Abstract

A free-oxygen containing gas is heated while under pressure in a gas fired pressurized heater and then reacted with a hydrocarbonaceous fuel optionally in the presence of a temperature moderator in the reaction zone of a free-flow partial oxidation gas generator. The effluent gas stream from the gas generator is cooled, cleaned and optionally purified to produce a H2 +CO-containing product gas. One portion of said product gas is reacted in said pressurized heater with air in order to heat the free-oxygen containing gas going into the gas generator. Another portion of said product gas is burned with air in the combustor of a gas turbine. The exhaust gas from the combustor is passed through an expansion turbine to produce mechanical power for compressing the free-oxygen containing gas and air used in the system. The turbine may also drive a turboelectric generator. At least a portion of the flue gas from the fired pressurized heater may be introduced into the combustor or into the expansion turbine.