GB282573A - Improvements in the production of water gas and hydrogen - Google Patents

Abstract

282,573. Synthetic Ammonia & Nitrates, Ltd., and Humphrey, H. A. Feb. 22, 1927. Coking processes.-Coal is dried at a temperature of 200 to 300‹ C. by hot combustion gases to which air is added to effect partial oxidation so as to control the coking properties of the material, and is then subjected to low temperature carbonization at net exceeding 600‹ C. to give a semi-coke, in the form of lumps which are suitable for use in a water gas generator. Tho water gas may be treated with steam at high temperatures to convert the methane into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The semi-coke may, however, be heated to a higher temperature before use for the generation of water gas free from methane. The gas mixture, is then passed over a catalyst containing finely divided iron or metals at a temperature of 200-300‹ C. to generate higher paraffin hydrocarbons. The residue from this treatment or the origrnal gas mixture is compressed and passed, after separation of the paraffins and methane if present, over a catalyst such as basic zinc chromate for the production of methanol or may be treated with steam in the presence of an iron oxide catalyst at about 500‹ C. converting the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide which is then removed, leaving hydrogen which is mixed with the proportion of nitrogen required for the synthesis of ammonia. Specification 292,060 is referred to.