PATENTS

      60.    ------.  [ATWELL, H. V.]  (The Texas Co.).  Production of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen From Hydrocarbons.  United States Patent 2,632,690, Mar. 24, 1953; appl. Filed Jan. 2, 1948, Serial No. 66; 2 claims (Cl. 23-212). Chem. Abs., vol 47, 1953. p. 5667.

By using a continuous method of flow, heat liberated in the combustion zone is used for the endothermic reaction in the conversion zone.  The catalyst is in a fluidized fixed bed.  The powdered heat carrier passes through the fluidized catalyst effecting extremely rapid direct transfer of the heat from the heat carrier to both the reactants and the catalyst.  The gaseous hydrocarbon, such as CH₄, reacts with CO₂ and steam.  The temperature is preferably 1,800°-2,000° F., and the reactants are charged in the proportion of 4 mols CH₄: 3 mols steam: 1 mol CO₂.  This gives a products gas of CO: H₂=1:2.  The powdered heat carrier has an average particle size of <50μ. or smaller than the average particle size of the catalyst.

See also United States Patents 2,443,673 (abs. 54) and 2,448,290 (abs. 58).  1 literature ref. And 5 patents cited.