Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A process for the production of a gas having a high calorific value and containing more than about 50% methane by volume comprising supplying to a first reaction zone maintained under a pressure of about 5-150 bars counterflowing masses of coal and of oxygen and water vapor to produce a water vapor-containing raw gas having a temperature of about 350°-700° C, without cooling feeding said raw gas and oxygen into a second reaction zone maintained under a pressure of about 5-150 bars, said second reaction zone containing a bed of granular material of a particle size of about 3 to 80 mm and selected from the group composed of inert material and catalytic material, withdrawing from said second reaction zone an intermediate product gas having a temperature between about 600° C and 950° C, cooling said intermediate product gas, freeing it from sulfur compounds and subjecting it to methanation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A process for the production of a gas having a high calorific value and containing more than about 50% methane by volume comprising supplying to a first reaction zone maintained under a pressure of about 5-150 bars counterflowing masses of coal and of oxygen and water vapor to produce a water vapor-containing raw gas having a temperature of about 350°-700° C, without cooling feeding said raw gas and oxygen into a second reaction zone maintained under a pressure of about 5-150 bars, said second reaction zone containing a bed of granular material of a particle size of about 3 to 80 mm and selected from the group composed of inert material and catalytic material, withdrawing from said second reaction zone an intermediate product gas having a temperature between about 600° C and 950° C, cooling said intermediate product gas, freeing it from sulfur compounds and subjecting it to methanation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process according to claim 1, including the step of adding at least one of a dust fuel and liquid hydrocarbon to the water vapor-containing raw gas prior to its further reaction in the second zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process according to claim 1, including the step of contacting at least one of a dust fuel and liquid hydrocarbon with oxygen in a reaction chamber, and mixing the reaction product with the water vapor-containing raw gas prior to its further reaction in the second zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the dust fuel has a particle size up to about 2mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein a liquid hydrocarbon is vaporized or formed into a fine spray in which form it is added to the water-vapor containing raw gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust gas comprising combustible material is fed to the first reactor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the exhaust gas is used as an atomizing agent for dispersing a liquid hydrocarbon or dust fuel which is added to the reactor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the bed contains at least one oxide or sulfide or nickel, cobalt or chromium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the bed contains at least one of an oxide, spinel or silicate of at least one of aluminum and magnesium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the bed is mechanically moved.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the bed is maintained in a fluidized state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein the granular bed material is periodically removed from the second reactor, is freed from combustible residues and is returned at elevated temperature into the second reactor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the heat of second reaction required in the reactor for producing the intermediate product gas is supplied by a high-frequency electric field or by electric resistance heating.