PATENTS

3330.   ------.  [SENSEL, E. E., AND BECK, R. A.]  Hydrogenation of Carbon Monoxide.  United States Patent 2,437,051, Mar. 2, 1948; appl. filed Mar. 24, 1944, Serial No. 528,004; 2 claims (Cl. 260-449.6).  Chem. Abs., vol. 42, 1948, p. 3933.

When reacting CO and H₂ in contact with a catalyst, the yield of relatively unsaturated liquid hydrocarbons can be increased by carrying out the process at a temperature range 392°-450° F. and at pressures of atmosphere and above, the catalyst consisting of a major proportion of metallic Co in admixture with ThO₂ and with an amount of Na₂CO₃ corresponding to about 0.55-2.85% of Na based on the weight of the Co and deposited on a siliceous support.  The method may be varied within wide limits, including the proportions of CO and H₂, reaction pressure, space velocity, etc., since the effect of the addition of the alkaline metal compound apparently is independent of variables other than temperature.  Increasing the amount of a Na₂CO₃ above the lower limit raises the optimum reaction temperature and above the range specified reduces the yields of liquid hydrocarbons at all temperatures.