GB625841A - An improved process for the catalytic manufacture of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0625841/III/1> In a process for synthesising hydrocarbons or oxygenated hydrocarbons by contacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a reaction zone in the presence of a powdered iron or iron on kieselguhr catalyst maintained in a dense fluid mass in the reactant gases at elevated temperature and superatmospheric pressure, the contaminated catalyst is conveyed to a separate hydrogenation zone, is maintained therein as a dense fluid bed or " aerated " suspension at at least 900 DEG F. and atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure for a sufficient time, e.g. 15 mins., to remove at least 80 per cent of the contaminants, and is returned to the reaction zone. The catalyst is removed from dense phase reactor 1 through standpipe 50, having fluidising inlets, is admixed with hydrogen-containing gas which may be preheated, and passed into dense phase hydrogenator 65 through foraminous grid 67. Volatile products are withdrawn at 70, while catalyst is returned by lines 72, 73 to the reactor 1. The hydrogen-containing gas and contaminated catalyst may be introduced separately into the hydrogenator 65, wherein the pressure should be the same as that in reactor 1. A conventional method of operating the catalytic synthesis process is described. Specification 587,456 is referred to.