1016.    ---------------.  [Reduction of Carbon Monoxide to Methane in the Presence of Iron and Under Pressure.]  Brennstoff-Chem., vol. 4, 1923, pp. 193-197; Ges. Abhandl. Kenntnis Kohle, vol. 8, 1929, pp. 463-473; Chem. Abs., vol. 18, 1924, p. 349.

        Previous investigators have carried out the reduction of CO to CH₄, using finely divided Ni and Co as a catalyst at 380° in the presence of Fe at 500°-600°.  This work was undertaken to study the reduction of CO in contact with Fe under pressure.  The apparatus consisted of a heavy iron tube 90 cm. in length by 2.1 cm. inside diameter.  The tube was electrically heated.  The contact took place over a length of 30 cm.  The reduction was studied at 2-100 atm. pressure and at 400°-430°.  The gas used consisted essentially of CO and H₂.  At 2 atm. pressure only small amounts of CH₄ were formed.  At pressures of 45-55 atm. the highest percentage of CH₄ was formed.  The reaction may be considered to take place as follows:  CO+3H₂=CH₄+H₂O.  The H₂O formed then reacts with CO-CO+H₂O=CO₂+H₂.