Patent GB-473932-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the manufacture and production of valuable hydrocarbons and their derivatives containing oxygen from carbon monoxide and hydrogen
IPC: B65B9/08
Filed: 1936-11-26
Abstract: The conversion of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons or their oxygen derivatives such as alcohols is effected in the presence of a catalyst prepared, prior to the conversion, by thermal treatment of an iron compound at above 600 DEG  C. but below the melting or sublimation point of the compound or of the resulting iron, and by a treatment with reducing gases. Suitable iron compounds are oxides, or compounds such as nitrates, hydroxides or carbonates which are converted to oxides on heating if necessary up to 1000 DEG  C. or above.  Preferably, precipitated hydroxides or oxides obtained, e.g. by decomposition of the nitrates are employed.  The thermal treatment may be combined with the reducing treatment by effecting it in the presence of hydrogen-containing gases, or the iron compound may be heated above 600 DEG  C. in non-reducing gases, e.g. nitrogen or air, and then treated with reducing gases, e.g. at lower temperatures such as 300--500 DEG  C.  The thermal treatment may be carried out in one or more stages at any pressure, e.g. up to 100 atm. or more. Activating additions such as aluminium oxide or hydroxide, silica, kieselguhr, or compounds of Cu, Ti, Mn, W, Mo, Co, Th, Ce, Zr and other rare earths may be employed.  Alkali or alkaline-earth metal oxides, hydroxides or carbonates may influence the formation of hydrocarbons.  The conversion reaction is effected above 150, preferably at 200--450 DEG  C., and elevated pressures up to 100 atm. or more.  In an example, CO and H2 in the ratio of 1 : 2 is led at 220--320 DEG  C. and 12 atm. over a catalyst formed by heating precipitated iron hydroxide + 5 per cent of aluminium hydroxide to 850 DEG  C. in a current of hydrogen.  Gaseous, liquid, and solid hydrocarbons are mainly formed.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises the use of catalysts prepared by thermal treatment of a metal compound, preferably a compound of a heavy metal, particularly of Group 8, at such a high temperature above 500 DEG  C. but below the melting or sublimation point, and for such a time that sintering takes place, in combination with a reducing treatment.  Compounds of cobalt and nickel are specified. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:The conversion of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons or their oxygen derivatives such as alcohols is effected in the presence of a catalyst prepared, prior to the conversion, by thermal treatment of an iron compound at above 600 DEG  C., but below the melting or sublimation point of the compound or of the resulting iron, and by a treatment with reducing gases. Suitable iron compounds are oxides, or compounds such as nitrates, hydroxides or carbonates which are converted to oxides on heating if necessary up to 1000 DEG C. or above.  Preferably, precipitated hydroxides or oxides obtained, e.g., by decomposition of the nitrates are employed.  The thermal treatment may be combined with the reducing treatment by effecting it in the presence of hydrogen-containing gases, or the iron compound may be heated above 600 DEG  C. in nonreducing gases, e.g. nitrogen or air, and then treated with reducing gases, e.g. at lower temperatures such as 300--500 DEG  C.  The thermal treatment may be carried out in one or more stages at any pressure, e.g. up to 100 atm. or more. Activating additions such as aluminium oxide or hydroxide, silica, kieselguhr, or compounds of Cu, Ti, Mn, W, Mo, Cr, Th, Ce, Zr and other rare earths may be employed.  Alkali or alkaline-earth metal oxides, hydroxides or carbonates may influence the formation of hydrocarbons.  In an example, the catalyst is formed by heating precipitated iron hydroxide + 5 per cent of aluminium hydroxide to 850 DEG  C. in a current of hydrogen.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises the use of catalysts prepared by thermal treatment of a metal compound, preferably a compound of a heavy metal, particularly of Group 8, at such a high temperature above 500 DEG  C., but below the melting or sublimation point, and for such a time that sintering takes place, in combination with a reducing treatment.  Compounds of cobalt and nickel are specified.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.