PATENT

3713. ----- SUMERFORD, S. D., AND BUCHMANN, F. J.  (Standard Oil Development Co.).  [Synthesis of Hydrocarbons and Oxygenated Compounds From Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen.]  French Patent 968,691, Dec. 1, 1950; appl. filed July 2, 1948.  Chem. Zentralb., 1951, I, p. 1825.

Synthesis is performed in the presence of a powdered, fluidized, Fe catalyst.  It is first passed through a pretreatment zone before being worked up in the reaction zone.  The reaction is carried out under a pressure of > 24.5 atm.  The partial pressure of H₂ in the pretreatment zone is 10.5-18.9 atm. and in the reaction zone 4.9-11.9 atm.  A high ratio of H₂:CO is first maintained and later set at most H₂: CO=2:1.  The hydrocarbon mixture obtained has an octane no. 60-90.  in addition oxygenated compounds such as ethyl alcohol are obtained.