The Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in the Liquid Phase

The hydrogenation of carbon monoxide by the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process [1] forms saturated and unsaturated compounds of the homologous hydrocarbon series. It permits the synthesis of hydrocarbons ranging from methane to high-melting paraffins with molecular weights above 20,000, depending on the catalyst, temperature, and type of process employed. By-products such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and esters are formed on a smaller scale. Small amounts of aromatic compounds are formed at high temperatures by secondary dehydrocyclization reactions from the primary hydrocarbons formed.