2180. ------. [MAYLAND, B. J.] (Phillips Petroleum Co.). Synthesis-Gas Preparation. United States Patent 2,546,606, Mar. 27, 1951; appl. filed May 10, 1948, Serial No. 26,161; 5 claims (Cl. 252-373). Chem. Abs., vol. 45, 1951, p. 5911.

Pure synthesis gas, whose CO:H₂ ratio is 1:2, is made in a pebble heater by burning natural gas or CH₄ and air in the top portion of the heater, thus heating the pebbles flowing downwardly therethrough; then contacting the pebbles with the CH₄ or natural gas in a lower portion of the heater so as to crack the gas and cause a deposit of C to form on the pebbles; and finally passing the C-carrying pebbles to a lower reforming zone where they are contacted with natural gas or CH₄ and steam which react with the C, producing the synthesis gas of desired ratio. 5 United States patents and 1 foreign patent cited.