Generation of synthesis gas

Claim 1

IN THE PROCESS FOR THE GENERATION OF SYNETHESIS GAS COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY HYDROGEN AND CARBON MONOXIDE FROM HIGH BOILING POINT LIQUID HYDROCARBONS RELATIVELY DEFICIENT IN HYDROGEN, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES REACTING SAID HYDROCARBON AT A TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE RANGE OF 1,600* F. TO 2,6000* F. WITH HIGH PURITY FREE OXYGEN IN A REGULATED AMOUNT SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THAT STOICHIOMETRICALLY NECESSARY TO CONVERT SAID HYDROCARBON COMPLETELY INTO HYDROGEN AND CARBON MONOXIDE THEREBY MAINTAINING CARBON-FORMING CONDITIONS SUCH TAHT THE HIGH BOILING HYDROCARBON IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY CONVERTED INTO SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL TOGETHER WITH GASES COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY HYDROGEN AND CARBON MONOXIDE, SEPARATING THE CARBONACEOUS SOLIDS THUS LIBERATED, REACTING SAID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL IN A SEPARATE SUCCEEDING STEP WITH A MIXTURE OF STEAM AND HIGH PURITY OXYGEN IN RELATIVE PROPORTION EFFECTIVE TO MAINTAIN SAID REACTION ZONE AUTOGENEOUSLY AT AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE SUCH THAT SAID REACTION PROCEEDS WITH THE PRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL HYDROGEN AND CARBON MONOXIDE, AND OXIDE THUS PRODUCED.