Partial oxidation system

Abstract

A partial oxidation control system for continuously producing synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas in which one process fuel is replaced by a different fuel without shutting down or depressurizing the gas generator. Suitable burners for introducing the feedstreams into the gas generator comprise a central conduit means radially spaced from a concentric coaxial outer conduit having a downstream exit nozzle, and providing a coaxial annular passage means therebetween. The central conduit means may be retracted upstream from the burner face a distance of about 0 to 12 and preferably 3 to 10 times the minimum diameter of the central exit orifice. A premix zone is preferably provided comprising one or more, say 2 to 5 coaxial chambers in series where substantial mixing of the reactant streams and optionally volatilization of the slurry medium takes place. A control system is provided for switching the type of reactant fuel stream flowing through either the central conduit means or the annular passage means of the burner and adjusting the flow rates of the reactant stream of free-oxygen containing gas with or without mixture with a temperature moderator and if necessary to introduce supplemental H.sub.2 O into the reaction zone to maintain the temperature and weight ratio H.sub.2 O/fuel in the reaction zone at design conditions for the partial oxidation reaction without stopping production of the product gas.