GB349060A - Improvements in the manufacture and production of hydrogen or gas mixtures containing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Hydrogen or a mixture thereof with other gases, such as carbon monoxide, is obtained by treating hydrocarbons, or materials containing the same, with air or oxygen in a chamber substantially free from carbonaceous matter, to produce complete or substantially complete oxidation, the resulting gases being then caused to act on heated carbonaceous materials such as coal or coke. Combustion of the hydrocarbons is effected in a chamber separate and distinct from the first chamber and excess of air or oxygen may be used, but less than the quantity theoretically necessary may be employed, the products of combustion being mainly water vapour and carbon dioxide with a little hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The hot gases are conducted, together with additional water vapour, over hot coke &c., a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide being formed, together with nitrogen when air is used in the first stage. Catalytic conversion of the carbon monoxide to dioxide and absorption of the latter may be effected when desired and the mixture used for the synthesis of ammonia. Powdered coke may be employed instead of lump coke, it being injected by means of steam into the combustion gases. Preferably material containing only small amounts of hydrocarbons, such as coke, or brown coal previously treated by low temperature carbonization, is employed in the second stage. The hydrocarbons used in the first stage may include gaseous hydrocarbons, such as natural gas or methane separated from coke-oven gas, waste gases from destructive hydrogenation processes or from ammonia synthesis, liquid fuels and distillation residues. Examples are given of the employment of industrial waste gases and of a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons. Specificatio 29367/10, [Class 55 (i), Coking &c.], is referred to.