Patent GB-586027-A (GB)
Title: Improved method of carrying out cracking, pyrolysis, and partial oxidation reactions
IPC: C07C2/78
Filed: 1944-04-06
Abstract: Cracking, pyrolysis, and partial oxidation reactions of organic substances are effected by partial combustion of organic substances, in the presence of insufficient oxygen for complete combustion, in a submerged-combustion burner submerged in an inorganic liquid which is inert under the conditions.  The said liquid may be water, one or more molten salts or molten metal. Hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane or propane may be converted to acetylene, ethylene or carbon black.  A fuel such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide-containing gas may be added to the reaction mixture.  The reaction conditions may be controlled by varying the proportions in the mixture by preheating or adding an inert gas. The method is also applicable to the production of hydrogen, carbon monoxide mixtures.  A catalyst, as vapour or powdered solid, may be supplied to the combustion zone or solid catalyst located partly or wholly in said zone.  Olefins, obtained for example by pyrolysis of paraffins, may be oxidised to oxides, hydrocarbons or alcohols to aldehydes, acids or anhydrides. Petroleum oils or products of their distillation, cracking or reforming, coal tar products, and carbonaceous materials, such as coal in finely divided form, may also be treated.  Natural gas may be converted by means of air or air enriched with oxygen into gas of lower calorific value for public supply.  The heat generated may be utilized for evaporating the liquid which may be used in a motive power engine or for steam generation.  In examples, methane or ethylene admixed with hydrogen and preheated to 900 or 800 DEG C. is fed with a deficiency of oxygen to a submerged-combustion burner beneath the surface of water.  The gases remain at the high temperature for .005 sec. before quenching by the water, and contain acetylene.ALSO:Cracking, pyrolysis, and partial oxidation reactions of organic substances are effected by partial combustion of organic substances, in the presence of insufficient oxygen for complete combustion, in a submerged-combustion burner submerged in an inorganic liquid which is inert under the conditions.  The said liquid may be water, one or more molten salts or molten metal. Hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane or propane may be converted to acetylene, ethylene or carbon black.  A fuel such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide-containing gas may be added to the reaction mixture.  The reaction conditions may be controlled by varying the proportions in the mixture, by preheating or adding an inert gas. The method is also applicable to the production of hydrogen, carbon monoxide mixtures.  A catalyst, as vapour or powdered solid, may be supplied to the combustion zone or solid catalyst located partly or wholly in said zone.  Olefins, obtained for example by pyrolysis of paraffins, may be oxidized to oxides, hydrocarbons or alcohols to aldehydes, acids or anhydrides. Petroleum oils or products of their distillation, cracking or reforming, coal tar products, and carbonaceous materials, such as coal in finely divided form, may also be treated.  Natural gas may be converted by means of air or air enriched with oxygen into gas of lower calorific value for public supply.  The heat generated may be utilized for evaporating the liquid which may be used in a motive power engine or for steam generation.  In examples, methane or ethylene admixed with hydrogen and preheated to 900 or 800 DEG  C. is fed with a deficiency of oxygen to a submerged-combustion burner beneath the surface of water.  The gases remain at the high temperature for .005 sec. before quenching by the water, and contain acetylene.