GB631319A - An improved production of gaseous and liquid fuels from carbonaceous materials - Google Patents

Abstract

A process wherein solid carbonaceous materials are converted into liquid and gaseous fuels and in which the relative production of either fuel is co-ordinated to the seasonal demand for fuel gas and motor fuel, comprises subjecting the carbonaceous material to a treatment comprising a gasification reaction with steam to produce gases containing CO and H2 which are converted by a catalytic treatment into normally liquid hydrocarbons and a tail gas, liquid hydrocarbons are recovered and some of the tail gas is treated, e.g. by washing to remove CO2 to render the gas suitable for use as a fuel gas and a portion determined by the demand for fuel gas is re-cycled to the gasification step where it may be used as a source of heat for the process or be passed through the generator either to crack the residual hydrocarbons in the tail gas to form additional quantities of CO and H2 or to pass through the fuel bed substantially unchanged and to modify the composition of the gases containing CO and H2. The choice and age of the catalyst and the conditions under which the synthesis is carried out affords an additional means of controlling the liquid-gaseous fuel production. The usual synthesis catalysts, e.g. iron or cobalt, may be used at temperatures ranging from 350-800 DEG F. and pressures ranging from 1-50 atmospheres. The liquid synthetic products may be refined by any conventional method.