Abstract: A partial oxidation process including a burner is provided for introducing four separate feedstreams including a stream of gaseous material from the group free-oxygen containing gas, steam, recycle product gas, and hydrocarbon gas; a pumpable slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel in liquid phase e.g. coal-water; and two high velocity streams of free-oxygen containing gas into a free-flow partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas, fuel gas, or reducing gas. The burner has a central conduit and three concentric annular passages. A central core of a gas selected from the group consisting of free-oxygen containing gas, steam, recycle product gas, and hydrocarbon gas surrounded by the slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel is discharged from the central conduit and first annular passage respectively and is impacted by two separate streams of free-oxygen containing gas passing through the second and outer annular passages.

Abstract: A coal gasification process is disclosed wherein two portions of heat transfer material are introduced into the reaction vessel at different locations and different temperatures. Steam is passed upwardly through the vessel to react with the carbonaceous material to form a hot char and a gaseous product, wherein the heat necessary for the coal gasification reaction is supplied by both the first portion of heat transfer material and the second portion of heat transfer material. Then the hot char and gaseous product are cooled by contact with the first portion of heat transfer material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for gasifying carboanceous material with the use of two fluidized beds superimposed on a fixed bed, and a flue dust gasification chamber arranged inside the reactor between the fluidized beds.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide - containing gas streams are passed over a catalyst to deposit a surface layer of active surface carbon thereon essentially without the formation of inactive coke. The active carbon is subsequently reacted with steam or hydrogen to form methane. Surprisingly, hydrogen and water vapor present in the feed gas do not adversely affect CO utilization significantly, and such hydrogen actually results in a significant increase in CO utilization.

Abstract: A process for converting solid wastes to gases suitable for use as a town gas comprising the steps of (1) pyrolyzing solid wastes at 550.degree. C. or higher in a pyrolyzing furnace to produce pyrolysis gases containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and dioxide, methane and other hydrocarbons as well as chlorine-containing compounds, sulphur-containing compounds and other impurities, (2) washing the pyrolysis gases with an aqueous alkaline solution or the like, (3) refining the washed pyrolysis gases with the hydrogen contained in the pyrolysis gases, (4) reforming the refined pyrolysis gases by steam reforming, CO conversion and/or methanation and (5) separating the excess steam and carbonic acid gas from the reformed gases. In one embodiment, the washing (2) and refining (3) may be substituted by the high-temperature steam reforming of the pyrolysis gases in hot state supplied directly from the pyrolyzing furnace.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced by partial oxidation of slurried coal followed by separation of ash, the temperature of the gas being thereafter controlled to permit a desired portion thereof to be directly contacted with water to achieve a gas/stream mixture of predetermined composition prior to shift conversion, the other portion being preferably convectively cooled for maximum thermal efficiency and then scrubbed prior to withdrawal as carbon monoxide-containing product.

Abstract: Synthesis gas, fuel gas, or reducing gas is produced by the noncatalytic partial oxidation of a slurry of ash-containing solid carbonaceous fuel in a liquid carrier with a free-oxygen containing gas in the free-flow reaction zone of a refractory lined gas generator at an autogenous temperature in the range of about 2350.degree. F. to 2900.degree. F. so that about 75 to 95 weight percent of the carbon in the fuel feed to the reaction zone is converted into carbon oxides. The hot effluent gas stream from the reaction zone containing entrained particulate carbon, unconverted solid carbonaceous fuel, and molten slag is passed through a free-flow radiant cooler where it is contacted by and provides the heat to vaporize an aqueous solution of catalyst consisting of alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal compound in water. In the presence of the catalyst, H.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in the gasification of sulphur-containing carbonaceous material using metal smelts. When gasifying such carbonaceous material in a metal smelt, the material is introduced to a gasifying reactor containing an iron and/or manganese smelt having a temperature of between 1100.degree. and 1600.degree. C., suitably 1150.degree.-1250.degree. C., the smelt being substantially saturated with respect to sulphur and carbon. The carbonaceous material is oxidized to carbon monoxide and the sulphur content forms a matte phase containing a high percentage of sulphur, which phase is tapped off. Residual non-combustible material is collected as a slag on the surface and is removed together therewith. If so desired, the matte can be granulated and roasted to recover the sulphur and metal contents. Carbonaceous material incorporating pyrolysible constituents is suitably pyrolysed in a pyrolysis medium at a temperature of between 450.degree.-800.degree. C.

