Standard Oil, 1954: CoalTL a "Matter of Record"

Catalytic improvement of hydrocarbon synthesis product
 
The enclosed United States Patent for Coal-to-Liquid conversion was issued to Standard Oil in 1954. 
 


However, in 1949, when Standard applied for the patent, they knew enough about CoalTL to, as in the following excerpts, say:
 
"United States Patent 2,686,195 - Hydrocarbon Synthesis
 
Date: August 10, 1954; Application: December 10, 1949
 
Inventor: Don McAdams, et. al.
 
Assignee: Standard Oil, Deleware
 
Abstract: ... The synthetic production of liquid hydrocarbons from gas mixtures containing various proportions of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is a matter of record ... . Most processes for synthesis of hydrocarbons from ... coal ... involve the production (of) CO and H2 which are then reacted ... ."