Abstract: A gasification process for forming a gas mixture containing hydrogen wherein a hydrocarbon including a heavy residual oil is atomized with a mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and steam in an atomizing zone, the formed jet streams containing the atomized hydrocarbon drops are introduced to the catalyst bed while adjusting the residence time in the atomizing zone to 0.05 to 5 seconds, substantially without forming eddy currents and the reaction is carried out at a temperature of at least 850.degree. C. to form said gas mixture while avoiding deposition of solid carbon on said catalyst bed.

Abstract: A catalyst and a process for partially oxidizing hydrocarbons to hydrogen and carbon monoxide is provided. The catalyst consists essentially of rhodium, the rhodium being usually supported on a carrier. In the process, a mixture gas of a hydrocarbon such as naptha, gasoline and propane and an oxidizer such as air and/or oxygen is contacted with the rhodium catalyst at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: In pre-engine converters, a low octane fuel is contacted with a catalyst bed at high temperature cracking conditions to produce a gaseous product of substantially higher octane which is then fed, together with air, directly to an internal combustion engine. This improvement mixes oxygen with the fed fuel and uses a ZSM-5 zeolite alone or mixed with an oxidation catalyst for the conversion.

Abstract: A reaction carburetor for an internal combustion engine which operates to catalytically convert fuel from the liquid to the gaseous state for improved combustion. According to the invention, means are provided for stabilizing the flow of fuel and air in the carburetor. The stabilizing means include at least one temperature-stable body, arranged in the fuel-air flow path ahead of the catalyst, having a plurality of flow channels extending therethrough in the direction of the flow path.

Abstract: A water to fuel converter comprises an apparatus for utilizing gases produced from a water source to power internal combustion engines. The apparatus includes means for heating a supply of liquid water and introducing it in a fine spray into the base of an insulated chamber containing a series of electrically heated copper screens. As the heated water passes through the copper screens, it is at least partially decomposed and the gases formed by the decomposition travel through an outlet at the top of the chamber to the carburetor of an internal combustion engine where the gases serve as a fuel. Thus, the internal combustion engine is powered by a relatively clean fuel source which can be produced from a readily available substance, such as water.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining the operating temperature in a device in which exhaust gases are passed from an engine through a fuel reformer in indirect heat exchange with fuel and steam in contact with a catalytic bed for steam reforming the fuel, the reformed fuel is brought into heat exchange relationship with the fuel and water entering the fuel reformer and thereafter the engine is operated utilizing this reformed fuel for lowering the amount of pollutant species from the engine.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting higher hydrocarbons, in particular for converting such hydrocarbons into gas mixtures containing carbon monoxide, methane and/or hydrogen in which the active component oxides of the metals lanthanum, cobalt, nickel, uranium, cerium and thorium are placed on an oxide substrate, preferably a sintered body of magnesium oxide or aluminum oxide to result in a catalytic structure particularly useful with internal combustion engines for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting hydrocarbons, particularly high hydrocarbons mixed with a gas containing oxygen into gas mixtures containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen in which iron, chromium and at least one of the metals molybdenum and tungsten are applied as an active metal component to a catalyst carrier made of .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, .eta.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and/or .delta.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for producing hydrogen-rich product gases by mixing a spray of liquid hydrocarbon with a stream of air in a startup procedure and the mixture is ignited for partial oxidation, then the stream of air is heated by the resulting combustion to reach a temperature such that a signal is produced. The signal triggers a two way valve which directs liquid hydrocarbon from a spraying mechanism to a vaporizing mechanism with which a vaporized hydrocarbon is formed. The vaporized hydrocarbon is subsequently mixed with the heated air in the combustion chamber where partial oxidation takes place and hydrogen-rich product gases are produced.

Abstract: A process for recovering particulate carbon from the effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation synthesis gas generator by scrubbing the effluent gas with water in a scrubbing zone to form a carbon-water dispersion, mixing said dispersion in mixing and separating zones with a light liquid hydrocarbon fuel fraction extractant to produce a clarified water layer and a carbon-liquid hydrocarbon fuel dispersion, separating and recycling said clarified water to said scrubbing zone; separating said carbon light liquid hydrocarbon fuel dispersion and introducing same into a centrifugal separation zone; separately withdrawing from said centrifugal separation zone a thick stream of carbon-liquid hydrocarbon fuel dispersion and a separate thin stream of carbon-liquid hydrocarbon fuel dispersion; degasifying said clean centrifugal stream and introducing said thin centrifugal stream into said mixing and separating zone as a portion of said light liquid hydrocarbon fuel extractant, intoducing said thick stream of carbon-

Abstract: A process for recovering particulate carbon from the effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation synthesis gas generator by scrubbing the effluent gas with water in a scrubbing zone to form a carbon-water dispersion, by mixing said dispersion in a mixing zone with liquid organic extractant comprising a mixture of the liquid organic by-products from the oxo or oxyl process, optionally in admixture with a light liquid-hydrocarbon fuel fraction, to produce a clarified water layer and a carbon-extractant dispersion, by separating and recycling said clarified water to said scrubbing zone, by separating said carbon-extractant dispersion and introducing same into a fractional-distillation zone in admixture with fresh liquid-hydrocarbon fuel feedstock, by recycling a light fraction from said distillation zone to said mixing zone as said liquid organic extractant, and by introducing a pumpable bottoms carbon slurry from said distillation zone into said synthesis-gas generator as at least a portion of the fuel.

