Multiple vessel molten metal gasifier

A plant for conversion of a carbon feed to a gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, said plant comprising:

• a. a first zone means suitable to contain a molten material that is at a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C. at a pressure in the range of 0 to 15 psig comprising:
• a first zone liquid outlet means for removing at least a portion of a slag layer from said first zone means;
• a first zone input means for introducing into said carbon feed;
• a first zone pressure regulating means for controlling pressure of any gases therein;
• a first zone recycle outlet for permitting transfer of said molten material as a liquid at 1000.degree. C. or more from said first zone to a second zone and a first zone recycle inlet for permitting transfer of said molten material from said second zone into said first zone;
• and
• b. said second zone means suitable to contain said molten material at a pressure in the range of about 25 to 3000 psig comprising:
• a second zone recycle inlet means for permitting transfer of material from said first zone means to said second zone means;
• a second zone recycle outlet means for permitting transfer of material from said second zone to said first zone;
• and
• an oxygen-containing source inlet means for permitting introduction of an oxygen-containing materials into said second zone under a controlled pressure and at a controlled rate;
• a second zone pressure regulating means for permitting transfer of gases from said second zone under a controlled pressure and at a controlled rate;
• c. a first recycle conduit means for transferring molten metal wherein said means has at least one inlet and at least one outlet;
• and
• d. a second recycle conduit means for transferring molten metal, wherein said means has at least one inlet and at least one outlet;
• wherein said first zone gas outlet means is connected in a fluid tight fashion to said first zone pressure regulating means for controlling pressure within said first zone;
• said first zone input means is connected to a means for transferring solids or gases in a fluid tight seal fashion with means for controlling pressure of such transfer into said first zone;
• said at least one inlet of said first recycle conduit means is connected in a fluid tight seal to said first zone recycle outlet;
• said at least one outlet of said first recycle conduit means is connected in a fluid tight seal to said second zone recycle inlet;
• said at least one inlet of said second recycle conduit is connected in a fluid tight seal to said second zone recycle outlet;
• said at least one outlet in said second recycle conduit means is connected in a fluid tight seal to said first zone recycle inlet;
• whereby flow at least in part due to gravity can transfer hot metal from said first zone to said second zone and back;
• and wherein said first zone pressure regulating means and said second zone pressure regulating means are attached, respectively, to said first zone gas outlet means and said second zone gas outlet means in fluid tight seals respectively control pressure in said first and second zone means wherein molten metal level within each said first and second zone means are controlled as is pressure both within said first and said second zone means.