GB360618A - Improvements in and apparatus for the manufacture and production of mixtures of nitrogen and hydrogen from bituminous fuels - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0360618/III/1> A mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen in proportions suitable for the synthesis of ammonia is obtained by a process the first step of which is subjecting bituminous fuel successively to low-temperature carbonization and to gasification, by blowing steam and air through the fuel in superposed layers with sufficient force to keep it in vigorous motion, and using the hot gases thus obtained to effect the low-temperature carbonization. The mixture of gases is then passed through a condenser, and the residual gases are subjected to incomplete combustion with air or oxygen to convert the hydrocarbons into carbon monoxide. The latter is then treated with steam in the presence of catalysts as described in Specification 27955/12, [Class 1 (i), Chemical processes &c.], for conversion into carbon dioxide which is removed from the gases. At least one of the steps is effected by means of a gas containing nitrogen so as to obtain the required proportion of this gas. Suitable apparatus comprises a shaft A having grates R<1> . . R<5> supplied with coal from a bunker F, air enriched with oxygen and steam being supplied through a conduit E. The gas mixture is freed from dust in the upper part S of the shaft and is passed through a condenser B. The hydrocarbons are converted into carbon monoxide in a combustion chamber D supplied with a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen through an inlet P, and the hot gases are passed through a heat exchanger C to preheat the gases entering the combustion chamber. The cooled mixed gases from the outlet O are then freed from carbon monoxide, leaving the mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. Specification 343,435, [Group XII], also is referred to.