PATENTS

      1554.  ------.  [I. G. FARBENINDUSTRIE, A. G.]  [Separating Mixtures of Alcohols and Hydrocarbons.]  German Patent Appl. I 73,572.  OZ 13,783, filed Nov. 11, 1942 (Cl. IV d-12 o).  FIAT Reel 168, frames 7,707-7,709: PB 68,623; Meyer Transl. PC-S-II, Fischer-Tropsch, vol. 6, chap. 178, 1949, p. 44.

            In separating the high-molecular alcohols from their mixtures with hydrocarbons, obtained in the conversion of CO with H₂ on Fe catalysts at medium pressure, the mixture is dissolved in a solvent such as petroleum ether or light benzine.  The solution is then caused to flow over an adsorbent material, such as silica gel or alumina, that has an affinity for the alcohols.  The absorbent is washed with some of the solvent and the alcohols removed by treatment with superheated steam or with hot gases.  A raw material containing 48% alcohols and 52% saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, contained after treatment only 4% alcohols.  Addition to German Patent Appl. I 72,813 (abs. 1564).