Process for converting solid wastes to gases for use as a town gas

Abstract

A process for converting solid wastes to gases suitable for use as a town gas comprising the steps of (1) pyrolyzing solid wastes at 550.degree. C. or higher in a pyrolyzing furnace to produce pyrolysis gases containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and dioxide, methane and other hydrocarbons as well as chlorine-containing compounds, sulphur-containing compounds and other impurities, (2) washing the pyrolysis gases with an aqueous alkaline solution or the like, (3) refining the washed pyrolysis gases with the hydrogen contained in the pyrolysis gases, (4) reforming the refined pyrolysis gases by steam reforming, CO conversion and/or methanation and (5) separating the excess steam and carbonic acid gas from the reformed gases. In one embodiment, the washing (2) and refining (3) may be substituted by the high-temperature steam reforming of the pyrolysis gases in hot state supplied directly from the pyrolyzing furnace.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.