PATENT

3199. -----. [RUHRCHEMIE, A.G.] Synthesis of Hydrocarbons.  British Patent 502,771, Mar. 24, 1939. p. 6872.

Catalytic conversion of CO and H₂ into mainly liquid or solid hydrocarbons in apparatus comprising cooling tubes and heat-conducting metal sheets disposed thereon is effected at an elevated pressure corresponding approximately to the vapor pressure of the cooling agent flowing through the tubes.  The walls of the tubes need not be resistant to pressure, and cost is therefore reduced.  Thus, a gas consisting of CO and H₂ in the ratio 1:2 is passed under 11atm. pressure through a furnace comprising rows of cooling tubes on which sheets of heat-conducting metal, traversed by the tubes, are disposed perpendicularly at about 10 mm. Intervals, a Co catalyst activated with Th filling the interspaces; H2O at 186° and 11 atm. flows through the cooling tubes so that the reaction temperature need not exceed 187°, the exit gases are cooled to condense H₂O, benzine, and oils, and are treated with active C to remove lower boiling hydrocarbons.

See also French Patent 822,636 (abs. 3200).