Texaco Inc.

Everett M Barber

James R Muenger

David L Alexander

Warren G Schlinger

A chemical plant, wherein gaseous reactants are converted in an exothermic chemical reaction to a reaction product, is combined with a semi-closed Brayton-cycle power plant to utilize the heat of reaction to generate power. Specifically, in one embodiment, an ammonia synthesis plant, wherein gaseous nitrogen and hydrogen are catalytically converted to ammonia, is combined with a semi-closed Brayton-cycle power plant to utilize the heat of reaction of the ammonia synthesis reaction to generate power.

Combination chemical plant and Brayton-cycle power plant

This invention relates to a process for the efficient production of power by the oxidation of carbonaceous or hydrocarbon fuels with minimal pollution of the atmosphere. In one of its more specific aspects, this object is accomplished by partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon or other carbon-containing fuels to produce a fuel gas, followed by partial oxidation of this fuel gas and finally complete combustion of the gaseous products of the second partial oxidation with the generation of power in stages following each of the oxidation steps such that the stack gas discharged to the atmosphere is low in oxides of nitrogen and is substantially free from sulfur compounds. The process is particularly suitable for use with sulfur-containing petroleum residua, shale oils and the like.

Process for the generation of power from carbonaceous fuels with minimal

Power is developed by an expansion turbine in which the working fluid is a gaseous mixture comprising all of the hot raw gas stream leaving an unpacked partial oxidation gas generator, after removing if present a portion of the entrained solids, in admixture with a temperature moderating stream. A molal increase is associated with the partial oxidation process. Power is obtained from this molal increase in addition to the power obtained from the elevated pressure and sensible heat in the hot raw partial oxidation product gas. The temperature moderating stream may comprise a recycle portion of the turbine exhaust gas stream after being cooled, cleaned, optionally water-gas shifted or purified, or both, and recompressed. Alternatively, the recycle gas stream may be mixed with water, steam, or both. In one embodiment the temperature moderating stream comprises liquid water or condensate produced in the process. Auxiliary gas compressors for recompressing said recycle gas, and optionally for compressing a free-oxygen containing gas for use in the gas generation zone may be driven by said expansion turbine. Similarly, an electric generator may be coupled to the turbine shaft.

Partial oxidation process with production of power

Hydrogen is produced by the combustion of carbon with air to produce a combustion gas effluent containing carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The carbon dioxide is separated and reacted with carbon to produce carbon monoxide. The resulting produced carbon monoxide is then reacted with steam to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen and the resulting produced hydrogen separated. The carbon utilized for the production of hydrogen may be obtained by the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons to yield carbon and gaseous hydrogen or the carbon utilized in this process may be obtained from a solid carbonaceous fuel, such as coal or coke or the like. A reactor useful for the thermal decomposition of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel to produce gaseous hydrogen and carbon and particularly adaptable for use in the process in accordance with this invention comprises a reactor provided with a high temperature thermal decomposition zone and means therein for effecting the separation between any solid ash constituents of the fuel, the resulting produced carbon and the resulting produced gaseous hydrogen.

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Wappingers Falls, NY, United States of America

Everett M Barber