901. ------. [GUNNESS, R. C.] (Standard Oil Co. of Illinois). Synthesizing Hydrocarbons. United States Patent 2,347,682, May 2, 1944. Chem. Abs., vol. 39, 1945, p. 177.

Patent Abstracts

Normally gaseous hydrocarbons, preferably natural gas are first freed from H₂S and organic S compounds by scrubbing with a suitable solvent, such as monoethanolamine or triethanolamine following by scrubbing with a strong caustic solution. The desulfurized gas is mixed with CO₂ to obtain a H : C : O ratio of 4 : 1 : 1. The mixture is brought into contact with a reforming catalyst. (I) of metal oxides of VIII group of the periodic table, unsupported or supported on the commonly used carriers. I is preferably a mixture of oxides of Ni, Fe, an Mn with the proportions of 1 : 1 : 0.5. The temperature of this operation is 1,400°-1,650° F. with pressure from atmospheric to 150 lb. Per sq. in. or higher and contact time of 10-30 sec. The product consists chiefly of H₂ and CO in proportion of 2:1. This so-called synthesis gas is piped to a reactor where the bulk density of the suspended catalyst is great enough and the gas velocity low enough to maintain a dense opaque phase of suspended catalyst and yet prevent its settling out of the gases, preferably at 1-40 lb per cu. Ft., with a gas velocity of 0.5-1.5 ft. per sec. The temperature is kept at 325°-395° F. for maximum liquid yields. The product is cycled to a settling zone provided with a plurality of centrifugal separators, where the catalyst is removed partly by settling and partly by centrifuging. The gaseous reaction product is further stripped of the catalyst by passing through electrostatic separators and steam. The cleaned gas is fractionated or the C₃ and C₄ hydrocarbons separated by an absorption system. Describes apparatus.