Patent GB-775666-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the reaction of hydrocarbons with oxygen or oxygen containing gases
IPC: F28F9/02
Filed: 1954-02-02
Abstract: <PICT:0775666/IV(b)/1> <PICT:0775666/IV(b)/2> A gas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and acetylene, is produced by passing a mixture of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, the gases in said mixture having been preheated either separately or in admixture to a temperature above 1000 DEG  F., preferably 1100-1400 DEG  F., through a porous plate of refractory material, e.g. aluminium oxide, into a non-catalytic reaction zone maintained at a temperature above 2500 DEG  F.  The gases may be heated in admixture by passing through externally heated stainless steel tubes of about 1/4 -\ba1/2 inch diameter at a gas velocity of more than 100 ft./sec.  The pores of the plate may be 0.1-1 mm. (100-1000 microns) in diameter.  The speed of the gas mixture on the discharge side of the porous plate may be 10-30 ft./sec.  Alundum plates about 1 inch thick and having a permeability of 80-120 cubic ft./min./sq.ft. with a pressure drop of 2 inches of water may be used.  To prevent carbon deposition the walls of the reaction vessel may be cooled, e.g. to a value at least 600 DEG  F. and preferably at least 1000 DEG  F. below the reaction temperature. As shown in Fig. 1, preheated oxygen introduced through pipe 1 and preheated natural gas introduced through pipe 2 mix at nozzle 3 and in chamber 4 and then pass through porous plate 6 into a reaction chamber 7 of ceramic material.  The walls of reaction chamber 7 are cooled by a cooling jacket 13 through which water is circulated.  The reaction product is cooled in chamber 8 by water sprayed from nozzles 9.  Initial ignition is effected through tube 22, e.g. by means of an electric spark.  As shown in Fig. 2, hydrocarbon introduced through pipe 102 is discharged through opening 104 into an oxygen stream introduced through pipe 101. The mixture passes through distributing chamber 105, heating tubes 106 which extend into a ceramic block 114, feed chamber 117, and porous plate 121 into reaction chamber 122. Accumulation of an oxygen-hydrocarbon mixture in static external contact with tubes 106 owing to leakage between tubes 106 and block 114 is prevented by introducing an inert gas, e.g. nitrogen or flue gas into a sealing chamber 119 under slight pressure.ALSO:<PICT:0775666/III/1> <PICT:0775666/III/2> A gas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and possibly acetylene, is produced by passing a mixture of a gaseous hydrocarbon and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, the gases in said mixture having been preheated either separately or in admixture to a temperature above 1000 DEG F., preferably 1100-1400 DEG F., through a porous plate of refractory material, e.g. aluminium oxide into a non-catalytic reaction zone maintained at a temperature above 2500 DEG F.  The gases may be heated in admixture by passing through externally heated stainless steel tubes of about 1/4 -\ba1/2 inch diameter at a gas velocity of more than 100 ft./sec.  The pores of the plate may be 0.1-1 mm. (100-1000 microns) in diameter.  The speed of the gas mixture on the discharge side of the porous plate may be 10-30-ft./sec.  Alundum plates about 1 inch thick and having a permeability of 80-120 cu. ft./min./sq. ft. with a pressure drop of 2 inches of water may be used.  To prevent carbon deposition the walls of the reaction vessel may be cooled, e.g. to a value at least 600 DEG F. and preferably at least 1000 DEG F. below the reaction temperature.  A mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide substantially free from acetylene is produced at a pressure of more than 50 psig and a reaction time of more than 0.1 sec.  As shown in Fig. 1, preheated oxygen introduced through pipe 1 and preheated natural gas introduced through pipe 2 mix at nozzle 3 and in chamber 4 and then pass through porous plate 6 into a reaction chamber 7 of ceramic material.  The walls of reaction chamber 7 are cooled by a cooling jacket 13 through which water is circulated.  The reaction product is cooled in chamber 8 by water sprayed from nozzles 9.  Initial ignition is effected through tube 22, e.g. by means of an electric spark.  As shown in Fig. 2 hydrocarbon introduced through pipe 102 is discharged through opening 104 into an oxygen stream introduced through pipe 101.  The mixture passes through distributing chamber 105, heating tubes 106 which extend into a ceramic block 114, feed chamber 117, and porous plate 121 into reaction chamber 122. Accumulation of an oxygen-hydrocarbon mixture in static external contact with tubes 106 owing to leakage between tubes 106 and block 114 is prevented by introducing an inert gas, e.g. nitrogen or flue gas into a sealing chamber 119 under slight pressure.