A process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the raw synthesis gas from the gasification zone and supplying at least part of the recovered raw synthesis gas to a partial oxidation zone; equilibrating the H.sub.2:CO ratio of the raw synthesis gas in the partial oxidation zone to obtain equilibrated synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the equilibrated synthesis gas from the partial oxidation zone and treating the gas to remove impurities and generate a fine synthesis gas; and converting the optionally adjusted fine synthesis gas into the useful product in a further chemical reaction requiring a usage ratio.

A process for the manufacture of a useful product from carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics, comprising the steps of: continuously providing the carbonaceous feedstock of fluctuating compositional characteristics to a gasification zone; gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock in the gasification zone to obtain raw synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the raw synthesis gas from the gasification zone and supplying at least part of the recovered raw synthesis gas to a partial oxidation zone; equilibrating the H.sub.2:CO ratio of the raw synthesis gas in the partial oxidation zone to obtain equilibrated synthesis gas; recovering at least part of the equilibrated synthesis gas from the partial oxidation zone and treating the gas to remove impurities and generate a fine synthesis gas; and converting the optionally adjusted fine synthesis gas into the useful product in a further chemical reaction requiring a usage ratio.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare an activated carbon product and a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps. (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles. (ii) separating the solids fraction from the gaseous fraction. and (iii) activating the char particles as obtained in step (ii) to obtain the activated carbon product.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare an activated carbon product and a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps. (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles. (ii) separating the solids fraction from the gaseous fraction. and (iii) activating the char particles as obtained in step (ii) to obtain the activated carbon product.

The invention comprises a process for obtaining a gas from a fluid fuel and an oxidising fluid, said process comprising steps in which the incoming fluid is subjected to temperature, photocatalytic action and reaction with catalysts, all this within a device with a tubular structure which the incoming fluid circulates through in a spiral manner, between a fixed bed attached to the walls of the duct and a circulating bed with an ionised gas stream that occupies a central position of the duct, producing a gas obtained.

An apparatus (10) for preparation of acetylene and synthesis gas by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen is proposed, comprising a reactor (12). The reactor (12) has a burner block (14) with a firing space for acetylene preparation, a secondary space (18) formed within the burner block (14), and an annular space (20) surrounding the secondary space (18). The burner block (14) has holes (22) for supply of a stream of a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygen to the firing space and holes (24) for supply of a stream of auxiliary oxygen to the firing space. The holes (24) for supply of a stream of auxiliary oxygen to the firing space are connected to the secondary space (18). The secondary space (18) is connected to the annular space (20). There is a further proposal of a process for preparing acetylene and synthesis gas by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen.

An apparatus (10) for preparation of acetylene and synthesis gas by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen is proposed, comprising a reactor (12). The reactor (12) has a burner block (14) with a firing space for acetylene preparation, a secondary space (18) formed within the burner block (14), and an annular space (20) surrounding the secondary space (18). The burner block (14) has holes (22) for supply of a stream of a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygen to the firing space and holes (24) for supply of a stream of auxiliary oxygen to the firing space. The holes (24) for supply of a stream of auxiliary oxygen to the firing space are connected to the secondary space (18). The secondary space (18) is connected to the annular space (20). There is a further proposal of a process for preparing acetylene and synthesis gas by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen.

Embodiments include a method for converting renewable energy source electricity and a hydrocarbon feedstock into a liquid fuel by providing a source of renewable electrical energy in communication with a synthesis gas generation unit and an air separation unit. Oxygen from the air separation unit and a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided to the synthesis gas generation unit, thereby causing partial oxidation reactions in the synthesis gas generation unit in a process that converts the hydrocarbon feedstock into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is then converted into a liquid fuel.

Embodiments include a method for converting renewable energy source electricity and a hydrocarbon feedstock into a liquid fuel by providing a source of renewable electrical energy in communication with a synthesis gas generation unit and an air separation unit. Oxygen from the air separation unit and a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided to the synthesis gas generation unit, thereby causing partial oxidation reactions in the synthesis gas generation unit in a process that converts the hydrocarbon feedstock into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is then converted into a liquid fuel.

Integrated liquid fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer and fuel cell systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongated tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces. The wall encloses an unobstructed gaseous flow passageway. At least a portion of the wall has CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The liquid fuel CPOX reformer also can include a vaporizer, one or more igniters, and a source of liquid reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the CPOX reactor unit.