GB715043A - Process for the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide - Google Patents

Abstract

The catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to yield products containing at least 30 per cent of oxygen-containing compounds, particularly alcohols, is effected at a pressure above 5, generally at 10-70 atmospheres, with a fixed iron catalyst of a particle size not greater than 2, preferably 0.5-1.9 mm., and a size range not greater than 1 mm., said catalyst being a fused, sintered or precipitated iron catalyst which, after reduction, contains more than 60 per cent of the iron in the free state and which has an alkali content, calculated as K2O, of at least 5 parts per 100 parts of iron. A preferred catalyst of this type p is described in Specification 714,839. Space velocity may be 10-1000 or more 1./1./hour. The gases may be passed up through the catalyst. Precipitated catalysts or those prepared by decomposition of, for example, nitrates, may be moulded to size while fused or sintered catalysts may be crushed and screened. Reduction may be effected at 200-350 DEG C. with high gas velocities, e.g. 60-100 cm./sec. In examples, catalysts containing 100 parts iron, 5 copper, 10 kieselguhr and 10 calcium oxide + 8.5 sodium carbonate (as K2O) or 5 potassium carbonate are moulded to different sizes and reduced till 80 per cent of the iron is present as free metal. The improvement in catalyst life and yield of oxygenated products at lower synthesis temperatures with catalysts according to the invention is illustrated.ALSO:The catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide is effected with a fixed iron catalyst of a particle size not greater than 2, preferably 0.5-1.9 mm., and a size range not greater than 1 mm., said catalyst being a fused, sintered or precipitated iron catalyst which, after reduction, contains more than 60 per cent. of the iron in the free state and which has an alkali content, calculated as K2O, of at least 5 parts per 100 parts of iron. A preferred catalyst of this type is described in Specification 714,839. Precipitated catalysts or those prepared by decomposition of, for example, nitrates, may be moulded to size while fused or sintered catalysts may be crushed and screened. Reduction may be effected at 200-350 DEG C. with high gas velocities, e.g. 60-100 cm./sec. In examples, catalysts containing 100 parts iron, 5 copper, 10 kieselguhr, and 10 calcium oxide + 8.5 sodium carbonate (as K2O) or 5 potassium carbonate are moulded to different sizes and reduced till 80 per cent. of the iron is present as free metal. The improvement in catalyst life and yield of oxygenated products at lower synthesis temperatures with catalysts according to the invention is illustrated.