{"id":15361,"date":"2022-08-03T14:08:03","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T19:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/us\/\/?p=15361"},"modified":"2025-11-07T14:03:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T19:03:21","slug":"partial-oxidation-pox-reactions-pose-challenges-for-thermocouples-and-other-measuring-instruments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/us\/applications\/partial-oxidation-pox-reactions-pose-challenges-for-thermocouples-and-other-measuring-instruments\/","title":{"rendered":"Partial Oxidation (POX) Reactions Pose Challenges for Thermocouples and Other Measuring Instruments"},"content":{"rendered":"

The extreme temperatures and high concentration of hydrogen in partial oxidation (POX) reactors create a harsh environment for measuring instruments that are not equipped to handle such challenges.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Partial oxidation (POX), the initial process of turning crude hydrocarbon feedstock into higher value components, requires very high temperatures and produces significant heat. Coupled with the challenging media present in process units, such as hydrogen, this extreme environment greatly reduces the lifespan of most measuring instruments, including thermocouples.<\/p>\n

Technology Overview of a Partial Oxidation Plant<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most POX plants use an integrated process for syngas generation, followed by the purification of the resulting constituent compounds.<\/p>\n

Step 1: Partial oxidation<\/h3>\n

Partial oxidation (POX), also called gasification,\u00a0is the process in which the feed fuel \u2013 methane, residual oil, pulverized coal, or another hydrocarbon \u2013 reacts exothermically in the presence of a small amount of oxygen. Because combustion is purposefully incomplete, POX produces a gas that contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The following is the general POX reaction using methane as the feedstock:<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 CH4<\/sub> + \u00bdO2<\/sub> \u2014> CO + 2H2<\/sub> (+ heat)<\/p>\n

The resulting syngas (synthesis gas) contains useful products. For example, hydrogen injected into the air-fuel mixture of a diesel engine results in a more complete combustion, which means greater fuel efficiency and fewer emissions. Hydrogen<\/a> is also used as a fuel. Carbon monoxide is critical in the manufacturing of metals and other basic materials<\/a>, chemicals<\/a> and petrochemicals<\/a>, pharmaceuticals<\/a>, and semiconductors<\/a>. If the POX reaction uses air rather than pure O2<\/sub>, the resulting syngas will also contain N2<\/sub>, CO2<\/sub>, etc. If the feedstock contains sulfur, H2<\/sub>S (hydrogen sulfide) and other sulfur compounds will be present in the syngas as well.<\/p>\n

There are two types of partial oxidation.<\/p>\n