1025.    -------------.  [Conversion of Methane Into Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide.]  Brennstoff-Chem., vol. 9, 1928, pp. 39-46; Ges. Abhandl. Kenntnis Kohle, vol. 9, 1930, pp. 583-602; British Chem. Abs., 1928, B, p. 322; Chem. Abs., vol. 22, 1928, p. 2652.

       Mixtures of CH₄ with CO₂ and CH₄ with coke-oven gas and coke-oven gas with water vapor were decomposed by various catalysts (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, and W) supported on clay, silica, and MgCO₃ or mixed with Al₂O₃.  Temperatures 840°-920° were used with various space velocities, throughput in cc. per hr. divided by catalyst volume in cc.; the best space velocity for decomposition of oven gas-steam mixtures was 800.  In no case was CH₄ completely decomposed.  An example of good conversion of an oven gas-CO₂ mixture at 860° is given by the following analyses of original gas and the products, respectively:  CO₂, 18.0, 1.4%; heavy hydrocarbons, 1.0, 0.0; O₂, 1.7, 0.2; CO, 5.l1, 33.2; H₂, 41.7, 56.6; CH₄, 19.6, 1.4; N₂, 12.9, 7.2.  The catalyst was Ni supported on silica.  Fe, Cu, Mo, and W were poor catalysts.  Co proved as good as Ni, contrary to literature.  Activity of Ni and Co was increased by addition of Al₂O₃.  Clay proved best as a carrier for active metals.