Abstract: A partial oxidation process for the production of a stream of mixed gases comprising H.sub.2 and CO. An aqueous particulate solid carbonaceous fuel slurry feedstream is preheated by indirect heat exchange with a process-derived stream of skimmed gases substantially comprising H.sub.2 O. The aqueous carrier of the slurry is vaporized by introducing superheated steam directly into the slurry pipeline. A suspension of particulate solid carbonaceous fuel entrained in a gaseous mixture substantially comprising steam e.g. about 90 to 99.9 wt. % H.sub.2 O and about 0.1 to 10 wt. % of a CO.sub.2 -containing gas mixture is produced. The suspension of solid fuel in the gaseous mixture is then separated in a skimming operation into an overhead gas stream substantially comprising steam, as previously described, and a bottom stream comprising particulate solid carbonaceous fuel with the remainder of said gaseous mixture.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing synthesis gas (16) from hydrocarbons, water, free oxygen, and a transfer gas containing steam and carbon oxides. The transfer gas is passed through a succession of essentially adiabatic catalyst beds (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and the hydrocarbons (9, 10,11) and oxygen (13, 14, 15) are alternately introduced at the input of each catalyst bed. The transfer gas may be prepared by vivid combustion of hydrocarbon or by hydrocarbon steam-reforming.

Abstract: A method for operating a reactor for producing synthesis gas, wherein, after gas treatment, a part of the waste heat of the gas production is recycled by subjecting the fly ash-free, cooled synthesis gas to a high-temperature conversion, cooling it again, compressing it, scrubbing it and reheating it, and returning it after partial oxidation into the continuous process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning hot gases produced during a coal gasification process in a reactor, wherein the hot gases leaving the reactor are cooled in a plurality of cooling stages to a relatively low temperature. In accordance with this invention, a particulated solid is added to the hot gases and circulated through at least one of the cooling stages. The particulated solid may be a material which decomposes in the hot gases to liberate carbon dioxide or it may be inert.The apparatus of the invention makes use of a heat exchanger which functions as a radiant cooler and also as a mixer for the gases and solids, the heat exchanger being connected directly to the gasification reactor at the exhaust gas side thereof. The heat exchanger is followed by at least one downstream, multi-stage cyclone fluidized bed heat exchanger which also is provided with an indirect heat exchange capability.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for converting heavy petroleum residues to hydrogen and to gaseous and distillable hydrocarbons, comprising the association of a step of hydropyrolysis (inside tube 3) with a step of catalytic steam-gasification of the formed coke (outside tube 3), characterized in that the hydropyrolysis step is performed in the presence of a solid supporting a carbon gasification catalyst circulating between the hydropyrolysis zone and the coke steam-gasification zone, said steam-gasification being performed in the absence of oxygen.The petroleum residue, hydrogen and steam are introduced respectively through lines 5, 6 and 7.The products are withdrawn through line 10. Heat may be supplied by the radiating tube 4.

Abstract: A steam supply system is provided for use in conjunction with both a superposed turbine driven by a steam boiler and a process chamber. The steam boiler operates at a pressure above that needed for consumption in the process chamber and uses highly purified water. The process chamber can use steam which has been generated from relatively low purity water and may be any steam consuming process, such as in one embodiment coal gasification, not requiring that the water be returned for re-use as steam. Energy remaining in the high purity steam after it leaves the superposed turbine is used in a condensing reboiler to heat the water into steam for the process chamber. The two fluids are kept essentially isolated from contact with each other in the condensing reboiler, and the high purity water is pumped back to the high pressure boiler in a closed loop system.

