GB591989A - Improvements relating to the synthesis of motor fuel hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Abstract

Hydrocarbons of gasoline boiling range are prepared by passing hydrogen and carbon monoxide upwardly through a limited amount of powdered Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in a vertical reaction zone at a velocity of 1/2 -10ft./sec. so as to maintain the catalyst in fluidized condition, elevated temperature and pressure being maintained, allowing vaporous reaction products to pass to an expanded disengaging chamber where the velocity is reduced to cause gravitation of entrained catalyst into the reaction zone, purified products being recovered at the top, the temperature of the reactants being controlled by passing a cooling fluid continuously in heat exchange relationship with the catalyst. The apparatus described resembles that of Specification 568,913 wherein a coil surrounds the outer wall of the reactor and steam or water is circulated therethrough. Alternatively, a jacket, horizontal tubes or vertical coils may be provided. The preferred gas velocity is 1 1/2 -3ft./sec. with a catalyst of 90 per cent. less than 300 mesh, temperature 400 + 10 DEG F., pressure 5-150 p.s.i., and feed rate 0.2-1 parts by weight per unit weight of catalyst per hour, the feed being 1-3 mols H2 per mol of CO. Cobalt oxide on kieselguhr, iron, alone or on silica gel or alumina, with thoria or magnesia as promoters, are specified catalysts. Wax is periodically removed by treating the catalyst with hydrogen-containing or inert gas at 800 DEG F. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 568,913.ALSO:Hydrocarbons of gasoline boiling range are prepared by passing hydrogen and carbon monoxide upwardly through a limited amount of powdered Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in a vertical reaction zone at a velocity of 1/2 -10 ft./sec. so as to maintain the catalyst in fluidized condition, elevated temperature and pressure being maintained, allowing vaporous reaction products to pass to an expanded disengaging chamber where the velocity is reduced to cause gravitation of entrained catalyst into the reaction zone, purified products being recovered at the top, the temperature of the reactants being controlled by passing a cooling fluid continuously in heat exchange relationship with the catalyst. The apparatus described resembles that of Specification 568,913, wherein a coil surrounds the outer wall of the reactor and steam or water is circulated therethrough. Alternatively, a jacket, horizontal tubes or vertical coils may be provided. The preferred gas velocity is 1 1/2 -3 ft./sec. with a catalyst of 90 per cent less than 300 mesh, temperature 400 \sB 10 DEG F., pressure 5-150 p.s.i., and feed rate 0.2-1 parts by weight per unit weight of catalyst per hr., the feed being 1-3 mols. H2 per mol. of CO. Cobalt oxide on kieselguhr, iron, alone or on silica gel or alumina, with thoria or magnesia as promoters, are specified catalysts. Wax is periodically removed by treating the catalyst with hydrogen-containing or inert gas at 800 DEG F. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 568,913.