PATENT

3511. -----[STANDARD OIL CO.]. Hydrogenation Catalysts.  British Patent 649,464, Oct. 1, 1947.  Chem. Abs., vol. 45, 1951, p. 7337.

Metal carbonyl hydrogenation catalysts, of highest disintegration resistance, are used in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO and H₂ employing the fluid-catalyst technique.  Best supports for the catalysts, such as Fe(CO)₅, were found among the synthetic spinels, such as ZnO·Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃·Al₂O₃, CuO·Al₂O₃.  The metal carbonyl is formed in the 1^st zone and decomposed to deposit the metal on the carrier in a 2d zone whence the exit gases are recycled to the 1^st zone.  Other suitable supports are stable carbonates particularly those of Ba, Ca, or Zn, as well as active C, ordinary soft glass, and Si-Al₂O₃ composites.