Production of synthesis gas

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process for the fluid-bed gasification of ashcontaining carbonaceous solids with steam to produce synthesis gas wherein heat is supplied to the gasification zone by passing therethrough a stream of agglomerated ash particles, formed by heating ash particles derived from the carbonaceous solids in a combustion zone at a temperature sufficient to render the ash particles tacky and to cause them to undergo agglomeration. The agglomerated ash particles are formed in a separate fluid-bed agglomerating combustion zone and the resulting agglomerated ash particles introduced into the main combustion zone where they are maintained below agglomerating temperatures but at sufficient temperatures to …