95.     ----------------. [ATWELL, H. V.] The Schmalfeldt Process for Making Synthetic Gas From Methane.  FIAT Final Rept. 1305, 1947, 23 pp.; PB 85,164.

                Translation of a document by H. Schmalfeldt in 1947, describing work done in the plant of Klecknerwerke A.-G., Castrop-Rausel, on the production of synthesis gas from CH₄-containing gases by noncatalytic reaction with steam and O₂.  In a pilot plant built in 1931, coke-oven gas was converted under a pressure of 23-24 atm. abs. with air enriched to 33% O₂.  CH₄ in the exit gas was less than 1%, and formation of soot was observed.  The maintenance of the refractory lining proved quite difficult.  A larger plant started in 1938 could not be operated until 1941 because of difficulties in getting materials, particularly refractory brick.  Results were not entirely satisfactory because of inadequate heat recovery and lack of facilities for purging unreacted gas between cycles.  Fischer-Tropsch residue gas and coke-oven gas were converted at a pressure of 8-9 atm. abs., with an O₂ consumption 30-40% above theoretical and only slight formation of soot.  The process can be recommended for large-scale commercial use.  O₂ consumption per m.³ of converted CH₄ will range 0.55-0.65 m.³ O₂ depending on conditions and quality of the plant.  At pressures of 20 atms. and above, C formation is more or less completely avoided.  If the apparatus is suitably constructed conversions of 90-95% can be obtained.

                ------------------.  See abs. 451, 452, 453.