GB1011294A - Production of hydrogen-containing gases from liquid hydrocarbon - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas from a normally liquid hydrocarbon, i.e. one having atmospheric pressure boiling points above 100 DEG F., comprises contacting the hydrocarbon and steam with an alkali metal compound in the molten state. The compound may comprise one or more of the alkali metal carbonates, hydroxides, nitrates, sulphides and oxides, or an alkali metal compound convertible under the reaction conditions to an equilibrium mixture of the carbonate and hydroxide, e.g. sulphates or chlorides. Alkaline earth metal carbonates, hydroxides and oxides may be added. The reaction temperature ranges from 800 DEG to 1800 DEG F., and pressures from 14 to 1000 p.s.i.a., preferably from 50 to 850 p.s.i.a. The hydrocarbon and steam may be bubbled up through a molten pool of the salt in the reaction zone, or they may be charged separately or in admixture to one or more points in the zone, and further, the salt may be sprayed or trickled into the zone. Where they are mixed, the hydrocarbon may be preheated, e.g. to 200 DEG to 800 DEG F., and mixed with preheated steam, or mixed unheated with superheated steam. Steam/carbon ratios (i.e. mols steam per atom of carbon) of 1 to 20 are mentioned. The melt may be circulated between the reaction zone and a heating zone, or the reaction zone may be suitably heated. In one embodiment, hydrocarbon and nitrogen was delivered through a central tube and steam through an outer annular tube, the combined streams being sprayed into the melt, a perforated cone deflector at the top of the reactor preventing salt being entrained in the gas produced. Two specific examples are described using the above apparatus and employing Mid-continent gas oil, and melts comprising respectively (by weight) 15% and 19% lithium carbonate, balance sodium carbonate. Many hydrocarbon starting materials are mentioned, and an ash-rich stream may be withdrawn from the melt.ALSO:A process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas from a normally liquid hydrocarbon, i.e. one having atmospheric pressure boiling points above 100 DEG F., comprises contacting the hydrocarbon and steam with an alkali metal compound in the molten state. The compound may comprise one or more of the alkali metal carbonates, hydroxides, nitrates, sulphides and oxides, or an alkali metal compound convertible under the reaction conditions to an equilibrium mixture of the carbonate and hydroxide, e.g. sulphates or chlorides. Alkaline earth metal carbonates, hydroxides and oxides may be added. The reaction temperature ranges from 800 DEG to 1800 DEG F., and pressures from 14 to 1000 p.s.i.a., preferably from 50 to 850 p.s.i.a. The hydrocarbon and steam may be bubbled up through a molten pool of the salt in the reaction zone, or they may be charged separately or in admixture to one or more points in the zone, and further, the salt may be sprayed or trickled into the zone. Where they are mixed, the hydrocarbon may be preheated, e.g. to 200 DEG to 800 DEG F., and mixed with preheated steam, or mixed unheated with superheated steam. Steam/carbon ratios (i.e. mols steam per atom of carbon) of 1 to 20 are mentioned. The melt may be circulated between the reaction zone and a heating zone, or the reaction zone may be suitably heated. In one embodiment, hydrocarbon and nitrogen was delivered through a central tube and steam through an outer annular tube, the combined streams being sprayed into the melt, a perforated cone deflector at the top of the reactor preventing salt being entrained in the gas produced. Two specific examples are described using the above apparatus and employing mid-continent gas oil, and melts comprising respectively (by weight) 15% and 19% lithium carbonate, balance sodium carbonate. Many hydrocarbon starting materials are mentioned, and an ashrich stream may be withdrawn from the melt.