A method for producing a methane-lean synthesis gas from petroleum coke

摘要

A methane-lean synthesis gas is produced from the steam gasification of petroleum coke in a fluidized bed at temperatures of between 650 and 790°C and pressures of between 1.75 and 14 kgicm² using a potassium or sodium salt to catalyze the steam-gasification reaction. The synthesis gas produced contains less than about 3 volume % methane and less than 40% volume of steam. Because of its low methane content the gas may be used to produce methanol or a high purity product gas containing substantially only hydrogen and carbon dioxide which, in turn, may be scrubbed to produce a gas containing at least 95 volume % hydrogen. If the methane lean gas produced from the gasification reactor contains nitrogen, e.g. when air is used to combust the coke to maintain the temperature of the fluidized bed, then the methane lean gas may be used to produce high purity ammonia.