GB337014A - Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of oxygenated organic compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

337,014. Dreyfus, H. July 24, 1929. Oxygenated organic compounds such as ethanol. acetic acid, acetaldehyde, methylacetate and higher homologues are produced from oxides of carbon and hydrogen in the presence of catalysts consisting of or comprising ferrites, ferrates, cobalites or cobaltates, especially of alkali and alkaline earth metals, and of aluminium, preferably at 200‹-600‹ C., and especially at 250‹- 350' C., and under 50-500 or more atmospheres. The reaction gases may be coke oven, producer or water gas, and may wholly or in part be replaced by oxygenated organic compounds synthesized therefrom, such as methanol or ethanol. In this modification, the methanol or other compound may be prepared in a preliminary operation by passing gases containing carbon monoxide or dioxide, or both, and hydrogen over zinc oxide or basic chromate, or other suitable catalyst. Alternatively, compounds capable of yielding methyl alcohol, such as methyl formate or acetate, or dimethyl ether may be used. Methane may wholly or in part replace the hydrogen, and nitrogen may also be present. The catalysts may be employed in admixture or association with zinc, magnesium, calcium, aluminium, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten or uranium, or a mixture thereof, either as metals, oxides or other compounds. Copper may be present. Apparatus made of copper, of steel lined therewith, or of steel containing molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt or nickel may be employed.