Partial oxidation apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for the partial oxidation of a high metals or ash containing liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel or a slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel to simultaneously produce saturated and unsaturated raw streams of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas. Two continuous partial oxidation reactions in two separate reaction zones go on simultaneously. The fuel feed to the first partial oxidation zone is said fresh high metals or ash containing fuel. The raw product gas stream from the first partial oxidation zone is split into first and second split gas streams. The first split gas stream may be cooled in a radiant and/or convection type gas cooler without fouling heat exchange surfaces. The fuel feed to the second partial oxidation zone is a pumpable slurry which is prepared from the entrained matter that is separated from said gas streams during quench cooling and cleaning operations and which contains a comparatively high amount of metals and/or ash. The partial oxidation reaction takes place in the second partial oxidation zone in a reducing atmosphere that includes the second split raw product gas stream from the first partial oxidation zone. By the subject process, there is a reduction in the unconverted carbon produced without any significant loss in efficiency. Further, the life of the cooler for the raw product gas stream is increased.