973. ------. [HEMMINGER, C. E.] (Standard Catalytic Co.). Gasification of Oil Residues. United States Patent 2,346,754, Apr. 18, 1944; appl. filed Dec. 9, 1939, Serial No. 308,368; 5 claims (Cl. 48-215). Chem. Abs., vol. 38, 1944, p. 6525.

Patent Abstracts

973. ------. [HEMMINGER, C. E.] (Standard Catalytic Co.). Gasification of Oil Residues. United States Patent 2,346,754, Apr. 18, 1944; appl. filed Dec. 9, 1939, Serial No. 308,368; 5 claims (Cl. 48-215). Chem. Abs., vol. 38, 1944, p. 6525.

Crude-oil residues, pitches, cracked tars, and the like are used as raw materials to produce gases rich in free H₂. This is accomplished in a specially designed cracking unit where the hydrocarbon residue is first heated to above 750º F. to effect decomposition. The cracked gases are discharged into a reaction chamber lined with refractory material and capable of withstanding temperatures of 2,000º-3,000º F. Into this chamber is introduced the carbonaceous material in a rapidly swirling motion, together with steam and an O₂-containing gas. The volume of O₂ is carefully adjusted so as to burn a portion of the carbonaceous material and thus produce a high reaction temperature, and is approximately 0.35 lb. per 1 lb. of carbonaceous material, whereas the amount of introduced steam is 0.3-3.0 lb. of the same. The latter amount is over that required in addition to O₂ supplied to the system to oxidize the C content of residue to CO₂ and thus release its H₂ content along with that of the steam as free H₂. It is desirable to conduct the gases through several additional reactors where the high temperature is maintained. From the last reactor the gas is conducted into C collectors where the residual C is drawn off for use as such or recycled to the reactor. It may be employed with suspending gases, such as N₂, H₂ or CH₄, C₂H₆ and C₃H₈, or their mixtures. The temperature of reaction may be reduced by adding finely subdivided catalysts, such as metallic Fe, Ni, and Co, or oxides of these metals together with oxides of Groups II and III of the Periodic table, for example, CaO, MgO, or Al₂O₃. The Gas thus produced is rich in H₂ and contains only a minor amount of CO₂ and hydrocarbons and a large % of CO. A characteristic gas obtained by this method has the following composition: H₂, 33.5%; CO, 55% CO₂, 6%; CH₄, 4%; and N₂, 1.5%. Such gas is useful for catalytic production of hydrocarbons by the so-called Fischer synthesis.