1793. ---------------. [KLYUKVIN, N. A. AND KLYUKVINA, S. S.] [Chemical Treatment of Natural Gases. I.] Prirodnuie Gazui, vol. 2, 1931, pp. 91-128; Chem. Abs., vol. 26, 1932, p. 1416.

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Literature Abstracts

CH₄ containing 8% N₂ was passed through a porcelain tube in the presence of reduced Ni and heated at various temperatures; the highest conversion to H₂, amounting to 94.3%, was attained at 850°, the balance being 1.6% CH₄ and 4.1% N₂, while under the above condition with a temperature of 1,000° 57.2% of CH₄ still remained unchanged when the reaction was carried out without a catalyst. Equal volumes of CH₄ and CO₂ require a 100° higher temperature. In the conversion of cH₄ and H₂O vapor in the presence of a mixture of Ni and NiO catalysts the highest yields (increase of volume by 205%) were obtained at 900° and a CH₄:H₂O ratio of 1:4 and 1:5. When activated wood charcoal was substituted for the Ni catalyst, a complete conversion was obtained at 750°-800°, but the yield of H₂ amounted to only 55.9%, while 37.7% CO was present in the final gas mixture. This is probably due to the reaction C+H₂O→CO+H₂, favored by temperatures exceeding 750°. Conclusion: The conversion of gases containing CH₄ is commercially feasible. The process temperature is of the magnitude of 800°-950°. Reduced Ni may be used as catalyst. Semicoke prepared from brown coal as well as coke from hard coal are catalysts equivalent to Ni. An excess of H₂O favors the formation of H₂. The thermal decomposition of CH₄ in the presence of water vapors is insignificant above 800°, and a complete conversion is obtained at about 900°.