83. ----------------. Study of Catalytic Actions at Surfaces. X. The Interaction of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen as Conditioned by Nickel at Relatively Low Temperatures. A Practical Synthesis of Methane. Proc. Roy. Soc. (London), vol. 103A, 1923, pp. 25-34; Chem. Abs., vol. 17, 1923, p. 2220.

83. ----------------. [ARMSTRONG, E. F., AND HILDITCH, T. P.] Study of Catalytic Actions at Surfaces. X. The Interaction of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen as Conditioned by Nickel at Relatively Low Temperatures. A Practical Synthesis of Methane. Proc. Roy. Soc. (London), vol. 103A, 1923, pp. 25-34; Chem. Abs., vol. 17, 1923, p. 2220.

The action between CO and H₂ in the presence of Ni or a similar catalyst at temperatures below 300° is mainly 2CO+2H₂=CO₂+CH₄. The reaction is considered to go in 2 stages: (1) CO + H₂O = CO₂ + H₂; (2) the H₂ so formed with that already present causes the formation of CH₄CO+3H₂=CH₄+H₂O. No evidence was found for the intermediate formation of CH₂O or MeOH. CO is quite active also, and the change commences at a lower temperature than with Ni. By this method the large amount of CO in municipal gas supplies may be reduced and the content of CH₄ increased. Pure CH₄ may also be prepared by passing water gas over Ni several times, removing CO₂ from the gas each time, and fractionating the product at low temperatures.