2739.     PRAX, Y.  Synthetic Methanol.  Chem. and Ind., No. 34, Aug. 23, 1947, p. 525.

        Since 1945, a pilot plant for the synthesis of MeOH by the Lacotte process has been operating at Decazeville, France by the Société Aveyronnaise de Methanol.  The process uses wood as the raw material, and the gas retort, using steam and O₂ injection and operating at about 500°, yields a gas containing, by vol., 30% CO₂, 21% CO, 42% H₂, 3% CH₄, and 4% N₂.  CO₂ is removed by water washing at a pressure of 30 kg. per cm.², leaving a gas containing 30% CO and 60% H₂ with less than 10% of inert gases.  To produce MeOH the gas is passed at a pressure of 650 kg. per cm.² and a rate of 750 m.³ per hr. over a catalyst consisting of a mixture of Zn and Cr deposited on active charcoal.  The temperature in the catalyst tubes is about 425°.