87a.     ARNOLD, J. H.  Synthesis of Liquid Fuels From Natural Gas.  Advances Chem. Ser. No. 5, 1951, pp. 120-137; Chem. Abs., vol. 45, 1951, p. 10,558.

                  In developing a commercial process to produce liquid fuels from natural gas, reliable large-scale techniques were evolved for producing O₂ and synthesis gas.  To convert synthesis gas to hydrocarbons the use of Fe catalysts in a fluidized bed was required; the method of preparation of the catalyst proved to be much less important than the conditions of its environment during synthesis.  The resultant integrated process (Hydrocol process) is striking in its simplicity and, from the indicated supply of gas, can contribute an appreciable fraction of American liquid-fuel requirements along with large quantities of oxygenated aliphatic chemicals.  By utilizing still more recent developments, huge amounts of C₂H₂ may be obtained.