Process for producing a synthesis gas

Abstract

Process for manufacturing a hydrogen-containing synthesis gas from a natural gas feedstock, comprising the conversion of said natural gas into a raw product gas and purification of said product gas, the process having a heat input provided by combustion of a fuel; said process comprises a step of conversion of a carbonaceous feedstock, and at least a portion of said fuel is a gaseous fuel obtained by said step of conversion of said carbonaceous feedstock.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plant for the production of a hydrogen-containing synthesis gas from a natural gas feedstock, comprising a section for the conversion of said natural gas into a raw product gas, at least one fired device producing heat, a fuel line directed to said fired device(s), and a purification section fed with said raw product gas;
 wherein it comprises a gasifier fed with a carbonaceous feedstock and in that said gasifier provides at least part of the fuel directed to said at least one fired device.   
     
     
         2 . The plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said fired device comprises at least one of the following:
 one or more burners of a radiant section of a primary reformer;   one or more burners of a convective section of a primary reformer;   one or more burners of a desulphurizer pre-heater arranged to preheat said natural gas before desulphurization and subsequent reforming;   one or more burners of a process fired heater; one or more burners of an auxiliary steam generator or steam superheater or a heat recovery steam generator downstream a gas turbine;   one or more gas turbines.   
     
     
         3 . The plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said gasifier is a solid particles-agglomerating gasifier providing a flow of ash and unconverted carbon along with a stream of raw synthesis gas. 
     
     
         4 . The plant according to  claim 1 , wherein said gasifier is fed with a sulphur sorbent and provides a stream of partly desulphurized synthesis gas.