PATENT

3879.  WATTS, R.N. (Standard Oil Development Co.).  [Catalysts for Hydrocarbon Synthesis From Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen.]  French Patent 961,419, May 11, 1950; appl. filed Feb. 18, 1948, in United States, Apr. 2, 1947.  Chem. Zentralb., 1950, II, p. 2270.

Catalyst consists of Fe balls, the core of which is metallic Fe and the surface Fe oxide.  To produce the balls, pure melted Fe in the form of a thin round band is sprayed by means of a spray pistol through a combustible atmosphere of O₂ and C₆H₆ at a cettain distance, about 90cm., at an angle of 30° into H2O with the formation of Balls.  The catalyst balls consist of 74% Fe₃O₄ and 26% Fe.  They are activated by spraying with a solution of 17.3 gm.  K₂CO₃·1.5H₂O in 20 cc. H₂O.  C_3- and C_4-hydrocarbons are mainly formed with the dried catalyst.