H2)CO BY PARTIAL OXIDATION

Prodn. of gaseous mixts. of H2 + CO by partial oxidn. of a feed comprising a heavy liq. hydrocarbon fuel and/or petroleum coke, each contg. at least 0.5 wt.% S, and giving ash contg. at least 5% V, at least 2% Ni, and Si involves (1) mixing the feed with additive A contg. Fe when the Si content of the ash is less than 350 ppm, or B contg. Fe and Ca when the Si content of the ash is at least 400 ppm, with ratio by wt. of A or B:ash in the reaction zone in (2) being 1-10:1, and using w.r.t. 1 pt. of V, at least 10 pts. of Fe with A, or of Fe+Ca with B, (2) reacting the mixt. from (1), at 1200-1650 deg.C and 5-250 atoms., in free-flow refractory -lined partial oxidn. zone with a gas contg. free O2, in presence of a temp. moderator and in a reducing atmos., to produce a hot raw effluent gas stream comprising H2 + CO and entrained molten slag, and (3) sepg. the non-gaseous material from the gas stream. In stage (2), when A is used, the additive combines with at least part of the Ni and S in the feed to produce a liq. phase washing agent which collects and transports at least part of the oxide laths and spinels contg. V and other ash components and refractory out of the reaction zone; when B is used, separate portions of the additive (I) act as does A, and (II) combine with part of the Ni, Ca and Si to generate a liq. oxide-silicate phase which fluxes the remaining portion of the oxide laths and spinels contg. V and other ash components.