2714. POWELL, A. R. (Koppers Co.). Catalytic Synthesis of Hydrocarbons. British Patent 638,087, May 31, 1950; appl. filed July 29, 1947. Chem. Abs., vol. 44, 1950, p. 8093.

CO is hydrogenated by passing a synthesis gas mixture containing CO: H₂=1:1 to 1:2 parts by volume into a synthesis catalyst bed, preheating the gas mixture entering the bed to a synthesis temperature, and adding enough H₂O to the gases passing through the catalyst bed to absorb the exothermic heat of the synthesis reaction by evaporation of the H₂O. When the process is operated with an Fe catalyst and a synthesis gas pressure between 20 and 30 atm. with a synthesis gas composed of approximately equal portions of CO and H₂ and a temperature of about 240° in the catalyst bed, the following equation corresponds very closely to the type of products made: 45 CO+48 H₂=3 C₈H₁₆+C₃H₆ +3 CH₄+15 CO₂+15 H₂O. When a Co catalyst and a synthesis gas pressure of approximately 10-15 atm. are used at a temperature of about 200° with a synthesis gas composed of about 1.75 parts H₂:1 part CO, the following products are formed: 40 CO+68 H₂=C₂₀H₄₂+C₈H₁₈+C₃H₈+3 CH₄+6 CO₂+28 H₂O. With the Fe catalyst approximately 62 B. t. u. are evolved per cu. ft. of gas; with the Co catalyst, 67 B. t. u. per cu. ft. Not more than 1% of liquid H₂O should leave the catalyst bed with the reaction products.

POWER-GAS CORP., LTD. See abs. 886.