1953a. ---------------. [KÖLBEL, H., AND ENGLEHARDT, F.] [Synthesis of Hydrocarbons and Oxygenated Compounds From Steam and Carbon Monoxide.] Brennstoff-Chem., vol. 32, 1952, p. 13-21; Erdöl u. Kohle, vol. 5, 1952, pp. 1-9; Angew, Chem., vol. 64, 1952, p. 54-58; Chem. Age, vol. 66, 1952, pp. 375-376.

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Literature Abstracts

CO and H₂O can be converted in a single step to paraffin hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds using catalysts of group 8 and either standard or high pressures and temperatures 210°-260°, space velocity 1,000 or more. H₂O:CO<0.5. Conversion of H₂O and CO were both over 90%. Yields up to 216 gm. hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds per m.³ CO were obtained. The reacting elements must be in strictly definite and somewhat narrowly defined limits. Thus, for hydrocarbons: H₂O+3 CO→(--CH₂--)+2 CO₂ and for alcohols (ethyl): 3 H₂O+6 CO→C₂H₃OH+4 CO₂. Another important factor in maximum efficiency is the space velocity which is governed by reaction rate at the catalyst surface and involves the duration of contact by the reacting elements. Effect of pressure is discussed with pressures up to 100 atm. Temperature must be adjusted for maximum catalyst activity, but not so high as to cause undesirable side reactions. With a freshly reduced Fe catalyst and normal pressure at 200°, the water gas reaction predominated; yet even with a slight rise to 210° the CO conversion was 90%, and rose to 93-97% at 250° after which it slowly declined with further increase of temperature. CH₄ formation increased beyond 240°, and from this point production of hydrocarbons was no longer parallel with CO conversion. Cheap industrial gases with low CO content, such as generator and furnace gases, can be used without serious inconvenience. Products are mainly saturated and unsaturated paraffins with olefins ranging 35-60% and up to solids in the homologous series. Alcohols may also be produced, especially at pressures >30 atm., with minor amounts of aldehydes, fatty acids and esters. EtOH predominates. The % compositions of the products obtained at 0 and 100 atm. at 235°-238° are tabulated. (See also abs. 1953).

----------. [Reaction Mechanism of the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis. V.] See abs. 1951.

----------. [Reaction Mechanism of the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis. VI. Function of Water Vapor in the Hydrogenation of Carbon Monoxide.] See abs. 1952.

KÖLBEL, H., AND LANGHEIM, R. [Reaction Mechanism of the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis. III. Investigation of the Carbides Formed in the Hydrogenation of Carbon Monoxide on Iron Catalysts.] See abs. 1949.