Abstract: The fuel constitutes a fixed bed in the reactor, which is provided in its lower portion with a rotating grate, which is adapted to be speed-controlled. The gasifying agents consisting of oxygen, steam and/or carbon dioxide are introduced through the rotating grate into the fixed bed. Under the action of the rotating grate the incombustible mineral constituents are delivered as solid ash to a lock chamber container. The speed of the rotating grate is controlled in dependence on the temperature in the lock chamber container. The speed will be decreased when the temperature in the lock chamber container exceeds a desired value, and increased when the temperature is too low. The desired temperature in the lock chamber container is taken into account as a range, which varies with time. The speed can be controlled by hand or can be automatically controlled with the aid of a computer. The rate at which oxygen as a gasifying agent is supplied to the reactor is also taken into account in the speed control.

Abstract: Fly ash is activated by heating a screened magnetic fraction of the ash in a steam atmosphere and then reducing, oxidizing and again reducing the hydrothermally treated fraction. The activated fly ash can be used as a carbon monoxide disproportionating catalyst useful in the production of hydrogen and methane.

Abstract: A process for removing catalyst fines from the wax product produced in a slurry Fischer-Tropsch reactor comprises removing the wax product from the reactor and separating the catalyst fines by passing the wax product through a high gradient magnetic field, whereby the catalyst fines are held by a magnetized filter element and the wax product passes through unhindered to form a purified wax product which is ready for upgrading. The separated catalyst fines are returned to the reactor by backwashing the filter element.

Abstract: Coal or similar carbonaceous solids are extracted by contacting the solids in an extraction zone (12) with an aqueous solution having a pH above 12.0 at a temperature between 65.degree. C. and 110.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to remove bitumens from the coal into said aqueous solution and the extracted solids are then gasified at an elevated pressure and temperature in a fluidized bed gasification zone (60) wherein the density of the fluidized bed is maintained at a value above 160 kg/m.sup.3. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, water is removed from the aqueous solution in order to redeposit the extracted bitumens onto the solids prior to the gasification step.

Abstract: A process for the gasification of carbonaceous agglomerates in a reactor at a pressure of the range of 5 to 150 bar. The agglomerates are fed into said reactor from a storage zone located above the reactor and form a fixed bed in the reactor, in which they slowly descend when gasified. At least two gasification agents selected from the group consisting of oxygen, air, steam and carbon dioxide are introduced into said reactor through the bottom and rise through said fixed bed. Solid ash or liquid slag is discharged below said fixed bed and a steam-containing product gas is tapped from the reactor above said fixed bed. In order to minimize or prevent the condensation of steam on the agglomerates in the storage zone, the invention provides for a controlled atmosphere almost entirely free of oxygen and steam which is introduced into the storage zone at a pressure approximately equal to the pressure of the product gas.

Abstract: An improved coking process for normally solid carbonaceous materials wherein the yield of liquid product from the coker is increased by adding ammonia or an ammonia precursor to the coker. The invention is particularly useful in a process wherein coal liquefaction bottoms are coked to produce both a liquid and a gaseous product. Broadly, ammonia or an ammonia precursor is added to the coker ranging from about 1 to about 60 weight percent based on normally solid carbonaceous material and is preferably added in an amount from about 2 to about 15 weight percent.

Abstract: The soot-water dispersion that is produced by quenching and/or scrubbing the raw effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator in a gas quench cooling and/or scrubbing zone is resolved in a decanter using two different liquid organic extractants. Advantageously, liquid organic by-products from an oxo or oxyl process which may contain harmful water soluble constituents may be used as a major portion of the liquid organic extractant. The dispersion of soot and co-extractants that is produced may be safely disposed of as a portion of the feed to the gas generator without polluting the environment. A novel vertical decanter is provided comprising a vertical cylindrical vessel with separate inner and outer coaxial concentric conduits that pass down through the central axial flanged inlet in the upper head of the vessel. The mixture of soot-water dispersion and first liquid organic extractant i.e.

