PATENT

3599. ----- [STEINKOHLEN-BERGWERK “RHEINPREUSSEN”].  [Process for Activating Iron Catalysts.]  German Patent Appl. St 63,636, PA 705,256, filed Nov. 22, 1943 (Cl. 12 o-1.03).  FIAT R eel B-196, frames  613-616; PB 83,253.

In activating Fe catalysts with CO or with gases containing it, the gas used for this purpose is passed at normal or slightly raised pressure or at subpressure and at temperatures of 180°-350°, preferably 200°-260°.  The proportion of fresh gas to that of the recycled tail gas stands at 1:3 up to 1:15.  The CO₂ is removed from the recycled tail gas by absorption in soda lime.  This method allows the synthesis operation to be performed at 205° and 10 atmospheres with water gas.  The yield of hydrocarbons with more than 1 C atom in the molecule amounts to about 150-160 gm. per N m.³ of CO+H₂.  A conversion of CO of as high as 95% can be obtained.