GB500264A - Improvements in the manufacture of hydrocarbons by reaction between carbon monoxide and hydrogen - Google Patents

Abstract

500,264. Hydrocarbon synthesis; catalysts. DREYFUS, H. Aug. 5, 1937, No. 21623. [Class 2 (iii)] [Also in Group III] Hydrocarbons are produced by the catalytic reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the absolute pressure in the reaction zone being normally above 0À5 atmos. but periodically reduced to below 0À5 atmos. Reaction may be effected at about atmospheric pressure or above until the activity of the catalyst decreases, the pressure then being reduced to 0À25-0À1 atmos. or below until the catalyst recovers, the flow of reaction gases being either continued or interrupted. In the latter case, a stream of inert gases or vapours, e.g. nitrogen or steam, is preferably maintained. The catalysts, apparatus, temperatures and other conditions of working are those described in Specification 496,292. In examples: (1) carbon monoxide with twice its volume of hydrogen and with or without 3 times its volume of steam or carbon dioxide is passed at 1 atmos. over a cobaltthoria catalyst at 180‹ C. When after some hours the proportion of hydrocarbons in the exit gases falls appreciably the pressure is reduced to 0À1 atmos., usually for a relatively short time, to reactivate the catalyst. Most of the hydrocarbons are condensed from the exit gases which are recycled with fresh reactants; (2) reaction is effected as in (1) using steam as diluent, the flow of reactant gases being interrupted and only steam passed during the activating period. Specification 465,157, [Group III], also is referred.