Patent ID: 8052946
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: C10G,F23G,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A system, for converting heavy hydrocarbon material to lighter hydrocarbon material, comprising: pyrolytic plasma reactor apparatus including carbonaceous material and one or more nozzles with plasma torches; an inlet for torch gas to the plasma torches at locations to generate plasma gas directed into a first portion of the carbonaceous material; an inlet for process material comprising hydrocarbon material to the plasma gas produced in the torches; an inlet for fluid comprising steam to the plasma gas to form a mixture with the process material; the first portion of carbonaceous material, the nozzles including the plasma gas, and the inlets for the process material and the steam fluid being arranged for reaction of the hydrocarbon process material with the carbonaceous material and steam fluid to form initial products including lighter weight hydrocarbon material, carbon, carbon monoxide and hydrogen; one or more additional nozzles located to inject additional material into a second portion of the carbonaceous material at a location to which the initial products flow; an inlet for additional process material comprising hydrocarbon material and an inlet for additional fluid comprising steam to the additional nozzles and into the second portion of carbonaceous material; the second portion of the carbonaceous material and the additional nozzles including the inlets for additional process material and steam fluid being arranged for reactions including at least some carbon monoxide of the initial products reacting with steam to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen and at least some of the hydrogen so produced reacting with the additional process material to form additional lighter weight hydrocarbon material; and an exit port from the reactor apparatus for lighter weight hydrocarbon material and gases.