Abstract: Coal or similar carbonaceous solids impregnated with gasification catalyst constituents (16) are oxidized by contact with a gas containing between 2 volume percent and 21 volume percent oxygen at a temperature between 50.degree. C. and 250.degree. C. in an oxidation zone (24) and the resultant oxidized, catalyst impregnated solids are then gasified in a fluidized bed gasification zone (44) at an elevated pressure. The oxidation of the catalyst impregnated solids under these conditions insures that the bed density in the fluidized bed gasification zone will be relatively high even though the solids are gasified at elevated pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for production of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products from solid organic carbonaceous materials by reacting free falling solids with a countercurrent hydrogen-containing 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. Oil shales of the Eocene period having Modified Fischer Assays of less than about 9 gallons of oil per ton and representing less than half the organic carbon present in the oil shale 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 including distribution baffles and fluidized bed feed distribution systems.

Abstract: Only a part of the synthesis gas supply is passed through a first internally cooled catalytic reactor (1) and the hotter gas coming out of it is reunited with the remaining gas supply for passing through an adiabatic reactor (2) that is followed by a heat exchanger (3) on its way to a second internally cooled reactor (4) in which the methanization reaction is completed. Water is heated up to practically the saturated steam temperature in the cooling system of the last mentioned reactor and is converted to saturated steam in the cooling system of the first internally cooled reactor. The saturated steam is superheated in the above-mentioned heat exchanger. To make the process run more smoothly a steam drum is provided through which the hot water piping between the cooling systems of the two internally cooled reactors runs and the saturated steam is brought into the steam drum and from it to the heat exchanger before it is superheated.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by endothermal partial oxidization of an organic compound with steam and/or carbon dioxide is disclosed wherein at least a portion of the heat required for the partial oxidation is obtained by direct heat exchange with products obtained from the gasification of a carbonaceous ash-forming fuel with oxygen in the presence of steam.

Abstract: Coarse-grained solid fuels in particle sizes of at least 2 mm are gasified under a pressure of 5 to 150 bars in a fixed bed which is slowly descending and into which the gasifying agents are introduced from below whereas the incombustible mineral constituents are withdrawn as solid ash or liquid slag from the lower end of the bed. Fine-grained solid fuels are gasified in a fluidized bed under a pressure of 1 to 100 bars. Oxygen, steam and/or carbon dioxide are used as gasifying agents for the gasification in the fixed bed and in the fluidized bed. The product gas from the fluidized-bed gasifier has a temperature of 700.degree. to 1200.degree. C. and is indirectly cooled with water. The resulting steam is fed as gasifying agent to the fixed-bed gasifier. The product gas from the fixed-bed gasifier can be indirectly cooled to produce steam and at least part of said steam is fed as gasifying agent to the fluidized-bed gasifier.

Abstract: In a continuous coal-gasification process, slag particles received in free-fall by a water bath at the bottom of the reactor, or of a waste heat boiler associated therewith, are wetted with oil, or another additive agent. As a result they become bonded together. This prevents floating and facilitates sinking of the slag for removal from below the water bath. An annular duct having nozzles at different angles is used to spray the slag particles with oil near the surface of the water bath. The nozzles create a turbulence at the surface, thereby increasing the effect on the slag particles. A lock hopper fluidly communicates with the water bath right below, and collects the slag particles. The removed slag is classified before being used or recycled by feedback into the reactor together with coal dust, water and oxygen as components for the reactive process.

