United States Patent: 3850839
Herein, we submit even further evidence that Coal can be efficiently gasified with Steam, in order to produce an hydrogenated synthesis gas ideally suited for efficient and thorough catalytic condensation, via one of several long-known processes, into liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
Moreover, the technology disclosed herein arose from the US Government-sponsored "COED" coal conversion process, which was developed, as we've documented in a number of previous reports, at a Princeton, New Jersey, pilot plant operated under government contract by the FMC company.
As we explain more fully following excerpts from:
"United States Patent 3,850,839 - Manufacture of Synthesis Gas
Date: November, 1974
Inventors: Leonard Seglin, NY, and Ralph Eddinger, NJ
Assignee: Cogas Development Company, Princeton, NJ
Abstract: Synthesis gas is prepared by contacting coal derived char particles with steam in a fluid-bed gasifier wherein heat for the endothermic reaction is supplied by passing through the gasifier, a stream of inert pellets heated by contact with hot combustion gases produced by burning the fines collected from the external cyclone of the gasifier.
Claims: In the process of making synthesis gas by the gasification of a carbonaceous solid with steam in a fluidized bed, the improvement of providing heat to the process comprising burning fines separated from the synthesis gas stream withdrawn from above the fluidized bed, contacting the combustion gases from the combusted fines with preformed inert refractory pebbles of substantially spherical shape for sufficient time to heat the pebbles, introducing the heated pebbles into the gasification zone, the pebbles being of such size and specific gravity that they are not fluidized with the carbon in the bed and sink by gravity to the bottom of the gasifier, and circulating the pebbles out of the bottom of the gasifier, after they have given up heat to the reaction taking place in the gasifier, to be reheated.
Field: This invention relates to the production of synthesis gas. It is particularly concerned with providing heat requirements in a fluid-bed gasification system of producing synthesis gas.
Prior Art: The gasification of carbonaceous solids with steam to produce a synthesis gas containing high concentrations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide has been practiced for many years. In fact, it is one of the classic processes of the fuel industry.
Summary: It has now been discovered that the heat requirements for the production of synthesis gas by fluid-bed gasification of carbonaceous solids without significant formation of fines can be realized by passing through the gasifier a stream of inert pellets heated by contact with hot combustion gases produced by burning fines collected from the external cyclone of the gasifier."
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This is, in essence, another process, similar to some we've previously documented for you, wherein an hydrogenated synthesis gas, suitable for catalysis into liquid hydrocarbons, can be generated from reactions between hot Coal and Steam; and, all of the heat energy needed to drive the production of the synthesis gas can be derived from the Coal used in the Steam gasification process.
It is a another "auto-thermal", or "self-powered" Coal conversion technology, which, again, produces an ideal hydrocarbon synthesis gas.
We understand that no one has likely heard of the company "Cogas Development". However, other inter net sources, which we won't herein directly cite, reveal it to be a partnership composed of, among others: Consolidated Gas Supply Corporation, FMC Corporation and Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of Tenneco, Inc.
