EP0163385A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Process for producing synthesis gas by partial combustion of hydrocarbons
Assignee: BP PLC
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Filing: 1985-04-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-04-02
Abstract
Abstract Process for the production of synthesis gas and higher hydrocarbons in which a saturated hydrocarbon and an oxygen containing gas having a ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion are introduced into a bed of an inert particulate material. The upward flow rate of the hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas stream is sufficient to fluidise or to produce a spouting action of the bed material, whereby the particulate material is thrown up above the bed surface and subsequently falls back into the bed. The hydrocarbon and oxygen containing gas are ignited and reacted together, and the products of the reaction withdrawn.
Inventors
- 👤 John Howard Brophy
- 👤 Felix Jiri Weinberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:42
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/32; C01B3/34; C01B3/38; C01B3/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A process for the production of synthesis gas and higher hydrocarbons in which (a) a saturated hydrocarbon and an oxygen containing gas having a ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion are introduced into a bed of an inert particulate material, (b) the upward flow rate of the hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas stream being sufficient to fluidise or to produce a spouting action of the bed material, whereby at least a part of the particulate material is thrown up above the bed surface and subsequently falls back into the bed, (c) the hydrocarbon and oxygen containing gas being ignited and reacted together, and (d) the products of the reaction being withdrawn.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A process for the production of synthesis gas and higher hydrocarbons in which (a) a saturated hydrocarbon and an oxygen containing gas having a ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion are introduced into a bed of an inert particulate material, (b) the upward flow rate of the hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas stream being sufficient to fluidise or to produce a spouting action of the bed material, whereby at least a part of the particulate material is thrown up above the bed surface and subsequently falls back into the bed, (c) the hydrocarbon and oxygen containing gas being ignited and reacted together, and (d) the products of the reaction being withdrawn.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the upward flow rate of the hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas stream causes surface bubbling of the bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the upward flow rate of the hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas stream forms a fountain of particles above the bed surface, the particles falling back into the bed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the hydrocarbon and oxygen containing gas are pre-mixed prior to introduction to the bed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which the hydrocarbon gas comprises methane, ethane or natural gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims in which the oxygen containing gas is oxygen or air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims in which the hydrocarbon and/or the oxygen containing gas are pre-heated prior to introduction to the bed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims in which the composition of hydrocarbon gas and oxygen containing gas is 1.1 to 5 times the stoichiometric ratio of hydrocarbon/oxygen for complete combustion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims operated at a pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims in which the bed of particulate material comprises firebrick, quartz, carborundum, zirconia, silicon carbide, ceramic or forms of carbon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 10 in which the particulate size diameter is 0.01-10 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims in which the bed has ancillary heating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims in which the reaction is initiated by preheating the bed material by igniting and burning a near stoichiometric hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas mixture in the bed until the bed temperature is sufficient to sustain combustion of an hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas mixture having a ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims in which the reaction is quenched.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 14 in which the reaction is quenched by the introduction of steam or water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 14 in which the reaction is quenched by the introduction of a liquid saturated hydrocarbon into the hot product gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims in which further hydrocarbon gas is introduced to the bed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 17 in which the further hydrocarbon gas is different in composition or constitution from the hydrocarbon gas.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 17 or claim 18 in which the further hydrocarbon gas is introduced parallel, perpendicular, or countercurrent to the hydrocarbon/oxygen containing gas mixture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to any of the preceding claims which is carried out in one or more particulate beds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB568913A
Cited
FR1182135A
Cited
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