PATENT

3514. ----- [STANDARD OIL CO.]  Improved Hydrocarbon Synthesis Fluidized Bed.  British Patent Appl. 4,538, 1948.  Chem. Age, vol. 60, 1949, p. 389.

Catalyst is in finely powdered form arranged in beds through which an upward current of gas or vapor is passed to maintain a dense turbulent mass.  The difficulty of deposition of C on the catalyst has been eliminated by using relatively high pressure in the reaction zone, ranging up to approximately 400 p. s. i., together with high H₂ partial pressure.  Physical disintegration or other deterioration of the catalyst is also avoided.  Operating conditions are controlled to give per m.³ of CO-H₂ mixture, a minimum yield of 190 cc. butane and higher boiling constituents, or a minimum yield of propane and higher boiling constituents.  The temperature of the reaction should be 650°-725° F.  The catalyst may be any of the unsuitable Fischer type (Fe group), or Fe base such as the synthetic NH₃ catalyst pyrites ash catalyst reduced red Fe oxide.