PATENT

3875.  ----- [WATSON, C. W.]  (The Texas Co.).  Production of Liquid Hydrocarbons, Oxygenated Hydrocarbons and the Like.  United States Patent 2,583,164, Jan. 22, 1952; appl. filed Sept. 8, 1949 Serial No. 114,620; 21 claims (Cl. 260-449.6).

Carbonaceous material containing H2, such as crude oil or natural gas, is converted into synthesis gas by treatment at 1,000-2,000° F. with a readily reducible oxide of a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst containing a catalytic metal, such as Fe, Co, Ni, or Ru, capable of forming readily reducible oxides.  The resulting synthesis gas and the reduced metal oxide particles are subsequently contacted at a lower temperature 350°-800° F., at which the particles become catalytically effective to convert the synthesis gas into desired product fractions.  The catalyst particles are reconverted to a highly oxidic form, providing a continuous source of O2 for gasification of carbonaceous feed material and largely or completely obviating the requirement for rectified molecular O2 otherwise encountered in the production of pure synthesis gas.  Moreover, the hydrocarbon synthesis operates with greatly reduced production of undesired byproducts gases, such as CH4, CO2, and H2O vapor, thus enabling increased yield of desired liquid product fractions.