2756. ------. [REES, H. V.] (Texaco Development Corp.). Synthesis Gas. United States Patent 2,552,737, May 15, 1951; appl. filed May 25, 1945, Serial No. 595,710; 6 claims (Cl. 48-214). Chem. Abs., vol. 45, 1951, p. 6824.

Mixture of CO and H₂ for synthesis purposes is made from a hydrocarbon feed gas by mixing a portion of the hydrocarbon gas with sufficient O₂ or O₂-containing gas for substantially complete combustion to CO₂ and H₂O; this combustion takes place at the internal surface of the porous refractory tubes and heats them to incandescence. The balance of the hydrocarbon gas is passed through the tubes, in intimate mixture with the products of combustion, so that the hydrocarbons are caused to react with the combustion products to give a CO and H₂ mixture. Steam may be added if desired. This process offers a simple and effective means for converting hydrocarbons into synthesis gas at temperatures of 3,000°-3,600° F. and higher. When a Fe catalyst is used in the synthesis process, the excess CO₂ may be separated and returned to the refractory tube; other tail gases may also be recycled through the process.