Abstract: A process for recovering particulate carbon from the effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation synthesis-gas generator by scrubbing the effluent gas with water in a scrubbing zone to form a carbon-water dispersion, by mixing said dispersion with a liquid organic extractant comprising a mixture of the liquid organic by-products from the oxo or oxyl process so as to produce a clarified water layer and a carbon-extractant dispersion, by separating and recycling said clarified water to said scrubbing zone, and by introducing part or all of said carbon-extractant dispersion to said gas generator as at least a portion of the generator feedstock.

Abstract: A process for the gasification of carbonaceous materials to produce a high B.T.U. gaseous product is disclosed. The process includes the partial oxidation of a fluid hydrocarbon to produce a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, followed by contacting the gaseous mixture with a relatively cool, finely-divided carbonaceous solid material. The resulting gas-solid mixture is then passed along with a carbonaceous feed into a high velocity transfer line reactor furnace, and the solid material is removed from the gas-solid mixture which emerges from the reactor furnace. The present invention is particularly well suited for the hydrogasification of high boiling, carbon-rich feedstocks such as reduced crude oils.

Abstract: A process for the gasification of oil containing finely dispersed solids, e.g., oil from tar sands, by partial combustion in a hollow reactor is disclosed in which process the gaseous oxidant is introduced into the reactor under flow conditions characterized by a relatively large axial velocity component as compared with the tangential flow component resulting in a relatively long flame.

Abstract: Substantially sulfur-free combustible fuel gas under superatmospheric pressure is produced by partial combustion or gasification under superatmospheric pressure of a sulfur-containing solid, liquid or gaseous fuel. The gasification is effected within a fluidized bed of particles containing alkaline earth metal compounds (e.g. the oxides) which are capable of reacting with, and of fixing, the fuel sulfur as sulfides under reducing conditions. Sulfide-containing particles are exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere and the sulfides are thereby converted to oxides with the liberation of SO.sub.2 in useful concentrations, and with the liberation of heat. Particles containing regenerated oxides are re-used for fixing more sulfur during fuel gasification. Expedients are described by which it is ensured that the sulfur-fixing activity of the particles is substantially maintained and that the temperatures of the particles during sulfur-fixing and regeneration are maintained within predetermined ranges.

Abstract: The disclosed process provides for the production of a desulfurized fuel gas from a sulfur-containing fuel oil by absorption, in a first reaction zone, of the sulfur contaminants with a calcium oxide-containing material, which material is then further treated to render it environmentally stable without producing a sulfur-rich gas process stream. The spent limestone from the oil gasifier is reacted with an oxygen-containing gas in a second reaction zone for conversion of the calcium sulfide to calcium sulfate and the sulfated material is then transferred to a third reaction zone wherein it is reacted with carbon dioxide for conversion of the calcium oxide to calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A partial combustion process wherein a substantial portion of the soot formed in the combustion reactor is separated from the crude gas, e.g., by hot cyclones, and burned in a separate combustion zone with an excess of oxygen, optionally in the presence of steam, to yield a hot gas containing oxygen, carbon dioxide and water. This hot gas product, dependent on the ash content of the hydrocarbon feed is then subject to an optional solids removal step prior to its introduction into the partial combustion reactor where the oxygen contained therein supplies at least a portion of the oxidant requirement for partial oxidation and the carbon dioxide and water present therein are substantially converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: The gaseous product obtained by the partial oxidation of a fuel such as coal and/or oil is desulfurized and then admitted into a packed gas-liquid contact column. Here, the gas comes into contact with water so as to become at least partially saturated with water vapor. The gas is next conveyed to a reactor wherein it undergoes a methane-forming reaction under isothermal conditions, the methane-forming reaction taking place without previously subjecting the gas to a conversion reaction. The methane-forming reaction is carried out catalytically with a nickel-containing catalyst and deposition of carbon from the gas onto the catalyst is prevented by virtue of the water vapor present during the reaction. The quantity of water vapor present during the reaction is adjusted so as to lie between predetermined limits. After completion of the reaction, the gas is admitted into another packed gas-liquid column wherein it is cooled by contact with cooling water at which time residual water vapor in the gas condenses.

Abstract: The gaseous mixture obtained from the partial oxidation of coal and/or heavy oil is desulfurized. Thereafter, the gaseous mixture is admitted into a reactor wherein it simultaneously undergoes a conversion reaction and a methanization reaction. The reactions take place at a temperature between 280.degree. and 500.degree.C and at a pressure between 3 and 60 atmospheres in excess of atmospheric pressure. The reactions proceed catalytically in the presence of conventional catalysts. After having been subjected to the reactions, the gaseous mixture is conveyed to a scrubber for the removal of carbon dioxide. A gas containing at least 80 percent by volume of methane is obtained.