2015. LAUER, G. G., PASSINO, H. J., AND SEGESSER, J. R. (M. W. Kellogg Co.). Separation of Organic Compounds. United States Patent 2,516,126, July 25, 1950; appl. filed Mar. 2, 1948, Serial No. 12,524; 17 claims, (Cl. 260-450). Chem. Abs., vol. 45, 1951, p. 1155.

In Fischer-Tropsch synthesis there is obtained a hydrocarbon-rich phase containing oxygenated organic acid and nonacid compounds having at least 4 C atoms/mol. The acids are separated as their corresponding alkali salts by using at least 1 compound such as oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate of the alkaline earth metals, Co, Ba, Mg, in amount sufficient to convert all of the acids to a solution of their corresponding alkaline earth salts. In phase separation, the upper phase contains the nonacid oxygenated compounds and hydrocarbons and the lower phase the alkaline earth salts and the remaining nonacid oxygenated compounds and hydrocarbons. The lower phase is treated with enough alkali, such as NaOH or KOH, to convert the alkaline earth salts to their corresponding alkali salts and to form the hydroxide of the alkaline earth metal. The hydroxide is then separated by filtering or centrifuging. The lower phase is also treated with an aqueous solution of a H₂O-soluble alcohol in amount sufficient to absorb all of the alkali salts of organic acids present. Nonacid oxygenated compounds are extracted with a H₂O-soluble organic compound such as C₅-C₁₂ hydrocarbon. The 3 treating agents may be mixed or used in successive steps in any desired order. The treated lower phase material is phase separated. The upper phase contains the hydrocarbon treating agent and nonacid oxygenated compounds and hydrocarbons, and the lower phase alkali salts and aqueous solution of the alcohol treating agent. The hydrocarbon treating agent and the alcohol treating agent are stripped and reused. The alkali salts are recovered. 5 United States patents cited.