Abstract:
Process for the production of an improved reducing gas comprising essentially H2+CO and having a minimum ''''reducing ratio'''' (H2+CO)/(H2O+CO2) of 15. The reducing gas is generated in a separate unpacked noncatalytic reaction zone by the partial oxidation of a liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel, substantially in the absence of supplemental H2O. The temperature in the reaction zone is moderated by a gas mixture having a ''''reducing ratio'''' greater than about 1, for example: a portion of cooled reducing gas from the reaction zone; or a portion of the off-gas from an integrated process zone such as an ore reduction zone; or a mixture of both of these gases. In addition to the metallurgical applications, the gas mixtures, as produced by the process of this invention, may be used directly as a fuel gas or as feedstock in processes for the synthesis of methanol, hydrocarbons, or oxygenated organic chemicals.
Abstract:
PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN IMPROVED REDUCING GAS COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY H2+CO AND HAVING A MINIMUM "REDUCING RATIO" (H2+CO)/(H2O+CO2) OF 15. THE REDUCING GAS IS GENERATED IN A SEPARATE UNPACKED NONCATALYTIC REACTION ZONE BY THE PARTIAL OXIDATION OF A LIQUID HYDROCARBONACEOUS FUEL, SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE ABSENCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL H2O. THE TEMPERATURE IN THE REACTION ZONE IS MODERATED BY A GAS MIXTURE HAVING A "REDUCING RATIO" GREATER THAN ABOUT 1, FOR EXAMPLE: A PORTION OF COOLED REDUCING GAS FROM THE REACTION ZONE; OR A PORTION OF THE OFF-GAS FROM AN INTEGRATED PROCESS SUCH AS AN ORE REDUCTION ZONE; OR A MIXTURE OF BOTH OF THESE GASES. IN ADDITION TO THE METALLURGICAL APPLICATIONS, THE GAS MIXTURES, AS PRODUCED BY THE PROCESS OF THIS INVENTION, MAY BE USED DIRECTLY AS A FUEL GAS OR AS FEEDSTICK IN PROCESSES FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF METHANOL, HYDROCARBONS, OR OXYGENATED ORGANIC CHEMICALS.