PATENTS

       54.       ------.  [ATWELL, H. V.]  (The Texas Co.).  Method of Effecting Catalytic Conversions.  United States Patent 2,443,673, June 22, 1948; appl. Filed May 3, 1944.  Serial No. 533,901: 12 claims (Cl. 196-52).  Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948. p. 9155.

This invention relates particularly to a method for effecting 2 separate catalytic reactions simultaneously in a common reaction space, such as the conversion of CO with H₂ to produce liquid hydrocarbons and the isomerization of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, particularly those formed in the synthesis reaction.  The process is carried out in a reaction space filled with either a fixed or a fluid catalyst effective for isomerization through which is passed a stream of heated vaporized olefins and simultaneously a stream of CO and H₂ together with a suspension of a hydrogenation catalyst in a carrier fluid: thus effecting simultaneous isomerization of the olefins and conversion of CO and H₂ to normally liquid hydrocarbons.  The hydrogenation catalyst may comprise either Co, Fe, or Ni promoted by the oxides of Th, Mg, U, V on a support of silica gel, and the carrier fluid may be the higher boiling fraction of the hydrocarbon products produced in the process.  The isomerization catalyst may consist of precipitated hydrated silica and a hydrated oxide from the group consisting of precipitated Al₂O₃ or ZrO₂.  The flow of vapors, gases, and suspended catalyst is downward, and the hydrocarbon products of reaction are drawn off in vapor phase from the bottom of the reactor.