2174. ------. [MAYLAND, B. J.] (Phillips Petroleum Co.) Hydrocarbon Synthesis Process. United States Patent, 2,564,985, Aug. 21, 1951; appl. filed July 15, 1949, Serial No. 104,923; 8 claims (Cl. 260-449.6).

Organic compounds are produced from a mixture of CO and H₂ by contact with a fixed-bed Fe catalyst at a temperature 285°-320°, pressure 5-20 atm., molar ratio of

H₂:CO==3 : 2 to 2.3 : 1, and space velocity 50-500 vol. fresh synthesis gas per vol. catalyst per hr., until a portion of the catalyst become deactivated by oxidation to FeO through the presence of H₂O vapor. At this point the direction of flow of the gaseous mixture through the catalyst bed is reversed at 10-45 min. intervals without changing the reaction pressure to reactivate the poisoned catalyst. Diagram.