Patent ID: 7238215

Claim:
A process for the production of at least one synthesis gas for a synthesis unit consuming a mixture comprising of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, wherein said process comprising the steps of: i) sending oxygen consisting of at least about 99 mol. % concentration and at least one hydrocarbon feedstock selected from the group consisting of: natural gas, coal, and petroleum residues to a first reactor which is a partial oxidation unit to produce a first mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, ii) sending steam, and at least one feedstock comprising natural gas, and a second feedstock mixture comprising light hydrocarbons to a second reactor which is a steam methane reformer to produce at least one second mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide; iii) sending part of the first mixture to form a synthesis gas that will be sent to the synthesis unit; iv) sending at least part of the at least one second mixture to a shift converter to react at least part of the carbon monoxide with steam to produce at least one third mixture comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen; v) deriving at least one gas containing of at least about 40 mol. % carbon dioxide from the at least one third mixture; and vi) sending at least part of the gas containing at least about 40 mol. % carbon dioxide to an inlet of the first reactor.