Oxygen in Production of Hydrogen or Synthesis Gas

Abstract

Processes for the large-scale production of hydrogen and synthesis gas are basically identical. The ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas may vary from 1 to 2. A plant producing 25,000 barrels of primary liquid fuel per day requires from 700,000,000 to 800,000,000 cubic feet of synthesis gas per day. Low-cost synthesis gas requires the use of lower priced generator fuels, which can best be gasified in continuous internally heated processes using oxygen. Part, if not all, of the energy requirements for oxygen production may be obtained from the heat evolved in the synthesis reactors. The principal processes include: Winkler, gasifying fines in a fixed fluidized bed; Koppers, gasifying pulverized coal in suspension; Lurgi, gasifying fines in a fixed bed under pressure; Thyssen-Galocsy and Leuna, gasifying lump fuel and disposing of the ash as a molten slag. Other processes are briefly discussed in relation to the foregoing. It is concluded that American requirements may best be satisfied by gasification processes using pulverized fuel in suspension. These will permit the use of higher rank caking or noncaking coals, as well as the lower rank subbituminous coals or lignite.