Abstract: A method of operating a fluidized bed in which a bed of particulate combustible material is disposed on a perforated plate and air is introduced through the plate and into the bed to fluidize and promote the combustion of the material. Additional particulate material, of a size less than that of said combustible particulate material, is introduced to the bed so that it is entrained in the air to maintain the combustible material in the bed.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a methane-enriched gas wherein a hydrogen-deficient carbonaceous material is treated with a hydrogen-containing pyrolysis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce a product gas mixture including methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The improvement comprises passing the product gas mixture sequentially through a water-gas shift reaction zone and a gas separation zone to provide separate gas streams of methane and of a recycle gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane for recycle to the process. A controlled amount of steam also is provided which when combined with the recycle gas provides a pyrolysis gas for treatment of additional hydrogen-deficient carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A process for gasification of cellulosic biomass in a single gasification vessel wherein the cellulosic biomass is introduced directly into a single back-mixed fluidized bed of high heat capacity inert solids. The fluidized bed is maintained at temperatures of about 1200.degree. to about 1600.degree. F., pressures of up to about 500 psig devolatilizing the biomass. A substantial portion of the heavier hydrocarbons produced by devolatilization of the biomass is reformed within the gasification vessel and a substantial portion of the devolatilized biomass is gasified by reaction with hydrogen and steam within the fluidized bed. Biomass residue is combusted in an oxygen-rich atmosphere in the lower portion of the fluidized bed to principally form heat and biomass ash. The highly back-mixed fluidized bed results in temperature variation along the height of the bed, including the combustion zone, of less than 100.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for gasifying carbonaceous solids in a rotating zone is disclosed wherein the gasifying agents are injected into a tumbling bed of the solids through an elongated, rotating tubular flow path (19) positioned and supported so as to remain in the tumbling bed during rotation of the zone. The invention is particularly useful in rotary kilns where coal, lignite, peat, heavy oil residual, and other carbonaceous materials are gasified using injected steam, oxygen or air.

Abstract: In a partial oxidation process the gaseous effluent from a reactor is contacted with water to cool and remove solid particulates, i.e., ash and soot. The water from this operation is then mixed with an organic extractant, e.g., naphtha, and fed into a decanter to form aqueous and organic phases. The aqueous phase from the decanter is fed to a water flash separator to remove dissolved gases. The solids in a portion of the water flash separator bottoms are further concentrated in a hydrocyclone and thereafter purged. The remaining water is recycled for recontact with the gaseous effluent.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are produced from coal, char or other carbonaceous material in a processing combination comprising a catalytic CO generator employing as reactant materials, fluid carbon material and CO.sub.2 product of the reaction of steam with CO to produce hydrogen and CO.sub.2. CO.sub.2 produced in the process is relied upon as the primary endothermic heat source in the fluid CO generator.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide-containing gas streams are converted to methane by a cyclic, essentially two-step process in which said carbon monoxide is disproportionated to form carbon dioxide and active surface carbon deposited on the surface of a catalyst, and said carbon is reacted with steam to form product methane and by-product carbon dioxide. The exothermic heat of reaction generated in each step is effectively removed during each complete cycle so as to avoid a build up of heat from cycle-to-cycle, with particularly advantageous techniques being employed for fixed bed, tubular and fluidized bed reactor operations.

Abstract: A method of producing synthesis gas from coal hydrogenation residues, wherein a coal hydrogenation residue is subjected to a reduced pressure distillation in a one-shaft or multishaft worm apparatus where the gases and vapors evolved are withdrawn and the unvolatilized remaining material is re-pressurized and is then introduced into a gasification reaction.

Abstract: A bed (76, 202) of oil shale particles (10) are pyrolyzed in a retort (70, 200) by means of a heated carrier gas stream passing through a central conduit (54, 202) within the bed (76, 202) and then upwardly through a fixed bed (76) or fluidized bed (202) of the shale. The shale is subjected to pyrolysis and evolves kerogen liquid, thermally and pyrolyzed liquids and gases which enter the carrier gas to form a pyrolysis gas. The liquid pyrolysis oil is separated from the pyrolysis gas ion separator (94, 224) and a portion of the separated gas is recycled to a solar heat exchanger (50, 204) and heated to a temperature of at least 350.degree. C. before being fed to the central conduit (54, 202).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for production of liquid and gaseous fuels from solid organic carbonaceous materials by reacting free falling solids in a countercurrent gas stream. The process is conducted with a lean solids phase which provides good process control and uniform flow of solids even in the presence of condensation and refluxing of liquids on the solid particles. Rapid heatup rates provide high carbon conversions. Oil shales of the eocene period are particularly well suited for the process of this invention. A reactor particularly suited for conducting reactions between free falling solids and countercurrent flowing gas streams is disclosed together with preferred methods for introduction of solid feeds to the top of the reactor.

