Patent GB-598041-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the synthesis of hydrocarbons
IPC: C07C1/06
Filed: 1945-08-29
Abstract: Hydrocarbon oils are synthesized from CO and H2 using, in a first stage, a powdered hydrogenation catalyst in fluidized form, i.e., as a dense suspension in the synthesis gases, and limiting the contact time to prevent substantial formation of hydrocarbons liquid at the operating conditions, the products then being contacted with a stationary bed of hydrogenation catalyst at reaction conditions to yield liquid products. Suitable catalysts are cobalt + thoria or magnesia on a carrier such as silica gel or kieselguhr, and iron promoted by alkali. Reaction conditions are generally 350-700 DEG F., up to 350 p.s.i., and a throughput of 0.5-25 vols. CO/lb. catalyst/hr. in the first stage, and 100-1,000 vols. of gas/vol. of catalyst/hr. in the second.  The catalyst composition may be different in the two stages.  The synthesis gas is passed upwards through reactor 1 containing cobalt catalyst of 100-400 mesh of which a substantial part may be less than 20 microns, the gas velocity being controlled between 0.25-5ft./sec. to give a dense suspension. Above level L, the concentration falls, and remaining catalyst is removed in <PICT:0598041/III/1> separators 3 and returned by dip pipe 7.  Cooling fluid enters by manifolds M, passes through tubes P, and exits by manifolds M2. Reaction gases are scrubbed in 10 to remove traces of catalyst, cooled in 14, freed from water and hydrocarbons separating in 15, and passed to any of reactors 2 containing catalyst tubes t and cooled by liquid circulated by pipes 4, 5.  The "fluidized" reactor may alternatively comprise tubes of 3-4 inches diameter and a total length of 400-1,000.  Catalyst may be added in incremental amounts at subsequent points in the reaction path to effect control.  A large number of short tubes may be assembled in one shell connected in series by return bends, and a number of such units may be connected in parallel.  The fixed bed reactor may comprise a number of thin beds, e.g., tubes or annular elements containing catalyst, with separate control for cooling medium, assembled in a vertical tower.  Periodic washing with hydrocarbon oil to de-wax may be effected.ALSO:<PICT:0598041/IV/1> Hydrocarbon oils are synthesized from CO and H2 using, in a first stage, a powdered hydrogenation catalyst in fluidized from, i.e. as a dense suspension in the synthesis gases, and limiting the contact time to prevent substantial formation of hydrocarbons liquid at the operating conditions, the products then being contacted with a stationary bed of hydrogenation catalyst at reaction conditions to yield liquid products.  Suitable catalysts are cobalt and thoria or magnesia on a carrier such as silica gel or kieselguhr, and iron promoted by alkali.  Reaction conditions are generally 350-700 DEG  F., up to 350 p.s.i., and a throughput of 0.5-25 vols. CO/lb. catalyst/hr. in the first stage, and 100-1000 vols. of gas/vol. of catalyst/hr. in the second.  The catalyst composition may be different in the two stages. The synthesis gas is passed upwards through reactor 1 containing cobalt catalyst of 100-400 mesh of which a substantial part may be less than 20 microns, the gas velocity being controlled between 0.25-5 ft./sec. to give a dense suspension.  Above level L, the concentration falls, and remaining catalyst is removed in separators 3 and returned by dip pipe 7.  Cooling fluid enters by manifolds M, passes through tubes P and exits by manifolds M2. Reaction gases are scrubbed in 10 to remove traces of catalyst, cooled in 14, freed from water and hydrocarbons separating in 15, and passed to any of reactors 2 containing catalyst tubes t and cooled by liquid circulated by pipes 4, 5.  The "fluidized" reactor may alternatively comprise tubes of 3-4 inches diameter and a total length of 400-1000 feet.  Catalyst may be added in incremental amounts at subsequent points in the reaction path to effect control.  A large number of short tubes may be assembled in one shell connected in series by return bands, and a number of such units may be connected in parallel.  The fixed bed reactor may comprise a number of thin beds, e.g. tubes or annular elements containing catalyst, with separate control for cooling medium, assembled in a vertical tower.  Periodic washing with a hydrocarbon oil to de-wax may be effected.