Abstract: A method of particulate-carbon recovery from the product gas in a coal gasification process of the type using water-carbon slurry combusted with oxygen in a reactor uses water scrubbing for the product gas to obtain particulate carbon together with ash. Certain ash content is trapped in carbon particles which have a tendency of lumping together. The carbon and ash fraction is treated with liquid hydrocarbon for carbon particle wetting and facilitating separation of ash. The recovered carbon is ground to break down bigger carbon particles and sent through a wet-particle separator; carbon particles which pass a predetermined mesh size, e.g., approximately 63 micron mesh, are sent back to the reactor for mixing with the water-carbon slurry inlet for further combustion. The bigger fractions of carbon are either ground down to size again, or diverted for other uses.

Abstract: A method for the gasification of coke is disclosed in which coke produced in a coking chamber and having a temperature of 900.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C. is forced into a coke bucket, after coking in the coking chamber, and fed by means of hot coke conveyors without substantial temperature changes to a gasifier. The coke is gasified in the gasifier while adding at least one of oxygen and air, and steam and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for the gasification of coke is disclosed in which coke produced in a coking chamber and having a temperature of 900.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C. is forced into a coke bucket, after coking in the coking chamber, and fed by means of hot coke conveyors without substantial temperature changes to a gasifier. The coke is gasified in the gasifier while adding at least one of oxygen and air, and steam and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed apparatus a method for controlling the height of the fdized bed, taking into account variations in the density of the bed. The method comprises taking simultaneous differential pressure measurements at different vertical elevations within the vessel, averaging the differential pressures, determining an average fluidized bed density, then periodically calculating a weighting factor. The weighting factor is used in the determination of the actual bed height which is used in controlling the fluidizing means.

Abstract: In the method, organic, i.e. carbon-containing, material, such as straw, wood chips, sawdust, or dead bacterial waste from a sewage treatment plant, is heated in a pyrolytic reactor, thereby driving off volatiles from the organic material, including hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases, water vapor, and tars, while leaving charcoal (char) behind. The volatiles are then passed over a base material, such as hot char, which is at a temperature substantially above the pyrolizing temperature, e.g. 950.degree. C. and above, which causes a chemical reaction of the tars and volatiles, resulting in an output of a gaseous mixture consisting largely of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, characterized by an absence of tars. The apparatus includes a pyrolytic reactor in which an initial charge of charcoal is located. An inlet is provided for introduction of the organic material and an exit is provided for the resulting gases and ash products.

Abstract: A method for utilizing shot coke which is in the form of hard-to-grind 4 mm spherical particles comprises fluidizing the shot coke particles in a first pressurized reactor vessel and introducing sufficient oxygen and steam to produce a synthetic gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, fluidizing a bed of shot coke particles contained in a second pressurized reactor vessel with the synthetic gas and introducing sufficient oxygen to combust the synthetic fuel and produce water and sufficient heat such that water can react with the shot coke particles to regenerate carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The synthetic gas formed in the second reactor vessel can be recovered at sufficient pressures to drive a power turbine or used to obtain hydrocarbon fuels. A heat recovery system in the second reactor vessel produces steam by indirect heat exchange of the shot coke bed with water. The steam that is generated can be used to supply both the first and second reactor vessels with reactive steam.

Abstract: Oxygen and steam are mixed with partially reacted carbonaceous material within a first stage gasification zone to produce synthesis gas. The hot synthesis gas long with additional carbonaceous material is then reacted in a second stage hydropyrolysis zone. The reaction mixture is rapidly quenched and removed from the second stage thereby limiting the total second stage high temperature exposure time from about two milliseconds to about two seconds. The resultant products comprise char, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons including high yields of benzene, toluene and xylene, and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 gases. The first and second stages may consist of two separate reactors or two reactors integrated into a single vessel, each utilizing either an upflow or downflow configuration.

