Syngas by partial oxidation of heavy oils

Partial oxidation is the reaction of hydrocarbons with an insufficient amount of oxygen with regard to complete combustion it is usually conducted at temperatures of up to 1600 °C and pressures up to 100 bar. The reactions of partial oxidation may be simplified as follows  

CO and H2 are the main products, but CO2 and H2O are also formed by combustion and the water-gas shift reaction and some CH4 by thermal cracking. Beside oxygen, steam is added, which leads to more hydrogen [Eq. (6.2.22)] than expected according to Eq. (6.2.21) only. Sulfur, which is always present in heavy oils, is converted into H2S (95%) and COS (5%). 

Under the conditions of partial oxidation, carbon should not be present according to the Boudouard equilibrium [Eq. (6.2.6)], but nevertheless soot can be present in the raw gas. During partial oxidation of methane soot formation is practically zero, whereas in heavy-oil gasification of up to 4% by mass of feedstock is converted into soot. 

The raw syngas of partial oxidation of heavy oil contains almost equal amounts of CO and H2, about 5% CO2 and small amounts of CH4, N2, Ar, and H2S (Table 6.2.6, second column from right). For methanol, Fischer-Tropsch, or hydrogen production part, or all, of the CO is converted with steam into CO2 and H2. By addition of nitrogen from the air separation unit, syngas suitable for ammonia can also be produced. 

The main reaction of steam reforming of natural gas (here taken as methane) is  

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