Patent GB-364043-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to the catalytic treatment of hydrocarbons at high temperatures
IPC: B01J19/02
Filed: 1930-07-17
Abstract: Hydrocarbons are subjected to thermal treatment in chambers containing surfaces of an alloy of iron containing 9-30 per cent of aluminium, and which may contain up to 6 per cent of chromium. Alloys having 10-16 per cent of aluminium are preferred.  The alloys may be in the form of tubes, vessels, netting, helices, contact plates or liners, and their high electric resistance makes them suitable for internally heating the reaction vessel by electric current.  The alloys may be used in the following processes:--(1) The treatment of gaseous paraffins or olefines or gases containing them usually at temperatures between 550 DEG  and 1250 DEG  C., for their conversion to other hydrocarbons, chiefly aromatic, which are normally liquids of low boiling point.  For example, methane is passed through a tube of 5 mm. diameter made of an iron-aluminium alloy containing 12 per cent of aluminium, and the tube is so heated that the zone of highest temperature is at 1080 DEG  C., and the gas is passed through the tube at such a speed that the time in this zone is less than 1 second; the gases are reduced in temperature before leaving the tube, and the products are then condensed, whereby a crude oil is separated out.  (2) Gaseous olefines, e.g. ethylenes, or gases containing them are converted to liquid polymerization products by heating to a temperature between 350-550 DEG  C. under elevated pressure.  (3) Liquid hydrocarbons are cracked in the liquid or vapour phase at temperatures from 350-650 DEG  C., or more.ALSO:Hydrocarbons are subjected to thermal treatment in chambers containing surfaces of an alloy of iron containing 9-30 per cent of aluminium, and which may contain up to 6 per cent of chromium. Alloys having 10-16 per cent of aluminium are preferred.  The alloys may be in the form of tubes, vessels, netting, helices, contact plates or liners, and their high electric resistance makes them suitable for internally heating the reaction vessel by electric current.  The alloys may be used in the following processes:--(1) The treatment of gaseous paraffins or olefines or gases containing them usually at temperatures between 550-1250 DEG  C., for their conversion to other hydrocarbons, chiefly aromatic, which are normally liquids of low boiling point.  For example, methane is passed through a tube of 5 mm. diameter made of an iron-aluminium alloy containing 12 per cent of aluminium, and the tube is so heated that the zone of highest temperature is at 1080 DEG C., and the gas is passed through the tube at such a speed that the time in this zone is less than 1 second; the gases are reduced in temperature before leaving the tube, and the products are then condensed, whereby a crude oil is separated out.  (2) Gaseous olefines, e.g. ethylenes, or gases containing them are converted to liquid polymerization products by heating to a temperature between 350-550 DEG  C. under elevated pressure.  (3) Liquid hydrocarbons are cracked in the liquid or vapour phase at temperatures from 350-650 DEG  C., or more.