Abstract: A method for thermally decomposing and gasifying either liquid or solid combustible material in a single reactor filled with working medium in a high active fluidization, said reactor being provided with two partitions, one of which is extended downwards upto the lower portion of the reactor, while the other is vertically extended at the lower and middle portions thereof substantially at a right angle to the first partition, whereby the reactor is divided into two sections, that is, thermal decomposition and gasification section and combustion and heating section, so that thermal decomposing and gasifying are performed by way of supplying the combustible raw material into the downwardly travelling working medium and at the same time supplying steam thereinto for generating and maintaining the high active fluidization of the working medium in the thermal decomposition and gasification section, while burning and heating are performed by way of supplying air or steam mixture gas of oxygen and steam into the upwa

Abstract: The present invention is done on the basis of knowledge obtained from experimental results shown in FIG. 1 with respect to a heat recovery method from gasified products of hydrocarbon. The heat recovery method from gasified products of hydrocarbon of the invention is to introduce the gas containing oily matters produced by gasification of hydrocarbon into the fluidizied bed where heat is recovered by indirect heat exchange between said product gas and the cooling agent passing through the heat transfer tube arranged in the fluidized bed, in which said product gas is passed through high temperature fluidized bed kept at about 450.degree.-500.degree. C. and then through the low temperature fluidized bed kept at about 250.degree.-300.degree. C. successively and that the heat of said product gas is recovered by heat exchange in said high temperature fluidized bed and low temperature fluidized bed respectively.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon fuel containing high metal concentrations and all of the soot which is rich in metals that is produced in the system, are feedstocks in a partial oxidation process for the simultaneous continuous production of two streams of cleaned, raw synthesis gas having high and low H.sub.2 O/dry gas mole ratios, respectively. In the process, all of the stream of hot, raw synthesis gas containing entrained particulate carbon and ash that is produced in a first gas generator is quench cooled and scrubbed with water in a quench tank. Simultaneously, split streams of hot raw synthesis gas containing entrained particulate carbon and ash are produced in a second gas generator. One split gas stream is quench cooled and scrubbed with water in a quench tank while the other split gas stream is simultaneously cooled in a convection-type gas cooler and then scrubbed with water.

Abstract: Heavy liquid hydrocarbon fuel containing high metal concentrations and all of the soot rich in metal values that is produced in the system are feedstocks in a partial oxidation process. Three free-flow noncatalytic partial oxidation gas generators are simultaneously operated for the simultaneous continuous production of two streams of cleaned, raw synthesis gas having high and low H.sub.2 O/dry gas mole ratios, respectively. In the process, all of the hot, raw synthesis gas containing entrained particulate carbon and ash that is produced by the first two gas generators is quench cooled and scrubbed with water in separate quench tanks. Simultaneously, as stream of hot raw synthesis gas containing entrained particulate carbon and ash is produced by a third gas generator and cooled in a convection-type gas cooler without fouling and plugging of the tubes.

Abstract: In a high pressure process for the production of synthesis gas from ash-containing fuels where the ash is collected in water in a settling zone below the gasification chamber, bridging by the slag in the narrower sections of the settling zone is avoided by passing a gas upwardly through the settling zone water.

Abstract: A process for producing pressurized pipeline gas wherein coal is gasified in oxygen at a relatively low pressure, typically less than 5 atmospheres, to produce a raw gas containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, gaseous sulfur compounds and particulates. A major portion of the raw gas is cooled, cleaned and methanated to produce a pipeline quality product gas consisting essentially of methane. The remaining portion of the raw gas is cleaned, compressed and combusted to produce a high temperature, high pressure flue gas which is used to power a gas turbine and generate steam to power a steam turbine. The gas turbine and steam turbine each drive compressors for compressing the low pressure product gas to pipeline pressure.

Abstract: The particulate carbon in a liquid organic extractant-carbon-water dispersion stream that is produced in a decanter is separated as clean, dry carbon particles from the liquid carrier by atomizing the dispersion and vaporizing the liquid organic extractant and water in a spray dryer. Thermal energy for completely vaporizing the liquid carrier is provided by directly contacting the atomized dispersion in the spray dryer with a split stream of hot raw synthesis gas containing entrained particulate carbon from a partial oxidation gas generator. The continuous closed-cycle operation permits recovery and recycle of the water used for cooling and cleaning the stream of raw synthesis gas as well as the recovery and reuse of the liquid organic extractant. Clean dewatered and clean saturated streams of synthesis gas are simultaneously produced along with the by-product clean, dry carbon particles.

