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 1479.    HAENSEL, V., JONES, J. P., AND HORNE, W. A.  I. G. Farbenindustrie A.-G. Works at Leuna.  XV.  Synol Proces.  CIOS Rept. XXXII-107, 1945, pp. 93-97.  PB 6,650; Bureau of Mines Inf. Circ. 7370, 1946, pp. 93-97.

        Synol process consists essentially of the reaction of a  CO-H₂ mixture (1 CO : 0.7-0.8 H₂) at 18-25 atm. and 190°-200° over a sintered-Fe catalyst such as is used for NH₃ synthesis.  The liquid product consists principally of alcohols and hydrocarbons, the former consisting essentially of straight-chain primary alcohols.  Operation was still in the pilot-plant stage; 2 plants existing.  1 a 4-stage unit with the tubular reactors with capacity of 3-5 tons per month, and a recycle plant with a single plate-type reactor with a capacity of 10-15 tons per month.  A 2-stage process with gas recycle was under consideration.  Both processes are illustrated by flowsheets.  Optimum yield of liquid products is estimated at 155-165 gm. per m.³ of CO+H₂ and appears to consist of 35-50% alcohols, 25-40% olefins and 20-35% paraffins, the alcoholic content being greatest in the temperature range 150°-200°.  Neither type of reactor was satisfactory, the catalyst caked badly in both and was very difficult to remove.  A new design is proposed and illustrated in a diagram.  The sintered Fe catalyst, for which preparation is described, has the analysis:  Fe₃O₄ 97%, Al₂O₃ 2.5%, K₂O 0.2-0.6%, S 0.6%, C 0.03%, apparent density 2.0.  Reduction takes place with pure H₂, atmospheric pressure and 450°.  The essential features of the reduction are:  Maintenance of a high H₂ rate corresponding to a minimum linear velocity of 20 cm. per sec. and a minimum space velocity of 2,000 l. per hr. per l. of catalyst, and efficient drying of H₂.  The time required is about 50 hr.  The method proposed and shown by the flowsheet for the separation of alcohols from the crude synol depends on the formation of boric acid esters.