Franz Fischer | |
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![]() Franz Fischer (1911) | |
Born | |
Died | 1 December 1947 | (aged 70)
Nationality | German |
Alma mater | University of Gießen |
Known for | Fischer–Tropsch process Fischer assay |
Awards | Melchett Medal (1936) Wilhelm Exner Medal (1936) |
Scientific career | |
Institutions | Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Coal Research |
Doctoral advisor | Karl Elbs |
Franz Joseph Emil Fischer (19 March 1877 in Freiburg im Breisgau – 1 December 1947 in Munich) was a German chemist. He was the founder and first director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Coal Research. He is known for the discovery of the Fischer–Tropsch process.[1]
In 1925, he and Hans Tropsch discovered the Fischer–Tropsch process. This allowed for the production of liquid hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen with metal catalyst at temperatures of 150–300 °C (302–572 °F).
In 1930, he and Hans Schrader developed the Fischer assay, a standardized laboratory test for determining the oil yield from oil shale to be expected from a conventional shale oil extraction.[2] He also worked with Wilhelm Ostwald and Hermann Emil Fischer.[3] In 1913, he became the Director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Coal Research in Mülheim.
He joined the NSDAP in 1933, and remained in office until his retirement in 1943.