PATENTS

3330.   ------.  [SENSEL, E. E., AND BECK, R. A.]  Hydrogenation of Carbon Monoxide.  United States Patent 2,437,051, Mar. 2, 1948; appl. filed Mar. 24, 1944, Serial No. 528,004; 2 claims (Cl. 260-449.6).  Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948, p. 3933.

When reacting CO and H2 in contact with a catalyst, the yield of relatively unsaturated liquid hydrocarbons can be increased by carrying out the process at a temperature range 392°-450° F. and at pressures of atmosphere and above, the catalyst consisting of a major proportion of metallic Co in admixture with ThO2 and with an amount of Na2CO3 corresponding to about 0.55-2.85% of Na based on the weight of the Co and deposited on a siliceous support.  The method may be varied within wide limits, including the proportions of CO and H2, reaction pressure, space velocity, etc., since the effect of the addition of the alkaline metal compound apparently is independent of variables other than temperature.  Increasing the amount of a Na2CO3 above the lower limit raises the optimum reaction temperature and above the range specified reduces the yields of liquid hydrocarbons at all temperatures.