Method for increasing the efficiency of a gasification process for halogenated materials

Abstract

Methods for improving a gasification process for halogenated materials and in particular for producing useful end products such as anhydrous or highly concentrated hydrogen halides and/or synthesis gas, the methods including recycling water/hydrogen halide vapors and/or carbon dioxide to a gasification reactor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An improved method for a gasification process for halogenated materials, comprising: 
 drawing water/hydrogen halide vapors from a distillation stage of the gasification process; and    recycling the vapor as a reactant and/or moderator feed to a gasification reactor stage of the process.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  that includes managing the pressure, temperature and flow rate of the water/hydrogen halide vapor to control process water balance, to lower carbon particle soot output and to moderate flame temperature in the gasification reactor.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gasification process includes at least a gasification reactor stage in fluid communication with a quench stage, in fluid communication with an absorber stage, in fluid communication with a distillation stage.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  that includes adding carbon dioxide as an additional reactor and/or moderator gas to the gasification reactor stage.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  that includes heating a drawn vapor prior to recycling the vapor.  
     
     
         6 . An improved method for a gasification process for halogenated materials, comprising 
 capturing carbon dioxide from synthesis gas produced by gasification of halogenated materials; and    feeding the carbon dioxide as a reactant and/or moderator gas to a gasification reactor stage of the process.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the gasification process includes at least a gasification reactor stage in fluid communication with a quench stage, in fluid communication with a quench stage, in fluid communication with an absorber stage, in fluid communication with a distillation stage.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus for improving a gasification process for halogenating materials, comprising: 
 a gasifier, the gasifier in fluid communication with a source of halogenated materials;    an absorber in fluid communication with the gasifier;    a distillation unit in fluid communication with the absorber; and    a conduit providing fluid communication from a vapor-draw from the distillation unit to the gasifier.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the gasifier is in fluid communication with a source of oxygen.  
     
     
         10 . The gasifier of  claim 8  wherein the absorber is in fluid communication with a source of liquid hydrogen halide.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  that includes a conduit attached to a heater for heating the vapor.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  that includes a quench in fluid communication with, and between, the gasifier and the absorber.