Method for generation of a synthesis gas mixture co-h</sb> under pressure by catalytic partial oxidation with minimisation of the formation of soot

A method which may be used for creating a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, said method comprising:

• a) producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide through a partial catalytic oxidation of at least one hydrocarbon with oxygen or a gas comprising oxygen, wherein said oxidation takes place:
• 1) at a temperature less than about 1200° C.;
• 2) at pressure between about 3 bar and about 20 bar;
• and
• 3) in a first zone of a vessel;
• b) recovering a gas mixture from said partial oxidation, wherein:
• 1) said gas mixture comprises hydrogen and carbon monoxide;
• 2) said recovered gas mixture has a pressure between about 3 bar and about 20 bar;
• and
• 3) said gas mixture rapidly enters a second zone of said vessel in less than about 100 milliseconds;
• and
• c) cooling said gas mixture by direct contact with pressurized water, wherein said gas mixture is cooled:
• 1) in said second zone of said vessel;
• and
• 2) to a temperature between about −20° C. and about 80° C.

An apparatus which may be used for preparing a gas mixture with controlled parts of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a partial catalytic oxidation reactor, wherein:
• 1) a hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas mixture is produced in said reactor through a partial catalytic oxidation reaction between at least one hydrocarbon and oxygen or a gas comprising oxygen;
• and
• 2) said reaction takes place:
• i) at a temperature less than about 1200° C.;
• and
• ii) at a pressure between about 3 bar and about 20 bar;
• b) a cooling means for cooling said gas mixture, wherein:
• 1) said gas mixture is cooled by direct contact with pressurized water;
• and
• 2) said gas mixture is cooled to a temperature between about −20° C. and about 80° C.;
• and
• c) a vessel, wherein said vessel comprises:
• 1) said reactor;
• 2) said cooling means;
• and
• 3) an accelerating means, wherein said accelerating means:
• i) is located between said reactor and said cooling means;
• and
• ii) accelerates the passage of said gas mixture from said reactor to said cooling means such that the gas mixture transport time between said reactor and said cooling means is less than about 100 milliseconds.