Abstract: Toxic chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls and other organic wastes are destroyed, optionally together with inorganic wastes, by injecting them, together with oxygen, into a molten bath such as is utilized in a steelmaking facility. The bath may be melted initially by induction, an electric arc or otherwise; the desired temperature greater than 2500.degree. F. may be maintained thereafter by the reaction of the oxygen and the organic waste. Various by-products may be obtained from the gas.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising a medium to large port zeolite modified by the oxide or acid of an element selected from the group consisting of Group IIIA to VIIA elements and, a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst wherein the ratio of zeolite to Fischer-Tropsch component is from about 0.1 to 50:1 can be employed to produce fuel grade saturated gaseous hydrocarbons from synthesis gas. A process is employed which includes the step of contacting synthesis gas over the foregoing catalyst at a reaction temperature of from about 100.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. and at a pressure of from about one atmosphere (0.1 MPa) to about 200 atmospheres (20 MPa) and at a gas hourly space velocity of from about 10 to 100,000. A method is also provided for the preparation of the combination catalyst. The catalyst and process for its use results in a small liquid aromatic product also being formed which is suitable for forming gasoline. Olefins and oxygenates are essentially eliminated.

Abstract: A cyclic char gasifier process and apparatus are described wherein reactant gases are first compressed into the pores of a char fuel to react and then the reacted gases are expanded out of the char fuel pores. This cycle of compression and expansion is repeated with fresh reactant gases supplied for each compression and with reacted gases removed at each expansion. Air and steam are preferred reactant gases when the char fuel is to be gasified by oxidation. Reacted gases from such an oxidation gasifier plant are preferred reactant gases when the char fuel is to be partially gasified by devolatilization. Rapid reaction to a rich product gas can occur over the large surface area inside the char pores and the undesirable Neumann reversion reaction is suppressed by the strongly reducing conditions prevailing therein. The gases of devolatilization gasification can be used to enrichen the gases of oxidation gasification by using two cyclic char gasifier plants in a combination system.

Abstract: In a melting/gasifying furnace including a coke-filled layer, coal is gasified by oxygen blown through tuyeres into a hot reducing gas which is caused to ascend through the coke-filled layer so as to melt reduced iron supported on the top of the coke-filled layer. The resulting molten iron flows down through the coke-filled layer, and is collected in the lowermost region of the coke-filled layer and discharged therefrom, while the hot gas is recovered. The thus recovered gas is fed into a shaft reduction furnace to reduce iron ores, and the thus formed reduced iron is supplied into the melting/gasifying furnace. In addition to the coal, a variety of fuels mainly comprising carbon and hydrogen such as heavy oil, natural gas, etc. are used for gasification. The fuel is blown through the tuyeres and/or charged through middle openings disposed above the tuyeres.

Abstract: Coal tar resulting from the gasification of coal in an industrial gas producer, instead of being discarded as waste, is condensed from the hot fuel gas by a mist-like spray of water to produce a fog-like suspension of tar mixed with the fuel gas. This mixture flows to an electric precipitator where the tar is precipitated and the fuel gas and water vapor are conducted to a mixer while the tar, which has been condensed, is supplied to a tar burner where it is burned either with a stoichiometric volume of air, or less than a stoichiometric volume. The product gases from the tar burner are conducted and discharged hot into the mixer where they supply sensible heat to fuel gas and water vapor and raise the temperature of the mixture above the dew point of the tar remaining in the fuel gas, and from which the hot mixture produced is delivered to a fuel burner or gas consuming apparatus.

