US3854895A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for producing a methane-rich gas usable in place of natural gas
Assignee: GEA Group AG
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Filing: 1972-11-15
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A methane-rich gas which can be used in place of natural gas is produced by A. PRODUCING A PRIMARY GAS BY THE PRESSURE GASIFICATION OF COAL WITH STEAM AND OXYGEN; B. DIVIDING THE PRIMARY GAS INTO TWO STREAMS; C. CONVERTING THE CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT OF ONE OF SAID STREAMS WITH STEAM TO CARBON DIOXIDE AND HYDROGEN AND THEREAFTER WASHING OUT THE CARBON DIOXIDE; D. PURIFYING SAID STREAMS BY REMOVING CATALYST POISONS; E. CATALYTICALLY HYDROGENATING THE CONVERTED GAS STREAM FROM (C) TO A GAS CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF HYDROGEN, METHANE AND WATER VAPOR; F. PASSING THE GAS STREAM FROM (E) THROUGH A PLURALITY OF SUCCESSIVE LAYERS OF A METHANATION CATALYST AND REACTING SAME IN EACH SUCCESSIVE LAYER WITH A PORTION OF THE OTHER OF THE GAS STREAMS FROM (B).
Inventors
- 👤 W Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:31
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L3/00; C10L3/06; C10L3/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S585/00; Y10S585/929; Y10S585/943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A METHANE-RICH GAS USABLE IN PLACE OF NATURAL GAS WHICH COMPRISES: A. PRODUCING A PRIMARY GAS BY THE PRESSURE GASIFICATION OF COAL WITH STEAM AND OXYGEN; B. DIVIDING THE PRIMARY GAS INTO TWO STREAMS; C. CONVERTING THE CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT OF ONE OF SAID STREAMS WITH STEAM TO CARBON DIOXIDE AND HYDROGEN AND THEREAFTER WASHING OUT THE CARBON DIOXIDE; D. PURIFYING SAID STREAMS BY REMOVING CATALYST POISONS; E. PASSING SAID WASHED, PURIFIED AND CONVERTED STREAM THROUGH A FIRST METHANATION STAGE; F. DIVIDING THE UNCONVERTED GAS STREAM FROM (B) IN AT LEAST TWO STREAMS; G. COOLING THE PRODUCT GAS FROM SAID FIRST METHANATION STAGE (E) AND PASSING IT IN ADMIXTURE WITH THE FIRST STREAM OF THE UNCONVERTED GAS STREAM FROM (F) THROUGH A SECOND METHANATION TAGE, H. COOLING THE PRODUCT GAS FROM SAID SECOND METHANATION STAGE (G) AND PASSING IT IN ADMIXTURE WITH THE SECOND STREAM OF THE UNCONVERTED GAS STREAM FROM (F) THROUGH A THIRD METHANATION STAGE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A METHANE-RICH GAS USABLE IN PLACE OF NATURAL GAS WHICH COMPRISES: A. PRODUCING A PRIMARY GAS BY THE PRESSURE GASIFICATION OF COAL WITH STEAM AND OXYGEN; B. DIVIDING THE PRIMARY GAS INTO TWO STREAMS; C. CONVERTING THE CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT OF ONE OF SAID STREAMS WITH STEAM TO CARBON DIOXIDE AND HYDROGEN AND THEREAFTER WASHING OUT THE CARBON DIOXIDE; D. PURIFYING SAID STREAMS BY REMOVING CATALYST POISONS; E. PASSING SAID WASHED, PURIFIED AND CONVERTED STREAM THROUGH A FIRST METHANATION STAGE; F. DIVIDING THE UNCONVERTED GAS STREAM FROM (B) IN AT LEAST TWO STREAMS; G. COOLING THE PRODUCT GAS FROM SAID FIRST METHANATION STAGE (E) AND PASSING IT IN ADMIXTURE WITH THE FIRST STREAM OF THE UNCONVERTED GAS STREAM FROM (F) THROUGH A SECOND METHANATION TAGE, H. COOLING THE PRODUCT GAS FROM SAID SECOND METHANATION STAGE (G) AND PASSING IT IN ADMIXTURE WITH THE SECOND STREAM OF THE UNCONVERTED GAS STREAM FROM (F) THROUGH A THIRD METHANATION STAGE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the one stream converted in step (c) to the other unconverted stream in step (b) is between 5 : 1 and 1 : 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the two streams from (b) are separately purified, especially desulfurized in step (d) and the residual concentration of carbon dioxide in the converted and washed stream from step (c) is established at less than 3 percent by volume and the carbon dioxide concentration in the other stream is not substantially varied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the sum of the compositions of the converted and washed gas stream from (c) and the other stream from (b) satisfies the ratio H2/3 CO + 4 CO2 0.96 to 0.99.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process of claim 1 wherein purification step (d) is carried out by washing with organic, absorbing solvents.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Process of claim 5 wherein the same solvent is used to purify both of the gas streams in step (b).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Process of claim 5 wherein a water-soluble organic polar compound at temperatures less than 0*C is the solvent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
9 words
Process of claim 5 wherein the solvent is methanol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the heat of the reaction in the second and third methanation stages in steps (g) and (h) is removed from the reaction mixture flowing from each stage by indirect heat exchange with Boiling water under pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Process of claim 1 characterized in that the heat of the reaction in the second and third methanation stages in steps (g) and (h) is removed by indirect cooling of the methanation catalyst with boiling water under pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the second and/or third methanation stages in steps (g) and (h) are preceded by a layer of a catalyst to convert carbon monoxide with steam to carbon dioxide and hydrogen with an increase in temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Process of claim 1 wherein methanation is carried out in all stages on nickel containing catalysts on a ceramic support.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Process of claim 1 wherein said first methanation stage (e) comprises a plurality of successive layers of methanation catalyst and portions of said converted stream are fed between successive layers of said catalyst.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |