1317. ---------------. [HALL, C. C.] Oils and Waxes From Coal – Recent German Work on Catalysts. Chem. Age, vol. 55, 1946, pp. 569-570; Colliery Guard., vol. 173, 1946, pp. 698-700; Chem. Trade Jour., vol. 119, 1946, pp. 729-730; Ind. Chemist, 1946, pp. 761-763; Jour. Inst. Fuel, vol. 20, 1947, pp. 65-76, 95.

Return to Abstracts of Literature 1250-1499

Literature Abstracts

Lecture presented before a joint meeting of the Society of Chemical Industry and the Institute of Fuel. The Fischer-Tropsch process was operated in 9 plants in Germany having an annual capacity of 740,000 ton of hydrocarbon products but a maximum output of only 570,000 ton. The catalyst used throughout the plants was of the standard type Co 100 : ThO₂ 5 : MgO 8 : kieselguhr 200; research during the last years was concerned with development of the Fe catalyst, and the general trend was toward the production of olefins, waxes, and alcohols for chemical use rather than products for fuel use. The general efficiency of the process and plants was low; not more than 30% of the total heat input was recovered as primary products, with an additional 25% as steam and residual gas. The net heat consumed in producing 1 ton of primary products was equivalent to 4.5 tons of coal. On the basis of 10 RM per ₤, the capital cost of the German plants varied from 450 to 850 RM per ton annual production and the operating costs, including capital charges, from 240 to 390 RM per ton of primary products. The manufacture of synthesis gas was the major item of cost; to improve the economic prospects of the process 2 possibilities exist: The utilization of a high proportion of the products as high-priced chemical products and a reduction in the cost of synthesis gas. It is estimated that the production of the primary products under present-day British conditions would cost between 2s. and 2s. 6/d gal.