Abstract: A process for production of hydrogen from oil shale fines by direct introduction of the oil shale fines into a fluidized bed at temperatures about 1200.degree. to about 2000.degree. F. to obtain rapid heating of the oil shale. The bed is fluidized by upward passage of steam and oxygen, the steam introduced in the weight ratio of about 0.1 to about 10 on the basis of the organic carbon content of the oil shale and the oxygen introduced in less than the stoichiometric quantity for complete combustion of the organic carbonaceous kerogen content of the oil shale. Embodiments are disclosed for heat recovery from the spent shale and heat recovery from the spent shale and product gas wherein the complete process and heat recovery is carried out in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: Catalyst for the production of methane from carbon and/or coal by means of catalytic gasification. The catalyst compostion containing at least two alkali metal salts. A particulate carbonaceous substrate or carrier is used.

Abstract: Comminuted waste material is introduced in the form of briquettes, pellets or granulates into a gastight rotating drum for the recovery of useful gas by pyrolysis. The size of the briquettes, pellets or granulates is from about 1 to 50 mm and they are brought to a dry substance content of more than 70%.

Abstract: Coarse-grained fuels are gasified in a moving bed under a pressure of 5 to 150 bars with oxygen, water vapor and, if desired, carbon dioxide. The resulting product gas is at temperatures of 250.degree. to 700.degree. C. and is cooled to temperatures in the range from 120.degree. to 220.degree. C. to form an aqueous condensate, which contains distillation products and is known as gas liquor. The gas liquor obtained by the gasification in a moving bed is pressure-relieved to atmospheric or a higher pressure and the flashed-off vapor is supplied to the fluidized bed gasifier. In the fluidized bed gasifier, fine-grained solid fuels are gasified under a pressure which is lower than that in the moving bed.The flashed-off vapor supplied to the fluidized bed supplies at least one-half of the water vapor required for the gasification in the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A method of operating a cyclic synthesis gas-ore reduction process comprising supplying a carbonaceous material and preheated oxygen to a synthesis gas reactor to produce a hot synthesis gas, partially cooling said hot synthesis gas by directly passing the same through a regenerator and thereby storing the sensible heat of the hot synthesis gas in said generator. Further cooling said synthesis gas by reheating liquid for a vapor generator, and then reheating said further cooled synthesis gas and supplying it to an ore reduction reactor and generating a reduced product and an off gas. Directing the generated off gas to the synthesis gas reactor via said regenerator to heat the off gas to around 100.degree. C. by transferring said stored heat.

Abstract: A solid fuel gasifying unit is used to convert coal and other combustible organic solids to gaseous end products. Solid feed enters the vertical preheat zone of S-shaped gasifying unit and is mixed with a hot recycle reagent such as clay. The solid material fills the preheating zone of the unit to an elevation sufficient to create a gravitational particle flow which forces the solid particles in the lower end of the zone into the bottom of a vertical gasifying zone and through the remaining sections of the unit. In the gasifying zone, a fluidizing gaseous stream such as carbon dioxide or steam is injected to enhance the flow of the solid particles.Also disclosed is a gas fractionating unit and a relatively high pressure solid fuel gasifying unit which contain a reagent powder having a significant weight difference in reduced form as compared with the weight of the powder in oxidized form and which may be circulated through the unit under gravity flow during oxidation-reduction chemical processing.

Abstract: Effluent gas streams for steam reforming, partial oxidation or coal gasification operations are advantageously treated in shift conversion, scrubbing and pressure swing adsorption units for recovery of a purified, hydrogen-containing product gas stream. By recycling a portion of the waste gas removed from the pressure swing adsorption system to the shift conversion unit and/or to the effluent gas generation operation, enhanced product recovery is achieved without the necessity for employing low temperature shift or for achieving essentially complete removal of the carbon dioxide content of the gas being treated prior to its passage to said pressure swing adsorption system.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material, such as crushed coal, is admixed or impregnated with an inexpensive alkali metal compound, such as sodium chloride, and then pretreated with a stream containing steam at a temperature of 350.degree. to 650.degree. C. to enhance the catalytic activity of the mixture in a subsequent gasification of the mixture. The treatment may result in the transformation of the alkali metal compound into another, more catalytically active, form.

