This class provides for processes which include (a) the reaction
of hydrogen with carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or mixtures of
these carbon oxides (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis) to yield one or
more carbon compounds, e.g., hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, acids, ketones,
aldehydes, etc., or (b) the purification, separation, conversion
or treatment of one or more of the products resulting from the Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis, such as by saponification, oxidation, adsorption, solvent extraction,
etc.
SECTION II - NOTES TO THE CLASS DEFINITION
(1)
Note. Class 518 provides for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in
combination with separation and also for mere separation of the results
of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, except as shown below in the "Relationship
with Other Classes".
(2)
Note. This Class 518 provides for a process which includes
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis as well as making one or more reactants preliminary
thereto. The reactants (hydrogen, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide) may
be made separately or in admixture.
(3)
Note. Processes that include other reactants in addition to
hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or water will be classified with
the compound produced.
(4)
Note. For the purpose of purification or recovery of a Fischer-Tropsch
process product, Class 518 provides for any physical process required,
but only two chemical processes are provided for, i.e., hydrogenation
with gaseous hydrogen and formation of oximes of the oxygen containing
products.
Fuel and Related Compositions, Class 44 controls over Class 518 for Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis if the product is set forth to be useful as a liquid or
solid fuel and there is an additive present as required by Class
44.
Gas: Heating and Illuminating, Class 48 is superior to Class 518 for Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis when the result is set forth as being for heating or illumination.
Refrigeration, Class 518 controls classification over Class 62
for a process which includes both Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and
refrigeration. However, merely treating the product of such synthesis
by a Class 62 process is in Class 62.
Distillation: Processes, Separatory, Class 518 controls classification over Class 203
for processes which include both Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and distillation.
Separation of the results of such synthesis by distillation is in Class
203 when the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is not claimed.
Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, Class 204 controls classification for the combination of
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis followed by a Class 204 step and also
for treating the product of such synthesis when the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
is not claimed; however, Class 204 steps followed by Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis is in Class 518.
Compositions, Class 252,
subclass 373 , provides for processes of making compositions
of hydrogen and carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. These are called
synthesis gases and may be used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The
combination of making these synthesis gases and using for Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis is classified in Class 518.
Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product
or Process of Making, for a catalytic composition, per se, which may be used
in a process of this class and especially
subclasses 20+ for a process of regenerating or rehabilitating
a catalyst.
through 528, 530, 532-570 and 585, Synthetic Resins
and Natural Rubbers -- Part of the Class 520 Series; Chemistry:
Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or Proteins; Lignins or Reaction
Products Thereof; Organic Compounds -- Part of the Class 532-570
Series; and Chemistry, Hydrocarbons, Class 518 is superior to these classes when compounds
normally classified in them are formed by a Fischer-Tropsch reaction
or are separated from the reaction mixture by any physical process
or by one of the two chemical processes stated in (4) Note. However
claims which include other chemical processes to separate or form
compounds from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction mixture are classified
with the compound formed. Patents having both types of claims are
classified as originals in Class 518 and cross-referenced to the
appropriate compound class or classes.
WITH PRELIMINARY REACTION TO FORM HYDROGEN OR A CARBON OXIDE:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes which include a reaction to form hydrogen or a
carbon oxide prior to the Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 702. Water utilized in the preliminary reaction: Processes wherein
water is utilized in the preliminary reaction.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes wherein at least one reactant is treated prior
to the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, such as removing sulfur therefrom,
or processes wherein the recycle stream is treated prior to returning
to the reaction zone.
Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor:
Product or Process of Making, especially
subclasses 20+ for a process, per se, of regenerating a catalyst.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL OR REGULATION OF THE FISCHER-TROPSCH REACTION:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes wherein some means or method is employed to control
or regulate the reaction temperature.
GROUP IB METAL CONTAINING CATALYST UTILIZED FOR THE FISCHER-TROPSCH
REACTION (i.e., Cu, Ag, or Au):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes wherein a catalyst containing copper, silver,
or gold is utilized for the Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
GROUP VIB METAL CONTAINING CATALYST UTILIZED FOR THE FISCHER-TROPSCH
REACTION (i.e., Cr, Mo, or W):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes wherein a catalyst containing chromium, molybdenum,
or tungsten is utilized for the Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
GROUP VIII METAL CONTAINING CATALYST UTILIZED FOR THE FISCHER-TROPSCH
REACTION (i.e., Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, or Pt):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes wherein a catalyst containing iron, cobalt, nickel,
ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, or platinum is utilized for
the Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 715. Processes wherein a material containing lithium, sodium,
potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium,
or barium is utilized in any way during the Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 719. Processes wherein a metal, in addition to the iron, is utilized
in any form, e.g., as part of the catalyst, in a promoter or retarder,
etc.
Hydrogenation with gaseous hydrogen to purify or recover:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes which include hydrogenation utilizing gaseous
hydrogen to purify or recover the product(s) of the Fischer-Tropsch
reaction.
FORMING SALTS OR OXIMES OF OXYGEN CONTAINING COMPOUNDS
TO PURIFY OR RECOVER:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes which include forming salts or oximes of the oxygen-containing
compounds produced to purify or recover the products of the Fischer-Tropsch
reaction.
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