PATENTS

       47.            ATWELL, H. V.  (The Texas Co.).  Catalytic Conversion.  United States Patent 2,553,398, May 15, 1951: appl. Filed Feb. 7, 1946, Serial No. 646,037: 5 claims (Cl. 260-449.6). Chem. abs., vol. 45, 1951, p. 6824.

Hydrocarbons and oxygenated organic compounds are synthesized from a mixture of CO and H₂ in a modification of the Fischer-Tropsch process.  These gaseous reactants containing suspended catalyst in powdered form or in the form of dust pass through a mass of fluidized, relatively coarse material confined within the reaction zone, the coarse material being relatively inert with respect to the reaction involved.  Although the coarse particles are fluidized, there is substantially no entrainment in the gases leaving the reactor, and it also assures a uniformly high rate of heat transfer from the mass of fluid and solids to the adjacent cooling surfaces.  Accordingly, a given weight of catalyst converts a much larger volume of synthesis gas/unit time than has been heretofore realized.  The catalyst particles are preferably particles within the range of about 5-50μ, and the coarse particles are within the range of about 150-450μ.  The catalyst powder may comprise about 0.1-1% by weight, of solid particles in the system.  A preferred catalyst is an Fe powder containing about 1-2% K₂O and 2-3% Al₂O₂.