Abstract: A method is provided for turning down or up the output of raw product gas from a partial oxidation gas generator while maintaining in an acceptable range the efficiency of the gas generation, or conversion of the fuel to gas, and the quality of the gas produced. In the process, the flow rates for the separate feedstreams to the burner comprising fuel optionally in admixture with a temperature moderator, at least one stream of free-oxygen containing gas optionally in admixture with a temperature moderator, and with or without a separate feedstream of temperature moderator are adjusted down or up a predetermined amount to obtain a specified output of raw product gas while maintaining substantially constant in the reaction zone the levels of O/C atomic ratio and the temperature moderator/fuel weight ratio.

Abstract: A process is provided for the partial oxidation of a high metals or ash containing liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel or a slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel to simultaneously produce saturated and unsaturated raw streams of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas. Two continuous partial oxidation reactions in two separate reaction zones go on simultaneously. The fuel feed to the first partial oxidation zone is said fresh high metals or ash containing fuel. The raw product gas stream from the first partial oxidation zone is split into first and second split gas streams. The first split gas stream may be cooled in a radiant and/or convection type gas cooler without fouling heat exchange surfaces. The fuel feed to the second partial oxidation zone is a pumpable slurry which is prepared from the entrained matter that is separated from said gas streams during quench cooling and cleaning operations and which contains a comparatively high amount of metals and/or ash.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for control and maintenance of fluidized beds under non-steady state conditions. An ash removal conduit is provided for removing solid particulates from a fluidized bed separate from an ash discharge conduit in the lower portion of the grate supporting such a bed. The apparatus and process of this invention is particularly suitable for use in ash agglomerating fluidized beds and provides control of the fluidized bed before ash agglomeration is initiated and during upset conditions resulting in stable, sinter-free fluidized bed maintenance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for the discharge of residues of ash-containing fuels occurring during gasification of coal. The hot mixture of residues and water is separated in a separating chamber, whereby the residues enter a lock vessel situated under the separating chamber. The hot water is recycled to the water bath situated under the gasification reactor. After the lock vessel has been filled with residue, the hot water in the separating chamber is cooled or replaced by cold water. The discharge of the residues is pressureless and is effected by a stream of water flowing through the separating chamber into the lock vessel. Separating chamber and lock vessel remain filled with water at all times.

Abstract: Converting carbon-containing raw material, particularly coal, wood or crude oil, into a combustible product gas by a gasification reaction in the presence of a catalyst which is dissolved in the steam intended for the gasification reaction, forming a homogeneous gaseous solution. The ash-containing gasification residue is separated and the catalyst is extracted from the separated gasification residue by the steam intended for the gasification reaction at a temperature and a pressure, at which a homogeneous gaseous solution of the catalyst in steam is formed.

Abstract: In methanizing CO and H.sub.2 containing charge gases, the charge gas is passed upwardly through a vertically extending fluidized bed reactor flowing, in turn, through a fluidized bed zone, a dust bed zone and a separation zone. From the separation zone, the gas is conveyed out of the reactor to a point of use. Coolant tubes are positioned in the reactor passing vertically through the fluidized bed zone, the dust bed zone and the separation zone for removing the heat generated in the reaction. An evaporable coolant, preferably water, is circulated through the coolant tubes. In a separate steam drum, the vapor pressure of the coolant is set for maintaining constant the temperature of the vaporizing coolant.

