1080.    FRANCIS, A. W., AND KLEINSCHMIDT, R. V.  Applications of Thermodynamics to Chemical Reactions of Petroleum Products.  Proc. Am. Petrol. Inst., 10^th Ann. Meeting, vol. 11, sec. III, 1930, pp. 93-99; Chem. Abs., vol. 24, 1930, p. 2369.

        It is shown that per volume of water gas reacted, considering H₂ and CO as equivalent, formation of CO₂ is accompanied by the largest free-energy decrease, and of H₂O by the next-largest decrease.  Of the hydrocarbons, CH₄ is formed with the largest free-energy decrease/volume of water gas reacted.  MeOH formation is accompanied by the smallest decrease.  However, formation of MeOH is accompanied by a larger decrease in volume than the formation of hydrocarbons from water gas, so that pressure may be used to direct the reaction to MeOH, as is done industrially in the presence of mixed oxide type catalysts.  Although the most pronounced effect of pressure in changing the character of the product from hydrocarbons to O-containing compounds may be due to a shift in the equilibrium concentrations of the components, changes in specific reaction rates of the various reactions involved may be accountable.