Synthesis gas from gaseous co.sub.2 -solid carbonaceous fuel feeds

Abstract

This is an improved continuous partial oxidation process for producing synthesis gas or fuel gas from gaseous CO.sub.2 -solid carbonaceous fuel feeds. A solid carbonaceous fuel such as finely ground coal from a pressurized lock hopper is passed directly into a high pressure high velocity CO.sub.2 -rich gas stream which carries the particles of coal into a free-flow noncatalytic gas generator where by the partial oxidation reaction with a free-oxygen containing gas, preferably in the absence of supplemental H.sub.2 O other than that normally present in the reactants, gaseous mixtures principally comprising H.sub.2, CO, CO.sub.2, and H.sub.2 O are produced. A CO.sub.2 -rich gas stream is recovered downstream in the process and recycled to the pressurized feed system. The CO.sub.2 -rich stream serves as a carrier for the carbonaceous fuel and as a reactant in the reaction zone.