Lower molecular weight hydrocarbon formation in an open flow system by Fischer Tropsch reaction

A Fischer Tropsch type mechanism has been proposed for the synthesis of organic compounds in the primitive solar system. The evidence for hydrocarbon formation, especially those of higher molecular weight, under simulated conditions of the early solar nebula has been presented (Studier et al., 1968, 1972; Gelpi et al., 1970). In this paper, we report studies on the formation of specifically the lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. By using an open flow reaction system and two closed systems, several factors which may affect the production of these compounds have been examined.