425. CANDEA, C., AND KÜHN, J. [Decomposition of Methane and Petroleum Hydrocarbons With Steam.] Bull. sci. école polytech. Timisoara, vol. 5, 1934, pp. 225-232; Chem. Abs., vol. 29, 1935, p. 8302.

425. CANDEA, C., AND KÜHN, J. [Decomposition of Methane and Petroleum Hydrocarbons With Steam.] Bull. Sci. école Polytech. Timisoara, vol. 5, 1934, pp. 225-232; Chem. Abs., vol. 29, 1935, p. 8302.

Reaction of steam upon CH₄ and various petroleum fractions, including a distillation residue, was studied in quartz and steel tubes with various catalysts and a wide range of temperatures. Natural gas containing 96.4% CH₄ was almost completely transformed into H₂ (70%) and CO (20%) at 1,000° with an Fe-Ni-Mn catalyst, a ratio of steam to natural gas of 1:3, and time of contact 20 sec. Kerosine produced 30% H₂ and 70% CO under similar conditions, except that the time of contact was less. A very good illuminating gas was obtained from the petroleum residue at 800°-900°. This gas would also be suitable as fuel for gas engines.