US3847567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Catalytic coal hydrogasification process
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1973-08-27
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1993-08-27
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 T Kalina
- 👤 R Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:47
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10J; C10J3/00; C10J3/46; C10J3/54; C07; C07C; C07C1/00; C10K; C10K1/00; C10K1/002; C10K1/003; C10K1/004; C10K1/005; C10L; C10L3/00; C10L3/06; C10L3/08; C10L3/10; C10L3/101; C10L3/102; C10L3/106; C07C2527/00; C07C2527/20; C07C2527/232; C10J2300/00; C10J2300/09; C10J2300/0913; C10J2300/093; C10J2300/0953; C10J2300/0959; C10J2300/0966; C10J2300/0973; C10J2300/0983; C10J2300/0986; C10J2300/16; C10J2300/164; C10J2300/1656; C10J2300/1662; C10J2300/18; C10J2300/1807; C10J2300/1823; C10J2300/1853; C10J2300/1861; C10J2300/1884; C10J2300/1892; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S585/00; Y10S585/929; Y10S585/943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF METHANE WHICH COMPRISES: A. REACTING FINELY DIVIDED CARBONACEOUS SOLIDS WITH STEAM AND HYDROGEN IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ALKALI METAL CATALYST IN A HYDROGASIFIER AND WITHDRAWING A METHANERICH GAS OVERHEAD FROM AID HYDROGASIFIER; B. REACTING SAID METHANE-RICH GAS WITH STEAM IN A CATALYTIC STEAM REFORMING FURNACE AND WITHDRAWING A METHANE RICH GAS OF INCREASED HYDROGEN CONTENT FROM SAID REFORMING FURNACE; C. TREATING SAID GAS OF INCREASED HYDROGEN CONTENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF ACIDIC CONSTITUENTS; D. SEPARATING THE TREATED GAS INTO A PRODUCT METHANE STREAM, A HYDROGEN STREAM, AND CARBON MONOXIDE STREAM;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF METHANE WHICH COMPRISES: A. REACTING FINELY DIVIDED CARBONACEOUS SOLIDS WITH STEAM AND HYDROGEN IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ALKALI METAL CATALYST IN A HYDROGASIFIER AND WITHDRAWING A METHANERICH GAS OVERHEAD FROM AID HYDROGASIFIER; B. REACTING SAID METHANE-RICH GAS WITH STEAM IN A CATALYTIC STEAM REFORMING FURNACE AND WITHDRAWING A METHANE RICH GAS OF INCREASED HYDROGEN CONTENT FROM SAID REFORMING FURNACE; C. TREATING SAID GAS OF INCREASED HYDROGEN CONTENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF ACIDIC CONSTITUENTS; D. SEPARATING THE TREATED GAS INTO A PRODUCT METHANE STREAM, A HYDROGEN STREAM, AND CARBON MONOXIDE STREAM;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein carbonaceous solids are reacted with said steam and hydrogen in said hydrogasifier at a temperature in the range between about 1,200* F. and about 1, 500* F. and at a pressure in the range between about 100 and about 5,000 psig.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said alkali metal catalyst is an alkali metal carbonate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said methane-rich gas is contacted with said steam in said catalytic steam reforming furnace at a temperature in the range between about 1,300* F. and about 1,700* F. and at a pressuRe in the range between about 100 and about 5,000 psig.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said steam reforming catalyst is an alkali metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said separation is performed cryogenically.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said catalyst in said hydrogasifier comprises from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, on a moisture and ash-free basis, of the total solids in the hydrogasifier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said carbonaceous solids comprise a bituminous or lower rank coal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as defined by claim 2 wherein said solids are reacted with said steam and hydrogen in said hydrogasifier at a pressure between about 500 and about 1,000 psig.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as defined by claim 3 wherein said catalyst comprises potassium carbonate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as defined by claim 4 wherein said gas is reacted with said steam in said reforming furnace at a pressure between about 500 and about 1,000 psig.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as defined by claim 5 wherein said catalyst comprises potassium carbonate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |