Patent ID: 6156234
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: C01B

Abstract:
A process for supplying a gaseous mixture of a light hydrocarbon gas and a substoichiometric amount of an oxygen-containing gas comprising air or oxygen-enriched air in an amount sufficient to produce a synthesis gas having a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio from about 1:1 to about 5:1 to an autothermal reactor at a pressure greater than about 350 psig and a temperature from about 700 to about 900.degree. F., the process consisting essentially of:a) compressing an oxygen-containing gas stream consisting essentially of air or oxygen-enriched air to a pressure of at least about 350 psig in a single stage of compression having a compression ratio of at least 25:1 to produce a compressed oxygen-containing gas stream at a pressure greater than about 350 psig and at a temperature of at least about 1000.degree. F.;b) mixing a light hydrocarbon gas stream at a pressure of at least about 350 psig and at a temperature from about 60 to about 750.degree. F. with a quantity of the compressed oxygen-containing gas stream sufficient for substoichiometric oxidation of the light hydrocarbon gas stream to produce a synthesis gas stream having a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio from about 1.0 to about 4.0 with the light hydrocarbon gas stream to produce a gaseous mixture at a pressure greater than about 350 psig and at a temperature from about 700 to about 900.degree. F.; andc) charging the gaseous mixture to the autothermal reactor.