2219.     MAYER, M., HENSELING, F., ALTMAYER, V., AND JACOBY, J.  [Gas Reactions.]  Jour. Gasbeleucht., vol. 52, 1909, pp. 166-171, 194-201, 238-245, 282-286, 305-313, 326-328; Chem. Zentralb., 1909, I, p. 1853; Chem. Abs., vol. 4, 1910, p. 2724.

        This work proceeds from the methods of Sabatier and Senderens for the preparation of CH₄ from H₂ and CO and from mixtures of CO₂ and H₂ with the aid of CO and Ni as catalyzers, thus:  CO+3H₂=CH₄+H₂O; CO₂+4H₂=CH₄+2H₂O; 2CO=C+CO₂.  These reactions were studied in detail, the most noteworthy result of which was the synthesis of CH₄ from its elements, C+2H₂=CH₄; Ni, Co, and Fe were the catalyzers used.  While Co brings about the union of C and H₂ almost as readily as Ni, yet with Fe only small amounts of CH₄ were obtained, which fact is explained by the oxidation of Fe by the oxides of C.  As for the form of C to be used, the finely divided grade obtained by decomposition of CO afforded the most rapid reaction.  From graphite, lampblack, and electrolytic C only small quantities of CH₄ were obtained.  Using the same catalyzers, further investigations were made with steam in place of H₂, to which the following water-gas reactions are applicable:  CO+H₂O=CO₂+H₂, C+2H₂O=CO₂+2H₂ and secondarily, CO₂+4H₂=CH₄+2H₂O.  The information so obtained was then considered in connection with illuminating gas, and possible technical applications with reference to the water gas process discussed.  Since gas reactions, in general, are limited by equilibrium, and their determination is possible from equilibrium constants, the thermal relations, and the specific heats of the substances according to thermodynamic formulas, the conditions of the synthesis of CH₄ were more closely studied.  Finally, it was demonstrated how, theoretically, by combining the conditions of equilibrium of CO₂ and CH₄ the quantitative relations of the equation CO₂+CH₄=2CO+2H₂ are developed.  If this last equation is combined with the expression of equilibrium CO₂+H₂=CO+H₂O, the equations for the synthesis of CH₄ result:  CO+3H₂=CH₄+H₂O and CO₂+4H=CH₄+2H₂O.