Abstract: The hot raw effluent gas stream from a free-flow partial oxidation gas generator comprising H.sub.2, CO, CO.sub.2, entrained particulate carbon, and at least one material from the group H.sub.2 O, N.sub.2, Ar, H.sub.2 S, COS, CH.sub.4, and ash are split into two hot raw gas streams which are separately processed. One hot, raw split gas stream contains about 5 to 50 volume %, such as 10 to 20 volume % of the total amount of hot raw effluent gas stream and the other hot, raw split gas stream contains the remainder. One raw, split gas stream is cleaned by quenching and scrubbing with water to produce a clean product gas stream saturated with water. The entrained particulate carbon is removed from the raw synthesis gas as a carbon-water dispersion from which it is extracted with a liquid organic extractant.

Abstract: A partial oxidation process with an extractant purifier for removing the particulate carbon entrained in a vaporized stream of normally liquid organic extractant-carbon-water dispersion from a decanter and producing a clean vaporized mixture of liquid organic extractant and water and a separate liquid stream of liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel-carbon dispersion. The extractant purifier comprises a closed, vertical, cylindrical, thermally insulated vessel with an unobstructed central passage. Supported in the upper section of the vessel is a gas-solids separator for separating the particulate carbon from the vaporized dispersion flowing up the vessel and discharging the particulate carbon into atomized liquid hydrocarbon fuel located within the lower section of the purifier.

Abstract: Carbonaceous solid material such as coal is gasified in a fast fluidized bed gasification system utilizing dual fluidized beds of hot char. The coal in particulate form is introduced along with oxygen-containing gas and steam into the fast fluidized bed gasification zone of a gasifier assembly wherein the upward superficial gas velocity exceeds about 5.0 ft/sec and temperature is 1500.degree.-1850.degree. F. The resulting effluent gas and substantial char are passed through a primary cyclone separator, from which char solids are returned to the fluidized bed. Gas from the primary cyclone separator is passed to a secondary cyclone separator, from which remaining fine char solids are returned through an injection nozzle together with additional steam and oxygen-containing gas to an oxidation zone located at the bottom of the gasifier, wherein the upward gas velocity ranges from about 3-15 ft/sec and is maintained at 1600.degree.-200.degree. F. temperature.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide-containing gas streams having a relatively high concentration of hydrogen are pretreated so as to remove the hydrogen in a recoverable form for use in the second step of a cyclic, essentially two-step process for the production of methane. The thus-treated streams are then passed over a catalyst to deposit a surface layer of active surface carbon thereon essentially without the formation of inactive coke. This active carbon is reacted with said hydrogen removed from the feed gas stream to form methane. The utilization of the CO in the feed gas stream is appreciably increased, enhancing the overall process for the production of relatively pure, low-cost methane from CO-containing waste gas streams.

Abstract: A partial oxidation process and control system for continuously producing synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas in which one process fuel is replaced by a different fuel without shutting down or depressurizing the gas generator. This multifuel process is not tied to one particular fuel and reacts slurries of solid carbonaceous fuel and/or liquid or gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuels. Suitable burners for introducing the feedstreams into the gas generator comprise a central conduit means radially spaced from a concentric coaxial outer conduit having a downstream exit nozzle, and providing a coaxial annular passage means therebetween. The central conduit means may be retracted upstream from the burner face a distance of about 0 to 12 and preferably 3 to 10 times the minimum diameter of the central exit orifice.

Abstract: A partial oxidation process for continuously producing synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas in which process one fuel is replaced by a differing fuel without shutting down or depressurizing the gas generator. This multifuel process is not tied to one particular fuel and reacts slurries of solid carbonaceous fuel and/or liquid or gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuels. Problems of fuel availability are reduced due to the wide selection of fuels that are suitable for the subject process. A two-section burner having a high turndown feature is employed that comprises a central conduit; a central bunch of tubes positioned in said central conduit; an outer conduit coaxial with said central conduit and forming an annular passage therewith; and an annular bunch of tubes positioned in said annular passage. The downstream ends of said central and/or annular bunches of tubes are respectively retracted upstream from the burner face a distance of about 0 to 12 i.e.

