GB516555A - Improvements in or relating to the production of hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Abstract

516,555. Gasifying solid fuel. UNDERWOOD, A. J: V. July 21, 1938, No. 21664. [Classes 55 (i) and 55 (ii)] In the synthesis of hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen obtained by gasifying carbonaceous material under pressure with steam wherein the synthesis takes place in a water-cooled reaction chamber with evolution of heat, low pressure steam produced by heating of the cooling water or contained in the products of reaction is used for the production of high pressure steam for use in the gasification step. The steam generated in a cooling coil 5 surrounding the reaction chamber 4 to which the reacting gases are supplied from a retort 3 wherein fuel is gasified with H.P. steam and oxygen, is supplied by pipe 16 to the intake of an injection thermocompressor 15 and from thence as H.P. steam is fed to the steam and oxygen inlet pipe 2 of the retort 3. In addition, or alternatively, the steam produced by passing the reaction products 7 through a heat exchanger, such as a boiler 9, is similarly boosted and used in the gasification step by passage to a similar compressor 12. The steam pressure in the reaction products may be raised prior to reaching the boiler 9. The H.P. steam from 12 may operate the compressor 15. In an example, L.P. steam of 7 atmospheres from the coil 5 is raised to 10 atmospheres by the compressor 15.