GB258887A - Method of effecting catalytic reactions for the production of ammonia - Google Patents

Abstract

258,887. Lazote, Inc., (Assignees of Williams, R.). Sept. 24, 1925, [Convention date]. Methyl alcohol; oxygenated organic compounds.- Carbon monoxide is removed from hydrogen - containing gases by passage under pressure over a catalyst capable of forming oxygenated organic compounds such as methyl alcohol and then removing the latter by condensation while the gases are still under pressure. Preferably the pressure employed is that under which the resulting hydrogen-containing gas is to react. Catalytic substances mentioned comprise zinc, zinc and chromium, and zinc and copper; iron may also be employed if the formation of some methane is not deleterious. In condensing out the methyl alcohol &c., impurities such as water, methane and sulphur compounds are simultaneously removed. Any carbon monoxide remaining in the gases is eliminated by passage under pressure over a methaneforming catalyst or through one of the known absorbents. In this manner, up to 10 per cent of carbon monoxide present in hydrogen-containing gases can be removed, whilst carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons such as methane may also be transformed into condensable products by the same process. Oily products and higher alcohols are produced when the gas speed is reduced, the temperature increased, or alkali oxides added to the catalyst. According to the example, a purified mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen in the volume proportions of 1 3 and containing 2 per cent of carbon monoxide is compressed by pump 2 to 900 atmospheres and conducted through a catalytic apparatus 3 containing a heated catalyst comprising zinc oxide prepared by igniting precipitated zinc carbonate, or a mixture of zinc and chromium oxides obtained by adding ammonia to a solution of zinc and chromium nitrates. The products pass through a water-cooled condenser 4, where the oxygenated compounds in which the impurities are dissolved separate out and are collected in the receiver 5. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) includes also an example according to which hydrogen containing 2 per cent of carbon monoxide and free from sulphur compounds is compressed by the pump 2 to 150 atmospheres and then passed as before through the catalytic apparatus 3 and condenser 4. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.