PATENTS

      147.     ------.  [BARR, F. T., AND SCHARMANN, W. G.]  (Standard Oil Development Co.).  Two Stage Synthesis of Hydrocarbons.  United States Patent 2,434,537, Jan. 13, 1948: appl. filed Dec. 16, 1944, Serial No. 568,514, 13 claims (Cl. 260-449.6).  Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948, p. 2087.

Fluid catalyst reactor is used in the 1^st stage, and a stationary bed reactor is used in the 2d stage.  The fluid catalyst operation is used in the fresh synthesis gas under conditions such that only a portion of the gas in converted to hydrocarbons higher than methane.  Conversion is limited so that products liquid under the conditions of operation are not formed .  The tail gas from this stage is led to fixed catalyst reactors.  The concentration of reactants is now low enough that satisfactory temperature control in fixed-bed operation is obtained, and liquid products such as may be formed drain from the catalyst without slowing the reaction.  The tail gas from the 2d stage is led to a cooler-condenser and naphtha-recovery plant.  Tail gas from the fluid catalyst section may be cooled if desired, but operation taking the gas directly from the separating system is simpler and ordinarily superior.  4 patents and 3 literature refs. cited.