The present invention provides a system that includes a glow discharge cell and a plasma arc torch. A first valve is connected to a wastewater source. An eductor has a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet, wherein the first inlet is connected to the outlet of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel, the second inlet is connected to the first valve, and the outlet is connected to the tangential inlet of the plasma arc torch. A second valve is connected between the tangential outlet of the plasma arc torch and the inlet of the glow discharge cell, such that the plasma arc torch provides the electrically conductive fluid to the glow discharge cell and the glow discharge cell provides a treated water via the outlet centered in the closed second end.

Proposed are a process and a plant for producing a synthesis gas product stream having an adjustable H.sub.2/CO ratio and a pure hydrogen stream, wherein it is provided according to the invention that a substream of a deacidified synthesis gas stream is supplied to a membrane separation plant fitted with a hydrogen-selective membrane and the remaining substream is supplied to a pressure swing adsorption plant, wherein the latter affords a pure hydrogen stream and a fuel gas stream. The hydrogen-enriched permeate stream obtained from the membrane separation is likewise supplied to the pressure swing adsorption plant, thus enhancing the yield of pure hydrogen. The hydrogen-depleted retentate stream obtained from the membrane separation is discharged as a synthesis gas product stream and if of a suitable composition may be utilized as oxo gas.

The invention pertains to a method for processing a Fischer-Tropsch off-gas wherein Fischer-Tropsch off-gas is contacted with a wash fluid in a scrubber, and wherein the wash fluid is recycled in a closed loop with a dedicated scrubber, stripper and splitter. The wash fluid preferably is kerosene or LDF. The C.sub.3+ hydrocarbons that are recovered from the off-gas are, together with other Fischer-Tropsch product, subjected to hydrocracking or hydrocracking/hydroisomerization. Additionally, hydrogen is recovered from the off-gas.

A method of generating syngas as a primary product from renewable feedstock, fossil fuels, or hazardous waste with the use of a cupola. The cupola operates on inductive heat alone, chemically assisted heat, or plasma assisted heat. Cupola operation is augmented by employing carbon or graphite rods to carry electrical current into the metal bath that is influenced by the inductive element. The method includes the steps of providing a cupola for containing a metal bath; and operating an inductive element to react with the metal bath. A combination of fossil fuel, a hazardous waste, and a hazardous material is supplied to the cupola. A plasma torch operates on the metal bath directly, indirectly, or in a downdraft arrangement. Steam, air, oxygen enriched air, or oxygen are supplied to the metal bath. A pregassifier increases efficiency and a duct fired burner is added to a simple cycle turbine with fossil fuel augmentation.

The invention relates to a process for producing synthesis gas (5) in which hydrocarbon (2) is decomposed thermally in, a first reaction zone (11) to hydrogen and carbon, and hydrogen formed is passed from the first reaction zone (Z1) into a second action zone (Z2) in order to be reacted therein with carbon dioxide (4) to give water and carbon monoxide. The characteristic feature here is that energy required for the thermal decomposition of the hydrocarbon is supplied to the first reaction zone (Z1) from the second reaction zone (Z2).

A process for recovering oil and gas from an underground formation by injecting an ammonia containing enhanced oil recovery formulation into the oil-bearing formation, which process comprises (i) reacting steam with methane containing gas, (ii) combining the reaction mixture obtained with further steam, (iii) removing carbon dioxide to obtain hydrogen, (iv) reacting at least part of the hydrogen with nitrogen, (v) separating off ammonia, (vi) mixing ammonia with water and injecting it into the underground formation, (vii) recovering oil and gas, (viii) separating methane from the fluid recovered from the recovery well, (ix) removing sulfur compounds, and (ix) using in step (i) the methane obtained in step (viii).

A plant and method for hydrogen purification are provided, which comprise a Swing Adsorption (SA) stage and a recycle of purged gaseous impurities.

A bio-renewable conversion process for making fuel from bio-renewable feedstocks is combined with a hydrogen production process that includes recovery of CO.sub.2. The integrated process uses a purge gas stream comprising hydrogen from the bio-renewable hydrocarbon production process in the hydrogen production process.

A method and design of providing high temperature heat for an endothermic gasifier without combustion includes flowing a stream of a first hydrocarbon gas sequentially through an annular plenum and a cylindrical plenum while heating the gas using electrical resistance immersion heating elements. These heating elements may be heated by three phase electrical power, minimizing the number of electrical leads emerging from the top of the heating elements. This method and design reduces the risk of extremely hot syngas exiting the gasifier damaging downstream fittings.

A method and apparatus for upgrading heavy oil is described, having a symbiotic relationship between a cracking reactor vessel and a steam reformer vessel. A first portion of an uncracked residue oil stream from the cracking reactor vessel is passed through a heat exchanger positioned within the steam reformer vessel and back to the cracking reactor vessel, such that a heat exchange takes place which heats the uncracked residue oil stream to promote cracking. A second portion of the uncracked residue oil stream from the cracking reactor vessel is injected directly into the steam reformer vessel. That portion of the uncracked residue oil stream not vaporized in the steam reformer vessel is converted into coke which becomes deposited in a fluidized bed of the steam reformer vessel. The fluidized bed activates steam which reacts with the coke to generate hydrogen. Hydrogen from the steam reformer vessel is directed into the cracking reactor vessel to assist with cracking.