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 method of producing liquid fuel and/or chemicals from a carbonaceous material entails combusting a conditioned syngas in pulse combustion heat exchangers of a steam reformer to help convert carbonaceous material into first reactor product gas which includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and other gases. A portion of the first reactor product gas is transferred to a hydrogen reformer into which additional conditioned syngas is added and a reaction carried out to produce an improved syngas. The improved syngas is then subject to one or more gas clean-up steps to form a new conditioned syngas. A portion of the new conditioned syngas is recycled to be used as the conditioned syngas in the pulse combustion heat exchangers and in the hydrocarbon reformer. A system for carrying out the method include, a steam reformer, a hydrocarbon reformer, first and second gas-cleanup systems, a synthesis system and an upgrading system.

The present invention provides a paraffin wax having a congealing point according to ASTM D938 of at least 75° C. and a Saybolt colour according to ASTM D156 of at least 25 cm.

A plant, such as a hydrocarbon plant, is provided, which has a syngas stage for syngas generation and a synthesis stage where the syngas is synthesized to produce syngas derived product, such as hydrocarbon product. The plant makes effective use of various streams; in particular CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2. The plant does not comprise an external feed of hydrocarbons. A method for producing a product stream, such as a hydrocarbon product stream is also provided.

A method for producing a synthesis gas for use in the production of a hydrocarbon product, particularly a synthetic fuel, the method including the steps of: providing a hydrocarbon feed gas; optionally, purifying the hydrocarbon feed gas in a gas purification unit; optionally, prereforming the hydrocarbon feed gas together with a steam feedstock in a prereforming unit; carrying out steam methane reforming in a reforming reactor heated by means of an electrical power source; providing the synthesis gas to a synthetic fuel synthesis unit, preferably a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit, for converting the synthesis gas into hydrocarbon product and producing a tail gas. Also, a system for producing a synthesis gas for use in the production of a hydrocarbon product, particularly a synthetic fuel.

The present invention describes a processes, systems, and catalysts for the conversion of carbon dioxide and water and electricity into low carbon or zero carbon high quality fuels and chemicals. In one aspect, the present invention provides an integrated process for the conversion of a feed stream comprising carbon dioxide to a product stream comprising hydrocarbons between 5 and 24 carbon atoms in length.

The invention relates to a process, catalysts, materials for conversion of renewable electricity, air, and water to low or zero carbon fuels and chemicals by the direct capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the conversion of the carbon dioxide to fuels and chemicals using hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water.

The present invention relates to a system for producing synthetic fuels, in particular jet fuel (kerosene), gasoline and/or diesel, comprising: a) an apparatus for separately extracting carbon dioxide and water from ambient air, b) a synthesis gas production apparatus for producing a raw synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water, the synthesis gas production apparatus having a supply line for carbon dioxide leading from the apparatus for separately extracting carbon dioxide and water from ambient air, a supply line for air and a supply line for water, c) a separating apparatus for separating carbon dioxide and water from the raw synthesis gas produced in the synthesis gas production apparatus, d) a Fischer-Tropsch apparatus for producing hydrocarbons by means of a Fischer-Tropsch process from the synthesis gas from which carbon dioxide and water were separated in the separating apparatus, e) a refining apparatus for refining the hydrocarbons produced in the Fischer-Tropsch apparatus into synthetic fuels, f) a desalination apparatus for desalinating water, the desalination apparatus having a water supply line from the apparatus for separately extracting carbon dioxide and water from ambient air and a water discharge line to the Fischer-Tropsch apparatus, and g) a water purification apparatus, which comprises a water supply line leading from the Fischer-Tropsch apparatus for purifying water produced therein, the system further comprising a pre-reformer for converting hydrocarbons other than methane into methane, carbon oxides, water and hydrogen and i) a water vapor supply line leading from the water purification apparatus to the pre-reformer, ii) a process gas supply line leading from the refining apparatus to the pre-reformer and/or a return gas line leading from the Fischer-Tropsch apparatus to the pre-reformer and iii) a circulation line leading from the pre-reformer to the supply line for water connected to the synthesis gas production apparatus.

There is provided systems and methods for aggregating and enhancing the initial materials produced from the conversion of flare gas at a flare gas source. In an embodiment the flare gas source is a hydrocarbon wellhead and the initial material is methanol and the end product is grade methanol.

A method of processing exhaust gas containing CO.sub.2, such as exhaust gas from a cement production plant, includes burning fuel in the combustion reactor with the O.sub.2 content of the exhaust gas being used as an oxidizing agent, controlling the combustion in the combustion reactor so that the exhaust gas from the combustion reactor contains less than 10 vol.-% of oxygen and at least 80 vol.-% of a mixture of CO and CO.sub.2, and feeding the exhaust gas from the combustion reactor into a conversion reactor, in which the CO.sub.2 and optionally the CO contained in the exhaust gas is converted into a hydrocarbon fuel.