2350.     ---------------.  [MYDDLETON, W. W.]  Production of Hydrocarbon Oils From Industrial Gases.  Colliery Guard., vol. 157, 1938, pp. 286-290; Jour. Inst. Fuel, vol. 11, 1938, pp. 477-492; Oel u. Kohle, vol. 14, 1938, pp. 723-726, 761-763; Chem. Age, vol. 38, 1938, pp. 404-407; Chem. Abs., vol. 32, 1938, p. 8105.

        Process described is owned by Synthetic Oils Limited and is similar to the Fischer-Tropsch process.  It is just entering upon a semiscale operation, a plant being under construction that will treat about 200,000 cu. ft. of gas per day, with an estimated yield of 180 gal. of oil.  The process differs somewhat from the Fischer-Tropsch process.  In the first place, by limiting the hydrogenation of the primary oil of synthesis, olefins rather than saturated hydrocarbons are produced, thus increasing the antiknock value of the motor fuel and producing more oils that can be converted into lubricants.  This is partly accomplished by reducing the initial partial pressure of the H₂ in the reaction mixture, and partly by using a Co catalyst of less activity than that usually employed in the Fischer-Tropsch process.  A gasoline has been produced with an octane no. of 68 and containing 70% olefins.  It has also been found unnecessary to maintain in the synthesis gas the ratio CO:H₂=1:2; the conversion works satisfactorily at ratios between 1:1 and 1:1.5 making possible the direct use of blue water gas or Pintsch gas with a resultant reduction in cost.  Furthermore, it is claimed that the catalyst used is stable to S, and that such slight poisoning as may occur has a beneficial effect in reducing the activity of the catalyst and promoting olefin formation.  Even with 25 grains of S per 100 cu. ft., the catalyst has functioned satisfactorily.