3001. ------. [RUHRCHEMIE A. G.] Pretreatment of Catalyst for Hydrocarbon Synthesis. British Patent 678,963, Sept. 10, 1952. Chem. Abs., vol. 47, 1953, p. 6122.

This invention describes a process for the pretreatment of an Fe catalyst suitable for hydrocarbon synthesis from CO and H₂, in which the catalyst is pretreated in a static layer 100 cm. thick with a gas having a linear velocity of 50-500 cm. per sec. If a catalyst is reduced with a gas mixture of 3 parts H₂ and 1 part N₂ at a gas velocity of 140 cm. per sec. At 300° for 90 min., the catalyst has a reduction value that corresponds to 40% free Fe. When a catalyst pretreated in this manner is used for the synthesis of water gas at a load of 100 l. of gas per 1. of catalyst per hr. and 10 kg. per cm.² pressure, a conversion of 65% is obtained at 209°. The CH₄ formation is 6%. If the same catalyst is reduced in the usual manner, it gives a conversion of 60% at 215°. The CH₄ formation then is 7-8%.