Patent GB-366268-A (GB)
Title: Process for the transformation of coke oven gas or town gas into ammonia and methyl alcohol
IPC: C01C1/04
Filed: 1931-01-21
Abstract: <PICT:0366268/III/1> Coke oven gas, town gas and the like is converted into methyl alcohol and ammonia by using it to reduce iron oxide which has been formed in the production of hydrogen from steam, converting the residual gas and blow-off gas into carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen by passing it through coke at 1200 DEG  C., desulphurizing the hydrogen and the mixture containing carbon monoxide by means of copper oxide, converting the carbon monoxide-containing gas, suitably proportioned, into methyl alcohol, purifying the residual gas, adding the necessary hydrogen, and synthesizing ammonia from the mixture.  Hydrogen is produced from iron and steam in an apparatus a, the iron oxide is reduced by the coke oven gas, and the residual gas and blow-off gas are passed to a furnace f to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and nitrogen, preferably by the process described in Specification 360,750.  In the hydrogen process it is preferred to maintain a pressure during the oxidation stage, which is twice that during the reduction stage.  The hydrogen from an apparatus a is freed from sulphur by passing through a tube b containing copper oxide, vessels c containing iron oxide, and towers d containing caustic alkali solution; and the gases from the furnace f are similarly purified in g, h, i, the hydrogen and the carbon monoxide mixture being stored in gasometers e, j respectively.  The gas in the gasometer j is suitably proportioned by addition of hydrogen or carbon monoxide (obtained as described below) compressed by a compresser k to 200-350 kilos, purified, and passed through a methyl alcohol synthesis tube l containing for instance reduced copper oxide activated by rare earths.  The temperature may be maintained at 300 DEG  C. by an electric resistance the current for which is controlled by a self-induction coil or induction regulator.  The methyl alcohol is condensed in a cooler m and collects in a tank n.  The exit gas freed from methyl alcohol is recirculated and is ultimately drawn off by a valve p and passed through copper-ammonia solution and then caustic lye in towers q, r respectively.  Carbon monoxide is absorbed in the tower q and is recovered by heating the absorbent to 80 DEG  C. under vacuum.  The carbon monoxide is stored in the gasometer s.  This gas may be used for the production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide by catalysis with steam, and the carbon dioxide may be separated by solution in water under pressure and led to the furnace f.  Hydrogen is admitted by a pipe u, and the nitrogen-hydrogen mixture after purification is led to an ammonia synthesis apparatus, additional nitrogen being supplied from any source.  If methane accumulates in the ammonia circuit, a portion of the gas is withdrawn and led to the furnace f.ALSO:Coke-oven gas, town gas, and the like is converted into methyl alcohol and ammonia by using it to reduce iron oxide which has been formed in the production of hydrogen from steam, converting the residual gas and blow-off gas into carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen by passing it through coke at 1200 DEG  C., desulphurizing the hydrogen and the mixture containing carbon monoxide by means of copper oxide, converting the carbon monoxide-containing gas, suitably proportioned, into methyl alcohol, purifying the residual gas, adding the necessary hydrogen, and synthesizing ammonia from the mixture.  Hydrogen is produced from iron and steam in an apparatus a, the iron  <PICT:0366268/IV/1> oxide is reduced by the coke-oven gas, and the residual gas and blow-off gas are passed to a furnace f to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen, preferably by the process described in Specification 360,750, [Group III].  In the hydrogen process it is preferred to maintain a pressure during the oxidation stage which is twice that during the reduction stage. The hydrogen from the apparatus a is freed from sulphur by passing through a tube b containing copper oxide, vessels c containing iron oxide, and towers d containing caustic alkali solution; and the gases from the furnace f are similarly purified in g, h, i, the hydrogen and the carbon monoxide mixture being stored in gasometers e, j respectively.  The gas in the gasometer j is suitably proportioned by addition of hydrogen or carbon monoxide (obtained as described below) compressed by a compresser k to 200-350 kilos, purified, and passed through a methyl alcohol synthesis tube l containing for instance reduced copper oxide activated by rare earths.  The temperature may be maintained at 300 DEG  C. by an electric resistance the current for which is controlled by a self-induction coil or induction regulator. The methyl alcohol is condensed in a cooler m and collects in a tank n.  The exit gas freed from methyl alcohol is recirculated and is ultimately drawn off by a valve p and passed through copper-ammonia solution and then caustic lye in towers q, r respectively.  Carbon monoxide is absorbed in the tower q and is recovered by heating the absorbent to 80 DEG  C. under vacuum.  The carbon monoxide is stored in the gasometer s.  This gas may be used for the production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide by catalysis with steam, and the carbon dioxide may be separated by solution in water under pressure and fed to the furnace f. Hydrogen is admitted by a pipe u, and the nitrogen-hydrogen mixture after purification is led to an ammonia synthesis apparatus, additional nitrogen being supplied from any source. If methane accumulates in the ammonia circuit, a portion of the gas is withdrawn and led to the furnace f.