Hydrogen manufacturing process

Claim 2

A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN WHICH COMPRISES: A. CONTACTING PARTICLES CONTAINING A MIXTURE OF STANNIC OXIDE AND METALLIC TIN WITH A REDUCING GAS AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE BETWEEN ABOUT 800*F. AND ABOUT 1,200*F. UNTIL FROM ABOUT 30 TO ABOUT 50 WEIGHT PERCENT OF SAID STANNIC OXIDE HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO METALLIC TIN; B. DISCONTINUING THE CONTACTING OF SAID PARTICLES WITH SAID REDUCING GAS;

Claim 3

A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said reducing gas is a synthesis gas produced from a carbonaceous solid.

Claim 4

A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said particles containing said stannic oxide and metallic tin are contacted with said reducing gas at substantially atmospheric pressure.

Claim 5

A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said particles are contacted with said steam at a pressure in the range between about 100 and about 2,500 pounds per square inch.

Claim 6

A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said particles are contacted with said reducing gas and with said steam at substantially the same temperature.

Claim 7

A process as defined by claim 5 wherein said temperature is in the range between about 800* F. and about 1,000* F.

Claim 8

A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said particles are contacted with said reducing gas and with said steam in fixed beds.

Claim 9

A process as defined by claim 1 including the additional step of recovering from said contacting of said particles with said reducing gas a gas stream containing carbon dioxide and unreacted reducing gas, treating said gas stream for the removal of carbon dioxide, and recycling the treated gas for the contacting of said particles.

Claim 10

A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said particles in step (a) comprise a porous, high surface area solid support.

Claim 11

A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said reducing gas comprises carbon monoxide.

Claim 12

A process for the manufacture of high pressure hydrogen which comprises: a. introducing a reducing gas comprising carbon monoxide and less than about 25 volume percent carbon dioxide into a reaction zone containing a fixed bed of stannic oxide and metallic tin, said reducing gas being introduced at a temperature in the range between about 800* F. and about 1, 200* F.; b. withdrawing a gas stream of Increased carbon dioxide content overhead from said reaction zone; c. discontinuing the introduction of said reducing gas into said reaction zone after from about 30 to about 50 weight percent of said stannic oxide has been converted to metallic tin; d. thereafter introducing steam into said reaction zone at a temperature in the range between about 800* F. and about 1, 200* F. and at elevated pressure and withdrawing a gas stream containing steam and high pressure hydrogen overhead from said reaction zone; and e. removing steam from said gas stream and recovering high pressure hydrogen.

Claim 13

A process for the manufacture of high pressure hydrogen which comprises: a. introducing a reducing gas comprising carbon monoxide and less than about 25 volume percent carbon dioxide into a reaction zone containing a fixed bed of stannic oxide and metallic tin, said reducing gas being introduced at a temperature in the range between about 800* F. and about 1, 200* F.; b. withdrawing a gas stream of Increased carbon dioxide content overhead from said reaction zone; c. discontinuing the introduction of said reducing gas into said reaction zone after from about 30 to about 50 weight percent of said stannic oxide has been converted to metallic tin; d. thereafter introducing steam into said reaction zone at a temperature in the range between about 800* F. and about 1, 200* F. and at elevated pressure and withdrawing a gas stream containing steam and high pressure hydrogen overhead from said reaction zone; and e. removing steam from said gas stream and recovering high pressure hydrogen.

Claim 14

A process as defined by claim 11 wherein said introduction of steam into said reaction zone is discontinued after from about 50 to about 85 weight percent of said metallic tin has reacted with steam to produce hydrogen.

Claim 15

A process as defined by claim 11 wherein said reducing gas is a synthesis gas produced by the treatment of coal with steam.

Claim 16

A process as defined by claim 11 wherein said reducing gas is a producer gas generated by the treatment of carbonaceous solids with air.

Claim 17

A process as defined by claim 11 wherein said reducing gas consists essentially of carbon monoxide.

Claim 18

A process as defined by claim 11 wherein said reducing gas is introduced into said reaction zone at substantially atmospheric pressure.

Claim 19

A process as defined by claim 11 wherein said steam is introduced into said reaction zone at a pressure in the range between about 100 and about 2,500 pounds per square inch.

Claim 20

A process as defined by claim 11 wherein said gas stream of increased carbon dioxide content is treated for the removal of at least part of the carbon dioxide and recycled to said reaction zone.

Claim 21

A process as defined by claim 11 wherein said reducing gas and said steam are introduced into said reaction zone at substantially the same temperature.