METHOD FOR OPERATING A REACTOR FOR THERMAL GASIFICATION OF HYDROCARBONS

• Main Author: POCKRANDT, GUENTER
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.05.1978
• Subjects: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOIDCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; INORGANIC CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY; NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS; TRANSPORTING

A hydrocarbon gasification reaction under normal operation reacts hydrocarbons with oxygen and water vapor under elevated pressures and temperatures to produce a product gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The reactor is provided with a burner through which the hydrocarbons to be gasified are sprayed under pressure, preferably through a burner lance. For interrupting normal reactions and holding the reactor at a desired temperature, the hydrocarbons are fed at a lower rate than during normal operation together with water vapor under a higher pressure than the hydrocarbons. This mixture is fed through the reactor burner which is used for normal operation of the reactor thereby atomizing the hydrocarbons/water vapor mixture. During interrupted operation, air is supplied to the reactor, preferably into the burner chamber thereof.