PATENTS

1769.         1769.  JOHNSON, E. A. (Standard Oil Co. of Indiana).  Hydrocarbon Synthesis With Fluidized Catalyst Regeneration.  United States Patent 2,447,505, Aug. 24, 1948: appl. filed Apr. 13, 1944.  Serial No. 530,875; 1 claim (Cl. 260-449.6).  Chem. Abs., vol. 42. 1948, p. 8446.

Catalyst, preferably of the Co type, is continuously transferred from the synthesis zone to a smaller regeneration zone and back to the synthesis zone.  In each zone the catalyst is kept in a dense, turbulent phase.  The charge gas is an H₂:CO mixture of 2:1 mol. Ratio.  The regeneration gas is essentially H₂.  Its CO content should be low.  The gases leaving the regenerator may be recycled.  They may also, or alternately, be used for aeration and/or transfer of catalyst in the absence of CO.  Thus, partial stripping and regeneration can take place while the catalyst is passing through the cooler.  A H₂ deficiency in feed gas may be made up from the regeneration gases.  The synthesis and regeneration zones are separated.  This is done with baffles and seals when they are in the same chamber.  The operation of the seals depends on the relative densities of the fluidized catalyst in different parts of the system.  By correlating the effective heights of catalyst column with the densities regulated by controlled aeration, directions of catalyst flow may be established and flow rates may be controlled.  The fluidized mass of catalyst thus serves as a seal between the synthesis and regeneration zones.  5 United States patents cited.