Patent GB-994208-A (GB)
Title: Production of hydrogen-containing gas
IPC: C10J3/57
Filed: 1963-06-10
Abstract: A hydrogen-containing gas is produced by reacting a solid carbonaceous material and steam in a molten reaction medium comprising an alkali metal compound.  Carbonaceous materials mentioned are coal (various grades), lignite, coke (from coal or petroleum), peat graphite, charcoal, wood, sawdust, non-wood, material (e.g. bagasse, cotton stalks), sugar and cellulose waste, and may be in lump, granular or pulverized form.  The alkali metal compound may be one or more of the alkali metal carbonates and hydroxides, but any alkali metal compound convertible under the reaction conditions to an equilibrium mixture of the carbonate and hydroxide, e.g. sulphates, chlorides, nitrates and oxides may be used.  Alkaline earth metal compounds may be included in the melt. The process may be worked continuously, the molten compound being circulated between the reaction zone and a heating zone, and the carbonaceous material and the steam supplied separately or together to one or more points in the reaction zone, e.g. pulverized material may be entrained in a stream of steam, e.g. by delivering a slurry of the material in water to the zone. The melt may be heated in the heating zone by burning coal in preheated air in the melt, or the reaction zone may be heated, e.g. electrically.  Alternatively, the alkali metal compound may be mixed with the carbonaceous material before melting, and eight specific examples of this method of operation are described.  The temperature of the reaction should be 800 DEG  to 1,800 DEG  F., preferably 1,000 DEG  to 1,700 DEG  F., and pressures of 15 to 1,000 p.s.i.a., preferably 200 to 850 p.s.i.a., are mentioned. A steam/carbon mol. ratio of 1 to 5 and a weight ratio ranging from 2 to 25 for the molten salt to carbonaceous material are mentioned.  An ash-rich stream is continuously or intermittently discharged, and may be treated with water to recover alkali metal.ALSO:A hydrogen-containing gas is produced by reacting a solid carbonaceous material and steam in a molten reaction medium comprising an alkali metal compound. Carbonaceous materials mentioned are coal (various grades), lignite, coke (from coal or petroleum), peat, graphite, charcoal, wood, sawdust, non-woody material (e.g. bagasse, cotton stalks), sugar and cellulose waste, and may be in lump, granular or pulverized form. The alkali metal compound may be one or more of the alkali metal carbonates and hydroxides, but any alkali metal compound convertible under the reaction conditions to an equilibrium mixture of the carbonate and hydroxide, e.g. sulphates, chlorides, nitrates and oxides may be used.  Alkaline earth metal compounds may be include in the melt. The process may be worked continuously, the molten compound being circulated between the reaction zone and a heating zone, and the carbonaceous material and the steam supplied separately or together to one or more points in the reaction zone, e.g. pulverized material may be entrained in a stream of steam, e.g. by delivering a slurry of the material in water to the zone. The melt may be heated in the heating zone by burning coal in preheated air in the melt, or the reaction zone may be heated, e.g. electrically.  Alternatively, the alkali metal compound may be mixed with the carbonaceous material before melting, and eight specific examples of this method of operation are described.  The temperature of the reaction should be 800 DEG  to 1800 DEG  F., preferably 1000 DEG  to 1700 DEG  F., and pressures of 15 to 1000 p.s.i.a., preferably 200 to 850 p.s.i.a., are mentioned.  A steam/carbon mole ratio of 1 to 5 and a weight ratio ranging from 2 to 25 for the molten salt to carbonaceous material are mentioned.  An ash-rich stream is continuously or intermittently discharged, and may be treated with water to recover alkali metal.