GB438893A - Improvements in the manufacture and production of iron carbonyl - Google Patents

Abstract

Iron carbonyl is obtained by reacting carbon monoxide or gases containing it at elevated temperature and preferably at elevated pressure on materials containing iron and sulphur which have been obtained by a fusion method and which are free or practically free from nickel. The initial fusion products may contain other heavy metals such as copper, cobalt, or molybdenum. The process may be carried out in the way described in Specification 394,906. If the p materials have a low sulphur content, moderate pressures and temperatures may be employed. If high temperatures are employed, the decomposition of the carbon monoxide may be counteracted by the presence of non-metal sulphides or arsenides. The exclusion of water is preferable. According to examples: (1) a granular product obtained by fusing scrap iron with pyrites is treated with carbon monoxide at 200--250 DEG C., and 200 atmospheres pressure for 6--8 hours to produce iron carbonyl, the residue being fused again with scrap iron and re-treated; (2) a granular product obtained by fusing scrap iron with copper sulphide, a crude copper matte containing iron, a product obtained by fusing scrap iron with cobalt sulphide, or a crude cobalt matte are treated with carbon monoxide as described in example (1); (3) incompletely roasted pyrites is fused in a reducing manner, granulated in water and treated with carbon monoxide at 180--220 DEG C. and 200 atmospheres pressure for 8 hours, the carbon monoxide being employed in a cycle. When employing cobalt containing materials as in example 2 the iron carbonyl may contain some cobalt carbonyl which may be separated by distillation.