British Gas Plc

Henry J Stroud

Henry L Conway

Cyril Timmins

John A Hargis

Kenneth R Tart

A process, having high thermal efficiency, is provided for the production of substitute natural gas from fossil fuels such as crude oil, by non-catalytic hydrogenation. High thermal efficiency is obtained by using cryogenic systems for separating hydrogen from (a) the product of the hydrogenation reaction and (b) from products produced by partial oxidation in the production of hydrogen required for the hydrogenation reactions. Other products from the partial oxidation reaction may be used either as fuel or as feedstocks for catalytic steam reforming to produce SNG.

Process for making substitute natural gas

Synthesis gases containing carbon monoxide, eg above 40% volume, and hydrogen are methanated to produce substitute natural gas, after CO.sub.2 removal, wherein the synthesis gas is simultaneously saturated with water, further heated and divided into first and second feed gas streams. The first feed gas stream is catalytically methanated at a temperature of from 250 to 550.degree. C, and the reaction product mixed with said second feed gas stream. The mixture is methanated over a second catalyst at a temperature of from 250 to 550.degree. C and the product is divided into a second product gas stream and a recycle gas stream and the recycle gas stream is admixed with the first feed gas stream, prior to the first catalytic methanation. The second product gas stream is subjected to a carbon dioxide removal process to produce SNG.

Production of substitute natural gas

Apparatus and a process are provided whereby constituents of liquid mixtures eg non-distillate oils are vaporized under non-decomposing conditions in the presence of gases. Liquid components form a stream comprising the gas, vaporized and liquid constituents of the mixture are removed from the stream. Process may be employed to provide a vaporized feedstock for the non-catalytic thermal hydrogenation of hydrocarbon-based materials in the production of methane containing gases wherein the gas used for vaporization is the same as that used for the subsequent hydrogenation steps.

Method and apparatus for vaporizing hydrocarbon based liquids

Combustible gases containing both methane and hydrogen, for example gases obtained by the non- catalytic hydrogenation of oil or coal are treated to increase their calorific value by removal of elementary hydrogen in the catalytic hydrogenation of an unsaturated compound such as benzene. The benzene is regenerated by dehydrogenation, usually catalytic dehydrogenation, and recycled for further use. The hydrogen produced on dehydrogenation may be employed for hydrodesulphurisation or as hydrogenating gas in a non- catalytic hydrogenation stage.

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Solihull, United Kingdom

Henry J Stroud