so-called circulating particles are separted and returned to the reactor. In the second stage, fine carbonaceous particlates are separated from the gas and are made to agglomerate at a raised temperature. Coarser particles thus recieved are returned to the reactor through a return duct together with circulating particles. Adhesion of agglomerating particles to the walls of the duct is prevented preferably by leading hot particulates to the center of the duct and circulating particles to the walls of the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Bertel K. Hakulin, Jorma J. Nieminen
  • Patent number: 4927430
    Abstract: A method of generating a de-sulphurized volatile matter and a relatively low Btu gas includes the initial step of pyrolyzing coal to produce volatile matter and a char. The volatile matter is fed to a first de-sulphurizer containing a de-sulphurizing agent to remove sulphur therefrom. At the same time, the char is gasified to produce a relatively low Btu gas. The low Btu gas is fed to a second de-sulphurizer containing the de-sulphurizing agent to remove sulphur therefrom. A regenerator is provided for removing sulphur from the de-sulphurizing agent. Portions of the de-sulphurizing agent are moved among the first de-sulphurizer, the second de-sulphurizer, and the regenerator such that the regenerator regenerates the de-sulphurizing agent. Preferably, the portions of the de-sulphurizing agent are moved from the second de-sulphurizer to the first de-sulphurizer, from the first de-sulphurizer to the regenerator, and from the regenerator to the second de-sulphurizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Albert Calderon