Texaco Inc.

Roger M Dille

Albert Brent

Allen M Robin

Leigh R Middleton

Harold A Rhodes

George N Richter

Lawrence E Estabrook

Leonidas Skarlos

David F Gripshover

Don L Shull

Jean-Georges P Rohner

Merle H Van Stavern

Susan B Wallon

Trim control of a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is effected by two improved control schemes which are automatically operated separately or in sequence. The control systems include sensors sensing the flow rate of the feedstreams and analyzers which provide signals corresponding to the wt. % carbon in the effluent gas quench cooling and scrubbing water for use in controlling the particulate carbon in the effluent gas stream, and/or signals corresponding to the mole fraction of CH.sub.4 (dry basis) in the cooled and cleaned effluent gas stream for use in controlling the temperature in the reaction zone. The signals from the sensors and analyzers are provided to the system control unit which computes values that represent the relative difference between the actual and desired carbon-make and/or the actual temperature in the reaction zone, and the relative difference between the actual and desired temperature in the reaction zone. The actual temperature is determined as a function of the methane concentration. These values are automatically compared with set point values and when adjustments are necessary, signals from the system control unit are provided to a flow rate regulating means which adjusts the flow rate of the free-oxygen containing gas by a small determined amount for control of the particulate carbon and/or to a flow rate regulating means which adjusts the flow rate of the temperature moderator by a small determined amount for control of the temperature in the reaction zone.

Trim control system for partial oxidation gas generator

Trim control of a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is effected by two improved control schemes which are automatically operated separately or in sequence. The control systems include sensors sensing the flow rate of the feedstreams and analyzers which provide signals corresponding to the wt. % carbon in the effluent gas quench cooling and scrubbing water for use in controlling the particulate carbon in the effluent gas stream, and/or signals corresponding to the mole fractions of CO.sub.2, CH.sub.4, CO and H.sub.2 (dry basis) in the cooled and cleaned effluent gas stream for use in controlling the temperature in the reaction zone. The signals from the sensors and analyzers are provided to the system control unit which computes values that represent the relative difference between the actual and desired carbon-make and/or the actual temperature in the reaction zone, and the relative difference between the actual and desired temperature in the reaction zone. The actual temperature is determined as a function of the methane equilibrium constant. These values are automatically compared with set point values and when adjustments are necessary, signals from the system control unit are provided to a flow rate regulating means which adjusts the flow rate of the free-oxygen containing gas by a small determined amount for control of the particulate carbon and/or to a flow rate regulating means which adjusts the flow rate of the temperature moderator by a small determined amount for control of the temperature in the reaction zone.

A continuous process for preventing the build-up of metals from the hydrocarbonaceous fuel feed in a partial oxidation system in which about 80-100 wt. % of the carbon-soot produced is recycled to the gas generator. By the subject process a significantly large portion of the metals and metal compounds i.e. ash in the soot-water feed stream to the decanter become concentrated in the grey water that separates out in the decanter in the carbon recovery section. The concentration of ash suspended in the grey water may be then easily reduced in a solids-liquid separator with or without the addition of a flocculant and prior to recycling a portion of the grey water to the gas quench tank and/or gas scrubber. Further, the ash suspended in the carbon-soot-liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel stream from the bottom of the liquid organic extractant still may be optionally reduced in another solids-liquid separator prior to recycling a portion of said stream to the gas generator as part of the hydrocarbonaceous reactant fuel feed.

Partial oxidation process

This is a partial oxidation process in which heavy hydrocarbonaceous fractions from a petroleum refinery and light liquid paraffinic hydrocarbon extractants are used in the production of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas i.e. gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 and CO. In the process, substantially all of the particulate carbon and soot that are simultaneously produced are recovered and recycled to the reaction zone. A dispersion of carbon-soot-light paraffinic hydrocarbon extractant from the decanting zone is combined with a heavy refinery fraction in admixture with a liquid aromatic-rich hydrocarbon to produce a pumpable single liquid phase mixture which is introduced into a fractionation zone where the following streams are separated from each other: (a) a stream of light paraffinic hydrocarbon extractant which is recycled to the decanting zone, (b) a stream comprising at least a portion of the aromatic-rich hydrocarbon which is recycled for mixing with the heavy refinery fraction, and (c) a stream of pumpable dispersion of carbon-soot heavy refinery fraction and any remaining aromatic-rich hydrocarbon which may be used as fuel in the system or exported. Troublesome asphaltene precipitation that causes operational problems and increased viscosity is avoided by the subject process. Comparatively low cost heavy refinery fractions which ordinarily are difficult to handle may be now used along with light liquid paraffinic hydrocarbon extractants.

Partial oxidation of heavy refinery fractions

A monitor receives a slurry of coal and water and provides an output signal corresponding to the coal content of the slurry. The monitor includes sensing apparatus which senses the hydrogen content of the water in the slurry and provides a corresponding signal. A circuit supplies a signal corresponding to the hydrogen content of water. An output network provides the output signal corresponding to the coal content of the slurry in accordance with the signals from the sensing apparatus and the circuit.

Coal slurry monitor means and method

Trim control process for partial oxidation gas generator

A sensitive arrangement for determining presence of oil, at low parts per million, in water. It employs infrared absorbtion measurement, and first mixes the water with an oil solvent that may be separated from the water after taking any oil into solution. Also, the solvent is one which does not have any significant infrared absorbency at a predetermined wave length, which does have absorbency by hydrocarbons. After separation of the oil solvent, it is continuously passed through an absorption cell in an infrared spectrometer, to monitor the presence of oil in the water.

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Port Arthur, TX, United States of America

Roger M Dille