Abstract: A method for the production of reaction gases consisting essentially of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in which reactants including a carbonaceous source, slag formers and an oxygen-containing gas are directed in the form of jets through nozzles under the surface of a molten metal bath in a reactor to produce said reaction gases. These reaction gases are then passed to a metallurgical reduction reactor wherein exhaust gases are produced containing carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor and hydrogen. In accordance with the present invention, at least a portion of the exhaust gases from the metallurgical reduction reactor are recycled into heat exchange relationship with nozzles in the reactor to cool the same. The invention also contemplates recycling additional portions of the exhaust gases to combine them with the oxygen-containing gas entering the reactor, and to serve as a suspending medium for the carbonaceous source or the slag formers.

Abstract: A cyclic char gasifier process and apparatus are described wherein reactant gases are first compressed into the pores of a char fuel to react and then the reacted gases are expanded out of the char fuel pores. This cycle of compression and expansion is repeated with fresh reactant gases supplied for each compression and with reacted gases removed at each expansion. Air and steam are preferred reactant gases when the char fuel is to be gasified by oxidation. Reacted gases from such an oxidation gasifier plant are preferred reactant gases when the char fuel is to be partially gasified by devolatilization. Rapid reaction to a rich product gas can occur over the large surface area inside the char pores and the undesireable Neumann reversion reaction is suppressed by the strongly reducing conditions prevailing therein. The gases of devolatilization gasification can be used to enrichen the gases of oxidation gasification by using two cyclic char gasifier plants in a combination system.

Abstract: An integrated process for modifying the H.sub.2 /CO ratio in specified gaseous streams is disclosed, the process being characterized by bulk removal of H.sub.2 S, adjustment of H.sub.2 /CO ratio by water gas (or carbon monoxide) shift, and removal of remaining H.sub.2 S. CO.sub.2 may be recovered, and the process may be operated to produce a gas comprising principally hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of providing a mixture of lean and rich gas of a desired composition by means of a jet compressor system comprising two or more jet compressors comprising:(1) adjusting the jet compressor system being used to mix the lean and rich gas to provide a leaner gas mixture than the desired composition;(2) then adding a predetermined amount of rich gas to the leaner gas mixture to attempt to obtain the desired composition; and(3) varying the amount of rich gas added to the leaner gas in response to the measurement of gas properties in the jet compressor system to thereby more nearly obtain a gas of the desired composition. Preferably the lean gas comprises air, blast furnace gas, or BOF gas, and the rich gas comprises methane, natural gas, propane, or butane.

Abstract: An integrated process for modifying the H.sub.2 /CO ratio in specified gaseous streams is disclosed, the process being characterized by bulk removal of H.sub.2 S, adjustment of H.sub.2 /CO ratio by water gas (or carbon monoxide) shift, and removal of remaining H.sub.2 S. CO.sub.2 may be recovered, and the process may be operated to produce a gas comprising principally hydrogen.

Abstract: Synthesis gas prepared from ash-containing carbonaceous fuel is passed to a water-containing contact zone wherein the ash is collected in a lower settling portion of the contact zone prior to passage through a valved passageway and thence to a lock hopper during a valve-open period, flow of said ash being augmented by intermittent positive flow of water during the time said valve is open, through said valve from said settling zone to said lock hopper whereby more positive flow of ash is obtained (when compared to that obtained by use of continuous flow of water from the lock hopper) with substantially decreased heat loss.

Abstract: Carbon content of vent and purge gases from hydrotreating is included as charge to synthesis gas generation with resulting efficiencies including decreased need for steam moderation and increased conversion of charge to desired product.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved, simple and energy saving process for producing a gas containing methane, which process utilizes a reactor having a catalyst bed of a structure wherein a synthesis gas is allowed to pass perpendicularly to the longitudinal directions of a plurality of cooling tubes installed vertically within the catalyst bed. Within the cooling tubes, a liquid coolant at its boiling temperature is flowed upwardly under pressure. A portion of the reaction product gas leaving the catalyst bed is mixed, without cooling, with fresh feed gas and is recirculated to the catalyst bed. The amount of the recycled gas is less than 5 times the amount of fresh feed gas. The foregoing process produces a product gas containing methane from a feed gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen.