349.    BREYWISCH, -----.  [Synol Synthesis.]  Scientific Contribution No. 10 from the Laboratory of the Merseberg Ammonia Plant, April 1943, 2 pp.; PB 869. 

                  It was discovered at Leuna that the medium-pressure synthesis for the production of hydrocarbons by the reduction of CO could be directed so that up to 60% of the product would consist of unbranched aliphatic alcohols.  A catalyst similar to the Leuna NH₃ catalyst, in which the K content was 0.1-0.7% and which had been reduced in an excess of H₂ (1:1000) at 400°-500°, was used.  The conversion of CO and H₂ amounted to 1:150 or 25% more than in technical benzine synthesis at 190°-200°.  The pressure should be above 20 atm., preferably 25 atm.  The yield of primary product was 0.4-0.5 ton/m.³ of catalyst/day.  The CO and H₂ were in the ratio of 1:1, and the synthesis was performed in 3-4 successive steps.  Both H₂O and CO₂ were obtained as byproducts instead of only H₂O as with Co catalyst.  With the Fe catalyst, a gas ratio of nearly 2H₂:CO could be maintained by recycling the gas so rapidly over the catalyst that the partial pressure of the water vapor, which underwent conversion with the CO, remained low.  The synthesis products must be removed quickly from contact with the catalyst in order to avoid secondary reactions such as dehydration and hydrogenation.  The primary products with small amounts of acids, aldehydes, 15% of gasol, and 5-10% of CH₄ were as follows: 

                  Increase in pressure, CO content, and K content of the catalyst increased the yield of paraffins, whereas decrease in pressure, CO content, and K content as well as an increase in conversion increased the formation of gasol.  Some directions are given for recovering and working up the products, and some possible uses for the various factions are mentioned.