A method and apparatus for reforming carbonaceous material into syngas containing hydrogen and CO gases is disclosed. In one embodiment, a hydrogen rich torch reactor is provided for defining a reaction zone proximate to torch flame. One input of the reactor receives input material to be processed. Further inputs may be provided, such as for example to introduce steam and/or gases such as methane, oxygen, hydrogen, or the like.

A system and method for processing unconditioned syngas first removes solids and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC), then removes volatile organic compounds (VOC), and then removes at least one sulfur containing compound from the syngas. Additional processing may be performed depending on such factors as the source of syngas being processed, the products, byproducts and intermediate products desired to be formed, captured or recycled and environmental considerations.

A system and process is provided for generating power from a syngas fermentation process. The process includes contacting hot syngas having a temperature above about 1400 F. with cooled syngas to produce a pre-cooled syngas having a temperature of 1400 F. or less at an inlet of a waste heat boiler. A waste heat boiler receives the pre-cooled syngas and is effective for producing waste heat boiler high pressure steam and a cooled syngas.

A process and apparatus are provided for reducing content of tar in a tar containing syngas. The process includes contacting the tar containing syngas with a molecular oxygen containing gas in a first reaction zone to produce a gas mixture. The gas mixture is passed through a heat treatment zone maintained at a temperature between about 900 C. to about 2000 C. for a contact time of about 0.5 to about 5 seconds. In this aspect, at least a portion of the tar undergoes at least partial oxidation and/or cracking to produce a hot syngas.

A hydrocarbon stream is combusted within a reactor to produce soot and syngas. Sub-stoichiometric combustion of the hydrocarbon stream within the reactor converts at least 10% of the carbon in the hydrocarbon stream into soot. The syngas is mixed with a steam stream to produce a hydrogenation feed stream. A shift reactor converts at least a portion of the carbon monoxide and steam to carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce a shifted gas stream. Water is separated from the shifted gas stream to produce a dehydrated gas stream. The dehydrated gas stream is separated to produce a hydrogen product stream and a recycle stream. The recycle stream is recycled to the reactor.

Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or syngas) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (PDX) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.

Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or syngas) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (POX) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.

A reactor system for partial oxidation gasification includes a reactor vessel that has a defined reaction zone with a reaction zone inlet and a reaction zone outlet. An injector section is operable to inject reactants to the reaction zone inlet. A coolant injector is operable to inject a coolant adjacent a reaction zone outlet. A reactor vessel outlet is located downstream of the coolant injector. A controller is configured to operate the coolant injector with respect to cooling a synthesis gas discharged from the reaction zone outlet and upwardly shifting a ratio H.sub.2:CO to a target ratio.

A system and method to produce olefins may include one or more pre-heating assemblies to heat one or more of a hydrocarbon feed or dilution steam, and one or more cracking furnaces in flow communication with at least one of the pre-heating assemblies. At least one of the cracking furnaces may be at least partially powered by electricity or hydrogen to generate heat to at least partially crack the hydrocarbon feed into at least partially cracked hydrocarbons including olefins and methane. The system further may include one or more pyrolyzers to separate methane from the at least partially cracked hydrocarbons into carbon black and hydrogen. The system still further may include one or more converters to convert hydrogen into electricity. The systems and methods may result in more efficient production of olefins and relatively reduced emission of carbon dioxide.

A system and method for processing unconditioned syngas first removes solids and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC), then removes volatile organic compounds (VOC), and then removes at least one sulfur containing compound from the syngas. Additional processing may be performed depending on such factors as the source of syngas being processed, the products, byproducts and intermediate products desired to be formed, captured or recycled and environmental considerations.