SUBSTITUTE FUEL GAS GENERATION

1442895 Fuel gas TEXACO DEVELOPMENT CORP 6 Feb 1974 [11 May 1973] 05562/74 Heading C5E A process for the production of fuel gas comprises: (a) partially combusting a carbonaceous material with an oxygen containing gas in a partial combustion zone, at a temperature in the range of 1800-3500‹ F. and a pressure of 30-3000 p.s.i.g., for production of synthesis gas mainly comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (b) contacting, in a hydrocarbon conversion zone, a normally liquid hydrocarbon and steam with hot synthesis gas effluent from the partial oxidation zone, in a weight ratio of hydrocarbon to synthesis gas of from about 0À1/1 to about 1À0/1 and a weight ratio of steam to hydrocarbon of 0À4/1 to 2/1, at about the pressure of the partial combustion step, a hydrocarbon conversion zone exit temperature of from 1800‹ F. to 2000‹ F. and a residence time of from 0.5 to 10 seconds for conversion of a major portion of the hydrocarbon to methane; (c) rapidly cooling, in a cooling zone, hydrocarbon conversion zone effluent gas to a non- reactive temperature below 600‹ F.; and (d) recovering, from the cooling zone, a gas product mainly comprising methane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and having a gross heating value substantially greater than the synthesis gas. The carbonaceous fuel may be petroleum coke, coal, coke oven coke, natural gas, light hydrocarbon distillates, gas oil, heavy fuel oils, residuum or crude oil.