3268.     STEINBERGER, K. F.  [Raw Materials for the Production of Acetylene and Ethylene.]  Angew. Chem., vol. 19, B, No. 8, 1947, pp. 211-214.

        Important prewar source for the raw materials of C₂H₂ and C₂H₄ was the hydrogenation gases from the Fischer-Tropsch and the I. G. Farbenindustrie A.-G. hydrogenation processes.  The total amount was 650,000-660,000 tons per yr., of which the Fischer-Tropsch process contributed 80,000-90,000 tons.  The Fischer-Tropsch gases contained 35-40% olefins, mostly C₃ and C₄, while those from the I. G. Farbenindustrie A.-G. process were mostly saturated hydrocarbons.  In general, they contained about 18% CH₄, 11-12% C₂H₆, 12% C₃H₈, 5% C₄H₁₀ and 1% C₅H₁₂, 32-33% H₂, with small amounts of N₂, CO, CO₂ and H₂S.  these gases were processed by cracking in the electric arc, whereby, mainly C₂H₂ and some C₂H₄ were obtained, and by pyrolytic cracking of the saturated hydrocarbons, whereby, mainly, C₂H₄ was produced.  Cracking plants erected in Leuna, Holten, Heydebreck, and Moosburg had a capacity of 4,000 tons per yr. of C₂H₄.