988. HENDRICKSEN, W. E. (Hydrocarbon Research, Inc.). Catalytic Synthesis of Hydrocarbons. United States Patent 2,449,775, Sept. 21, 1948; appl. filed Aug. 24, 1946, Serial No. 692,938; 9 claims (Cl. 260-449.6). Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948, p. 9123.

Patent Abstracts

988. HENDRICKSEN, W. E. (Hydrocarbon Research, Inc.). Catalytic Synthesis of Hydrocarbons. United States Patent 2,449,775, Sept. 21, 1948; appl. filed Aug. 24, 1946, Serial No. 692,938; 9 claims (Cl. 260-449.6). Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948, p. 9123.

Substantially pure Fe is alloyed with 0.2% by weight of Te and ground to a powder passing a 200-mesh screen, about 65% passing a 325-mesh screen. Approximately 1% by weight of K₂O and 1% of Al are chemically precipitated upon the powder, and the mass is dried. The powder is charged into a reaction vessel and subjected for 48 hr. to the passage of synthesis gas (31% CO. 62% H₂, 4% CH₄, 2% CO₂, and the rest N₂). The temperature is 625º F., and the pressure 200 p. s. i. The linear velocity of the feed gas is 1.5 ft. per sec. After the initial conditioning period of 48 hr., the catalyst assumes a condition of settled operation. Contact time is held at 10 sec. The product gases are collected and passed through a condenser operating at 70º F. The hydrocarbon layer consists of hydrocarbons boiling in the gasoline range in a yield exceeding 65% on the basis of CO. The gaseous fraction consists of CO₂, normally gaseous hydrocarbons, H₂, and a small amount of unreacted CO. The total amount of moisture condensed over any selected period of operation is greater on a molar basis than the amount of CO₂ in the gaseous products recovered, usually amounting to at least 3 molar parts for each molar part of CO₂. Similar results are obtained with an Fe-Te catalyst prepared from an alloy containing 0.2% by weight Te and about 2% by weight C, cast under conditions of slow cooling. The conditions of operation are otherwise identical. The catalyst may also be used in fixed-bed operation. Metals from the Fe group other than Fe may be used. 4 United States patents cited.