A method and system for producing methanol that employs steam methane reforming (SMR) and/or autothermal (ATR) synthesis gas production system, together with a partial oxidation system, is disclosed. The dual mode system and method for producing the synthesis gas in a methanol production process optimizes the efficiency and productivity of the methanol plant by using the partial oxidation based reforming system as an independent source of synthesis gas. The disclosed methods and systems are configurable either as a retrofit to existing methanol production facilities or as an integrated package into newly constructed methanol production facilities.

Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is compressed, partially condensed and cooled to form a partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream. The partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream is separated to form an intermediate gas phase stream. The intermediate gas phase stream and the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream are combined to form a two-phase combined stream. The two-phase combined stream is cooled and separated to form an H.sub.2-rich stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream that is enriched with C.sub.3/C.sub.4 hydrocarbons and further comprises C.sub.5.sup.+ hydrocarbons.

The invention relates to methods for creating high value liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel, jet and alcohols using carbon dioxide and water as the starting raw materials and a system for using the same. These methods combine a novel solid oxide electrolytic cell (SOEC) for the efficient and clean conversion of carbon dioxide and water to hydrogen and carbon monoxide, uniquely integrated with a gas-to-liquid fuels producing method.

The invention is for use in gas chemistry for producing hydrogen-containing gas on the base of a CO and H.sub.2 mixture (syngas) from natural gas and other hydrocarbon gases. The object of the invention is to suppress side reactions resulting in soot formation when conducting the process in high productivity mode, and also to provide for an uncomplicated reactor design while maintaining compact dimensions thereof. The method for producing a hydrogen-containing gas comprises mixing natural gas with oxygen, partially oxidizing the natural gas with oxygen at a temperature ranging from 1300 C. to 1700 C. resulting in obtaining hydrogen-containing gas, and cooling the stream of the hydrogen-containing gas produced. Said cooling is performed until the temperature drops below 550 C. and at a rate above 100000 C./sec. The reactor comprises the following steps, which are arranged in series along the technological process: means for supplying natural gas and oxygen, a natural gas and oxygen mixing zone, a zone for conducting the reaction by partially oxidizing the natural gas with oxygen, and a zone for cooling the stream of the hydrogen-containing gas produced, which is equipped with a cooling body of revolution in order to provide an intensive cooling of the stream of hydrogen-containing gas by contacting thereof with said body of revolution.

Processes and units are provided, which carry out cyclic steps of zinc oxidation and reduction of zinc oxide to combine an exothermic heat delivering step with an endothermic syngas production step, respectively. Both steps use zinc as the pivotal element that enables the process to be carried out cyclically. Heat is delivered from the exothermic step to the endothermic syngas via heat storage elements of various types which are arranged according to the reaction's conditions and characteristic temperatures. Thus, energy efficient syngas production methods and units are provided.

In various implementations, feed streams that include methane are reacted to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas may be further processed to produce ultrapure, high-pressure hydrogen streams.

The present invention concerns a device for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4-alkane-containing gas by means of thermal plasma, a process for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4-alkane-containing gas by means of thermal plasma, and the use of a device in a process for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4-alkane-containing gas by means of a process of the invention.

Organic sulfur compounds contained in refinery off gas streams having either high ort low concentrations of olefins are converted to hydrogen sulfides which can be then be removed using conventional amine treating systems. The process uses a catalytic reactor with or without a hydrotreater depending on the olefin concentration of the off gas stream. The catalytic reactor operates in a hydrogenation mode or an oxidation mode to convert a majority of organic sulfur compounds into hydrogen sulfides.

Chemical reactors with annularly positioned delivery and removal devices, and associated systems and methods. A reactor in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a reactor vessel having a light-transmissible surface proximate to a reaction zone, and a movable reactant delivery system positioned within the reactor vessel. The reactor can further include a product removal system positioned within the reactor vessel and positioned annularly inwardly or outwardly from the delivery system. A solar concentrator is positioned to direct solar radiation through the light-transmissible surface to the reaction zone.

A process of partial oxidation is performed in a reactor which includes a reaction chamber and a burner assembly, wherein: the burner assembly has a single oxidant nozzle located within an fuel channel, said oxidant nozzle comprises a nozzle pipe and a nozzle outlet, the nozzle pipe and the fuel channel are arranged to produce a diffusion flame, the nozzle outlet has a shape with two or more elongate lobes projecting from a center of the nozzle pipe.