Abstract:
This is an improved continuous process for producing a clean methane-rich gas stream without the concomitant formation of particulate carbon which would ordinarily decrease the efficiency of the process and shorten the life of the catalyst. By-product superheated steam is simultaneously produced at a maximum temperature. The product stream may have a methane content up to 98 to 99 mole % or higher and a gross heating value up to 1000 BTU per SCF or more. Process steps include partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel under operating conditions that produce a synthesis gas containing 10 to 30 mole % methane (dry and CO2free basis) and a H2/CO mole ratio of 2.6 or higher, and reacting the methane-rich process gas stream in one to three catalytic methanation stages under critical operating conditions that increase the methane content in the process gas stream stepwise up to 98 mole % or higher without incipient soot formation for each corresponding CH4 content of the feed as one proceeds from one methanation step to another. Heat from the highly exothermic methanation reaction is used to make valuable by-product superheated steam. The product gas may be burned without polluting the atmosphere.
Abstract:
A process for producing synthesis gas under substantially endothermic gasification conditions, which comprises: (a) feeding an organic feed material, containing hydrogen and at least 10 weight percent oxygen and containing less than 5 weight percent sulfur, to a reaction zone; (b) feeding steam to the reaction zone; and (c) contacting the steam with the organic feed material in the reaction zone at a temperature between about 500* and 1,600*F. Preferably the feed material is solid waste material, most preferably solid municipal waste.
Abstract:
A method of feeding solid carbonaceous material to a gasifier operating under conditions of high temperature and pressure by forming a slurry of the carbonaceous material and a liquid vehicle, raising the internal pressure of the slurry to the operating level of the gasifier, drying the carbonaceous material by entraining the carbonaceous material in a hot gas stream, and thereafter separating the carbonaceous material and feeding the carbonaceous material to the gasifier. The method is adaptable to using the gasifier effluent to dry the carbonaceous material and includes using process materials such as char accumulated from the process and condensing steam to provide a portion of the source of carbonaceous materials and vehicle for the slurry.
Abstract:
Methane is produced by the thermoneutral reaction of steam with coal or other carbonaceous material in a hydrogasification zone containing an alkali metal catalyst and sufficient hydrogen to suppress competing endothermic reactions. The gas taken overhead from the gasifier is subjected to steam reforming and then processed for the removal of acid constituents, hydrogen which is recycled to the hydrogasification zone, and carbon monoxide which is used as fuel for the steam reformer.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a co-gasification process that uses biomass and VGO as a feedstock to produce syngas which includes a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
Abstract:
A method and system for converting an aqueous salt containing sludge into gases and a solid residue is described. The sludge is pyrolyzed and gasified with the assistance of microwave radiation.
Abstract:
A gasifier, including a vertically disposed furnace body, a monitoring unit, and a microwave plasma generating device. The furnace body includes a material and fuel inlet, a syngas outlet, an oxygen/vapor inlet, and a slag outlet. The furnace body has a clearance zone in an upper part thereof and a fixed bed zone in a lower part thereof. The slag outlet is disposed at the bottom of the furnace body. The monitoring unit is disposed close to the syngas outlet. At least one microwave plasma generating device is disposed on the furnace body.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for gasifying carbon-containing materials in which the material for gasification and oxygen, usually in the form of air, are supplied to a gas generator where the gasification takes place in a fixed bed reactor. The product gas is drawn off via a product gas line and introduced into a hot gas filter. A filter, preferably provided with filter candles, removes solids such as particles not yet gasified, ash and foreign bodies, while clean gas passes through and is taken off via a clean gas line. An outlet is provided in the bottom region of the hot gas filter to remove residual solids. The hot gas filter is supplied through a line with oxygen, preferably in the form of air, in its middle height region, between the filter bottom and the outlet.