Abstract: A burner and partial oxidation process for producing synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas from slurries of solid carbonaceous fuel and/or liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuel. The burner has a high turndown feature and comprises a central conduit; a central bunch of parallel tubes that extend longitudinally through said central conduit; an outer conduit coaxial with said central conduit and forming an annular passage therewith; and an annular bunch of parallel tubes that extend longitudinally through said annular passage; and wherein the downstream ends of said central and annular bunches of parallel tubes are respectively retracted upstream from the burner face a distance of about 0 to 12 i.e. 3 to 10 times the minimum diameter of the central exit orifice and the minimum width of the annular exit orifice. Three ranges of flow through the burner may be obtained by using one or both bunches of tubes and their surrounding conduits.

Abstract: Unconverted char in a mixture of particles formed in the partial oxidation of an ash-containing solid fuel is recovered by grinding the mixture and subjecting the ground material to froth flotation.

Abstract: A method and system for injecting coal and process fluids into a fluidized bed gasification reactor. Three concentric tubes extend vertically upward into the fluidized bed. Coal particulates in a transport gas are injected through an inner tube, and an oxygen rich mixture of oxygen and steam are injected through an inner annulus about the inner tube. A gaseous medium relatively lean in oxygen content, such as steam, is injected through an annulus surrounding the inner annulus.

Abstract: Trim control of a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is effected by two improved control schemes which are automatically operated separately or in sequence. The control systems include sensors sensing the flow rate of the feedstreams and analyzers which provide signals corresponding to the wt. % carbon in the effluent gas quench cooling and scrubbing water for use in controlling the particulate carbon in the effluent gas stream, and/or signals corresponding to the mole fraction of CH.sub.4 (dry basis) in the cooled and cleaned effluent gas stream for use in controlling the temperature in the reaction zone. The signals from the sensors and analyzers are provided to the system control unit which computes values that represent the relative difference between the actual and desired carbon-make and/or the actual temperature in the reaction zone, and the relative difference between the actual and desired temperature in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A novel gaseous fuel source and method of production thereof are disclosed. The gaseous fuel is produced by the reaction of carbon and water with the products of the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate-containing solids such as limestone.

Abstract: Trim control of a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is effected by two improved control schemes which are automatically operated separately or in sequence. The control systems include sensors sensing the flow rate of the feedstreams and analyzers which provide signals corresponding to the wt. % carbon in the effluent gas quench cooling and scrubbing water for use in controlling the particulate carbon in the effluent gas stream, and/or signals corresponding to the mole fractions of CO.sub.2, CH.sub.4, CO and H.sub.2 (dry basis) in the cooled and cleaned effluent gas stream for use in controlling the temperature in the reaction zone.

Abstract: In a process for gasification of solid carbonaceous material such as coal, powdered coal is top-blown onto a molten iron bath stored in a furnace through a non-submerged lance toward a hot spot formed by means of a jet of oxygen and steam top-blown through a non-submerged lance, the coal being blown by means of a carrier gas, and flux is optionally added into the furnace by the lump or blown toward the hot spot, thereby resulting in the coal being gasified. The ratio L/L.sub.o of the depression depth L of the molten iron bath to the molten iron bath depth L.sub.o is maintained from 0.05 to 0.15, and the blowing velocity of the solid carbonaceous material is maintained from 50 to 300 m/sec so as to suppress the formation of an adhered mass on the upper part of the furnace, hood or lance.

Abstract: Process and apparatus suitable for the regeneration of catalytic cracking catalyst particles and for the heating and partial conversion of coke particles from a coking process are described. The particles are heated in two successive zones, for example formed by two fluidized beds, conditions being controlled so that (1) only partial regeneration of catalyst particles or conversion of coke particles occurs in the first zone, and (2) there is no major evolution of heat from either zone.

