950.    ---------------.  [FISCHER, F.]  [Synthesis of Petroleum Hydrocarbons.]  Brennstoff-Chem., vol. 8, 1927, pp. 1-5; Fuel, vol. 6, 1927, pp. 89-94; Proc. Internat. Conf. Bituminous Coal, 1^st Conf. 1926, pp. 234-246; Ges. Abhandl. Kenntnis Kohle, vol. 8, 1929, pp. 384-393; Canadian Chem. and Met., vol. 11, 1927, pp. 7-10; Fuel Econ., vol. 2, 1927, pp. 335-338, 616-617; Chem. Abs., vol. 21, 1927, p. 1537.

     Refers briefly to recovery of hydrocarbons from coal by low-temperature carbonization and by hydrogenation under pressure, Bergius process.  The last process carried out at 200 atm. and 400°-500° converts about half the coal into oil.  Hydrogenation of CO may be carried out at both high and low pressures.  At high pressures with an alkalized Fe catalyst, a mixture of acids, alcohols and aldehydes is obtained (synthol, abs. 101, 944, 3198); with a ZnO catalyst MeOH is obtained.  At atmospheric pressure with Fe metals as catalysts, hydrocarbons (abs. 1018, 1020, 1021) from butane to solid paraffin are obtained.  Co is more active than other metals of the series; the temperature should be 200°-300° and the ratio H₂:CO about 1:1.  Temperatures higher than 300° favor CH₄ formation; strong bases in the catalyst favor solid paraffin.  A yield of 100 gm. of liquids was obtained by several passages of the gas.  Water gas may be used, but it must be especially purified and freed from organic S.  With pure gas the catalyst retains its activity indefinitely.  Fischer proposes to use his process as an adjunct to water-gas plants where it can be used to produce motor spirit or to enrich gas for distribution as required.