PATENT

3743. ----- [TEXACO DEVELOPMENT CORP]  Synthesis Gas Containing Hydrogen.  British Patent 649,645, Jan. 31, 1951.  Chem.. Abs., vol. 45, 1951, p. 5912.

Hydrocarbon consisting essentially of CH₄ is reacted with O₂ in the absence of steam and a catalyst at 1,093°-1,427° in a reaction zone with the ratio of interior surface to volume of about 0.65.  The CH₄ is preferably preheated to about 649° without cracking and is charged at the rate of 1,000-3,000 cu. ft. per hr. per cu. ft. reaction space.  The O₂ is separately preheated to about 427° or higher and is charged to the reactor at such a rate that the primary reaction occurs with a substantially nonluminous flame.  The products from the reactor consist principally of CO and H₂, about 5 mol. % or less H₂O less than 2 mol. % CO₂, about 5 mol. % CO₂ and not over 4-5 mol. % CH₄.  The gas contains less than 1 gm. suspended C per 1,000 Cu. ft. standard gas.  Preferably 95% O₂ should be used.