Method of producing off-gas having a selected ratio of carbon monoxide to hydrogen

摘要

A method of producing an off-gas with a selected CO/H2 ratio of from about 0.1 to about 8 and a CO/CO2 ratio of at least about 0.1 by hydrothermal processing is provided. The method comprises the step of contacting a reactant capable of producing CO and H2 under hydrothermal conditions at a temperature of at least about 374 DEG C. and a pressure of at least about 22.1 MPa in the presence of water and with an amount of an additive effective to produce the selected CO/H2 ratio. The contacting is for a time sufficient to produce off-gas having the selected CO/H2 ratio and having a CO/CO2 ratio of at least about 0.1. Presence of the additive may enhance or may reduce the ratio of carbon monoxide to hydrogen in the off-gas. The additive may be an acid, a base, a salt, an oxide, or an oxidant. The off-gas having a selected CO/H2 ratio may be used for synthesis of organic compounds.