PATENTS

       48.       ------.  [ATWELL, H. V.]  (The Texas Co.). Catalytic Conversion of Gaseous Reactants to Normally Liquid Carbonaceous Compounds.  United States Patent 2,409,235, Oct. 15, 1946: appl. Filed Dec. 18, 1943, Serial No. 514,768; 14 claims (Cl. 260-676).  Chem. Abs., vol. 41, 1947, p.

Two steps of the conversion process are carried out in separate reaction zones.  In the 1^st step. CO is brought into contact with a solid Co, Fe, or Ni catalyst at 350°-425° F. and a carbide results: 2CO+2CO→CO₂C+CO₂.   Then the catalyst is passed to the 2^nd zone where it is treated with H₂ at 200°-400° F. to decompose the carbide.  The circulation of catalyst is continuous.  Co₂ from the 1^st stage is discharged and may be reduced to CO by contact with C or may be reacted with CH₄ to produce CO and H₂ to be reused in the process.  The CH₄ used includes that obtained by separation from the hydrocarbon products.  Instead of CH₄, a CH₄ fraction may be used.  The gaseous hydrocarbons used for this purpose may be CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, C₄H₃0, or a mixture.  The use of such hydrocarbons is though to involve adsorption of the hydrocarbons on the surface of the catalyst to form CH₂ groups.  These groups are hydrogenated in the 2^nd stage.  This adsorption of hydrocarbons on the surface of the catalyst may be carried out under relatively high pressure, 1,000-5,000 p. s. i., whereas the subsequent hydrogenation step may be carried out at a relatively low pressure.  A feature of the process is synthesis of hydrocarbons without the formation of H₂O.