GB708953A - A process for the production of iron catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide - Google Patents

Abstract

An iron catalyst suitable for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is prepared by precipitating an aqueous solution of an iron salt, the acid radical of which is capable of forming a water soluble alkaline earth metal salt, with a mineral of the alkaline earth group which yields alkaline earth metal oxides on heating and which contains not more than 1 per cent. of silicates (calculated as SiO2 soluble in the precipitation solution, and thereafter precipitating the alkaline earth metal salts by the addition of a suitable alkali metal compound. Minerals such as marble having the requisite low silicate content may be used in finely divided form or if the silicate content is too high, the mineral is calcined optionally with the addition of iron nitrate to reduce the soluble silicate content according to examples (1) a crude dolomite is calcined at 1000 DEG C. and finely divided and then added to a solution of ferric nitrate and copper nitrate at 95 DEG C. A sodium carbonate solution is added and the mixture filtered and the precipitate washed free from nitrate ions. Up to 3 per cent. of potassium carbonate (calculated on the iron) may be added to the washed precipitate and the resulting catalyst dried at temperatures not exceeding 100 DEG C. The catalyst may be reduced before use with carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. Details of hydrocarbon synthesis from carbon monoxide and hydrogen using the above catalyst are given. (2) Marble containing less than 1 per cent. silicate is finely ground and added to a solution of ferric and cupric nitrates. Sodium carbonate solution is then added and the precipitate washed and dried at 80 DEG C.