Abstract: An autothermal reformer according to the principles of the present invention comprises a first stage that selectively receives a fuel flow, a first oxidant flow, and a steam flow. The first stage has a first portion of a catalyst bed. The fluids within the first stage are routed through the first portion of the catalyst bed and react. There is a second stage downstream from and communicating with the first stage. The second stage receives the fluids from the first stage and also selectively receives a second oxidant flow. The second oxidant flow and the fluids received from the first stage flow through a second portion of a catalyst bed and further react.

Abstract: Process, and apparatus, for the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a reactor, preferably one containing a bed of a particulate solids catalyst, or catalyst and solids diluent, by contacting and reacting within the reaction zone a low molecular weight hydrocarbon feed, steam and oxygen, or a low molecular weight hydrocarbon feed and oxygen, at high temperature. An oxygen stream preheated to high temperature is fed via a nozzle inlet, or inlets, into the reactor, while the hydrocarbon and steam, or hydrocarbon, is fed via a different nozzle inlet, or inlets, into the reactor. Preferred oxygen nozzle designs are constituted of nickel-chromium-iron alloys, especially Inconel 600, and Inconel alloys of the 600 series generally. The oxygen nozzle is comprised of a tubular body with inlet, and outlets of special design, which renders the nozzle especially useful in the intensely hot oxygen environment.

Abstract: A convective reformer device is provided which is useful for partially reforming a feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam. The device includes an outer shell enclosure and a tubular inner core assembly and is specifically adapted to support heat exchange between a heating fluid, which may be an effluent from downstream, and the hydrocarbon-steam feed mixture. The convective reformer is used in a system and process for the steam reformation of hydrocarbons, in which the partially reformed effluent from the convective reformer is further reformed in a steam reforming furnace, or an auto-thermal reformer, or a steam reforming furnace followed by an auto-thermal reformer. The fully reformed effluent from the steam reformer, or auto-thermal reformer, is directed back to the convective reformer to supply the heat of reaction for the partial reformation of the feed mixture.

Abstract: A convective reformer device is provided which is useful for partially reforming a feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam. The device includes an outer shell enclosure and a tubular inner core assembly and is specifically adapted to support heat exchange between a heating fluid, which may be an effluent from downstream, and the hydrocarbon-steam feed mixture. The convective reformer is used in a system and process for the steam reformation of hydrocarbons, in which the partially reformed effluent from the convective reformer is further reformed in a steam reforming furnace, or an auto-thermal reformer, or a steam reforming furnace followed by an auto-thermal reformer. The fully reformed effluent from the steam reformer, or auto-thermal reformer, is directed back to the convective reformer to supply the heat of reaction for the partial reformation of the feed mixture.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a product gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxide from a feedgas mixture comprised substantiallty of hydrocarbon, includes a vessel partitioned by a tubesheet into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Reformer tubes are mounted on and extend through the tubesheet from the upper chamber into the lower chamber. Each reformer tube is laterally enclosed over at least a portion of its axial length downwardly from the tubesheet by a jacket spaced outwardly therefrom forming an annular space extending along each said tube for establishing communication between the upper the lower chambers, allowing the product gas to be withdrawn from the upper chamber. The tubesheet forms a distribution chamber for directing the feedgas mixture into the reformer tubes. The tubesheet is formed of an inner hollow body mounted within an outer hollow body, with the two hollow bodies being in flow communication.

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 control system for a partial oxidation process for continuously producing synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas in which process one 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. 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: 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: A burner 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. Throughput levels may be rapidly changed--up and down--without sacrificing stable operation.

Abstract: A gas making retort includes a substantially upright mixing chamber opening into a first horizontal refractory cylinder which encloses a second horizontal refractory cylinder. The second cylinder encloses two centrally positioned refractory circular gas out take tubes directly opposite to each other. Each of the cylinders has a cylindrical passageway for the introduction of a mixture of air, steam and a carbonaceous material from the mixing chamber into a gas making space defined between the internal ends of the gas out take tubes wherein a partial combustion of the mixture takes place.

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: Apparatus for converting a combustible material such as a hydrocarbon or carbon fuel into a gaseous fuel containing H.sub.2 and/or CO by reaction with a heated mixture of O.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O prepared by decomposition of H.sub.2 O.sub.2, characterized by the provision of a venturi section located upstream of the entrance to a reaction chamber for increasing the velocity of the flow of the O.sub.2 --H.sub.2 O mixture and arrangement of the combustible feed line to add the combustible to the mixture at the venturi.

Abstract: Vehicle-mounted gaseous fuel generator consisting of a primary heat-exchange chamber holding coiled pipes for separately preheating a liquid hydrocarbon and water, a secondary heat-exchange chamber similarly equipped with coiled pipes utilizing the heat of the engine exhaust to heat and vaporize each of the fuel materials which have been preheated in the primary heat-exchange chamber, a reaction-reforming chamber composed of an outer reaction chamber for blending the hydrocarbon vaporized in the secondary heat exchange chamber with air for partial oxidation and an inner steam-reforming catalyst layer through which the combined flow of the partially oxidized gas and the vaporized water is passed to be transformed into an inflammable gas, and an apparatus for collecting the inflammable gas in a gas-collector and transmitting it via the primary heat-exchange chamber to the carburetor of the engine.

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: A process and apparatus is described for producing a hydrogen rich gas by injecting air and hydrocarbon fuel at one end of a cylindrically shaped chamber to form a mixture, igniting the mixture to provide hot combustion gases, by partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon fuel. The combustion gases move away from the ignition region to another region where water is injected to be turned into steam by the hot combustion gases. The steam which is formed mixes with the hot gases present to yield a uniform hot gas whereby a steam reforming reaction with the hydrocarbon fuel takes place to produce a hydrogen rich gas.