Chemically-modified mixed fuels, methods of production and uses thereof

• US 8,545,580 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2012
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AdvanSix Resins & Chemicals, LLC (Advansix Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Togna, Keith A., Euen, Craig T., Weeks, Steven W., Loya, Mohammed I., Warren, Matthew C., Kendrick, Richard H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toomer, Cephia D
• Assistant Examiner(s): VASISTH, VISHAL V
• Application Number:
  US13/412,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20120171630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 508/100, 481/273, 481/277, 481/279, 481/891, 481/97.FM, 431/12
• US Class Current: 48/127.3
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/025 containing a partial oxidation step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/36 using oxygen or mixtures containing oxygen as gasifying agents
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 3/06 Natural gas; Synthetic natural gas obtained by processes not covered by C10G, C10K3/02 or C10K3/04 liquefying by pressure and cold treatment F25J
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

A chemically-modified mixed fuel includes methane gas from at least two methane-production sources and can be utilized in any process that incorporates a Kellogg Primary Reformer. A method for producing the chemically-modified mixed fuel described herein includes providing a first methane-containing gas from a first methane-production source, providing a second methane-containing gas from a second methane-production source and blending the first methane-containing gas with the second methane-containing gas at a suitable pressure to form a chemically-modified mixed fuel. In some cases, at least one additional methane-containing gas can be provided from at least one additional methane-production source and blended with the chemically-modified fuel.

Claims

1. A fuel burning process, comprising the steps of:

providing a first methane-containing gas from a first methane production source at a first, relatively higher pressure;

providing a second methane-containing gas from a biogenic methane production source at a second, relatively lower pressure;

pressurizing the second methane-containing gas from the second pressure toward the first pressure;

blending the first methane-containing gas with the second methane-containing gas to form a chemically-modified mixed fuel; and

combusting the chemically-modified mixed fuel in arch burners of a primary reformer of a Kellogg Primary Reformer System.

2. The process of claim 1, further including, after said blending step and prior to said combusting step, the additional step of:

pressurizing the chemically-modified mixed fuel to a pressure higher than the first pressure.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein said step of pressurizing the chemically-modified mixed fuel further comprises pressurizing the chemically-modified mixed fuel to a pressure of at least 75 psig.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said blending step further comprises blending a third, additional methane-containing gas, provided from at least one additional methane production source, into the chemically-modified mixed fuel.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the first methane production source comprises at least one fossil fuel source, at least one abiogenic source or a combination thereof.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein a percentage of methane in said second gas is greater than about 40%.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the percentage of methane in said second gas is between 45-50%.

8. The process of claim 6, wherein the percentage of methane in said first gas is greater than about 70%.

9. The process of claim 6, wherein the percentage of methane in said first gas is between 70-90%.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein the second methane containing gas is landfill gas.

11. A fuel burning process, comprising the steps of:

providing a first methane-containing gas from a first methane production source;

providing a second methane-containing gas from a biogenic methane production source;

blending the first methane-containing gas with the second methane-containing gas at a first ratio to form a chemically-modified mixed fuel;

combusting the chemically-modified mixed fuel in arch burners of a primary reformer of a Kellogg Primary Reformer System to provide an energy output; and

adjusting the first ratio of said blending step based on variations in at least one of pressure and heating value of the second methane-containing gas to maintain the energy output.

12. The process of claim 11, wherein the second methane containing gas is landfill gas.

13. The process of claim 11, wherein:

said step of providing a second methane-containing gas further comprises providing the second methane-containing gas at a first, relatively lower pressure; and

said blending step further comprises blending the first methane-containing gas with the second methane-containing gas at a second, relatively higher pressure.

14. The process of claim 11, wherein said blending step further comprises blending a third, additional methane-containing gas, provided from at least one additional methane production source, into the chemically-modified mixed fuel.

15. The process of claim 11, further including, after said blending step and prior to said combusting step, the additional step of:

pressurizing said chemically-modified mixed fuel to a pressure of at least 75 psig.

16. The process of claim 11, wherein the first methane production source comprises at least one fossil fuel source, at least one abiogenic source or a combination thereof.

17. The process of claim 11, wherein a percentage of methane in said second gas is greater than about 40%.

18. The process of claim 17, wherein the percentage of methane in said second gas is between 45-50%.

19. The process of claim 17, wherein the percentage of methane in said first gas is greater than about 70%.

20. The process of claim 17, wherein the percentage of methane in said first gas is between 70-90%.