PATENT

3551. ----- [STANDARD OIL CO.]  Synthesis of Hydrocarbons.  British Patent 598,041, Feb. 9, 1948; appl. filed Aug. 29, 1945.  British Abs., I, B, 1948, p. 386; Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948, p. 5645

Catalytic synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO and H2 is effected in 2 stages, stage A employing a fluidized powdered catalyst under operating conditions that preclude the formation of liquid hydrocarbons and waxes and Stage B, 1 or more stationary beds of hydrogenation catalyst in which liquid hydrocarbons are formed.  A mixture containing about 2 mols. of H2 per mol. of CO enters the  1st reactor at <350°, 15-125 p. s. i.  through a powdered (100-400 mesh) Co catalyst activated with ThO2, while the temperature is maintained  205°-260°.  With Fe catalysts, a CO:H2 mol. ratio of 1:1 and 40-250 p. s. i.  pressure 260°-343° are preferred.  After scrubbing and removing entrained catalyst, the tail gas passes to the 2d reactor containing granular or pelleted catalyst, in which the preferred conditions for CO catalysts are 191°-232° and 15-125 p. s. i.  on the 1st reactor.  The temperature is rigidly controlled by charging relatively small amounts of catalyst with the reactants, adding more catalyst as the rate of reaction diminishes considerably, and by using internal cooling tubes.  Gasoline and gas oil are recovered from stage B.

See also United States Patent 2,434,537 (abs. 147).