Abstract: In a system of fluidized gasification of carbonaceous solids in which fines are burned in an external combustor to heat recycle solids, fines entrainment is reduced by introducing the finest of the fines into the combustor from the lower end of a fluidized fines feeder vessel whereby the said finest fines are selectively burned.

Abstract: A process for the partial oxidation of pumpable slurries of solid carbonaceous fuels in which the pumpable slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel in a liquid carrier is passed in liquid phase through one passage of a burner comprising a retracted central coaxial conduit, an outer coaxial conduit with a converging orifice at the downstream tip of the burner and, optionally, an intermediate coaxial conduit. The downstream tips of the central conduit and the intermediate conduit, if any, are retracted upstream from the burner face a distance of respectively two or more say 3 to 10 for the central conduit, and about 0 to 12 say 1 to 5 for the intermediate conduit times the minimum diameter of the converging orifice of the outer conduit at the burner tip. A pre-mix zone is thereby provided comprising one or more, say 2 to 5 coaxial pre-mix chambers in series.

Abstract: A method for starting up a pressurized partial oxidation gas generation system comprising a gas generator and gas purification train without atmospheric pollution. The method comprises isolating and prepressuring the gas purification train to a pressure of at least 50 percent of normal operating pressure, starting the gas generator and autogenously increasing the pressure in the gas generator to the pressure of the gas purification train before establishing communication with the gas purification train to permit flow of gas through the gas purification train. Purified gases discharged from the gas purification train may be burned in a flare without atmospheric pollution.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the conversion of solid carbonaceous fuels to combustible gases having a high energy content. The system utilizes a two-stage reaction system where a particulate fuel is entrained in a high velocity, hot gas stream emanating from a fixed-bed char reactor, the particulate fuel delivered to a gasification reactor by the hot gas stream while being rapidly heated (fast pyrolized). The gases produced are drawn a fixed distance through a bed of char at the bottom of the gasification reactor, after which they are withdrawn from the reactor and cooled. To promote methanation, the generated gases, after passing through the fixed bed of char in the gasification reactor, exit the reactor through a dip leg within the reactor filled with a catalyst which promotes methanation.

Abstract: This invention concerns an efficient, high recovery, single product, multiple-stage process for producing high BTU methane from a low BTU feed gas containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and other materials. In the process, impurities like hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are removed at the appropriate point. The carbon monoxide is removed and split into two streams. One stream is reacted with steam to provide additional hydrogen which is mixed with the other carbon monoxide stream and passed to a methanator. The hydrogen in the feed gas is recovered in an especially efficient two stage manner which is suitable for use with standard cooling water and which reduces metallurgical problems, compression requirements and heat requirements. In the first stage, metal hydrides are formed, thereby separating the hydrogen in the feed gas from nitrogen and the nitrogen exits and is removed.

Abstract: In the gasification of char with zinc oxide improvement comprises the process of quenching the reactor effluent with recycled, cold CO product gas, thereby reducing the tendency for zinc vapor to react with any CO.sub.2 present to form blue powder.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for periodically sluicing residues which are produced when gasifying ash-containing fuels with oxygen or an oxygen-containing composition under a pressure of 10 to 200 bars wherein ash is granulated in a water bath connected to a gasification chamber, suspended in water and passed into a non-pressurized collecting vessel provided with a conveyor is described. The improvement comprises:a. discharging the residue from said water bath which is maintained in fluid communication with said gasification chamber via a lock vessel, said lock vessel being connected to a surge tank which contains water so that the lock vessel remains constantly filled with water;b. equalizing the pressure between said lock vessel and said gasification chamber including said water bath by opening a connection to a process water feed line for said water bath and admitting water therein;c.

Abstract: A procedure for separating and recovering marsh gas from bog mud. The marsh gas is separated from the mud by conducting the mud into a separating space carrying a pressure lower than the pressure prevailing in the bog, and from which said space the gas separating from the mud is conducted to a place of storage or of use.