2210.     MATUI, A., AND YASUDA, M.  Oxidation of Methane Under Pressure.  I.  Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind. (Japan), vol. 43, suppl., 1940, pp. 453-454; Chem. Abs., vol. 35, 1941, p. 3796.

        Partial oxidation of natural gas containing 94.95% CH₄ in the presence of 30% air, was studied at 350°, the variable being gas pressure and velocity of gas flow.  At 100 atm. pressure (kg. per cm.²) over Fe₂O₃ as catalyst 400 mg. CH₃OH per 100 l. gas was formed; CuO and AgO gave 360 mg. and 285 mg. CH₃OH, respectively, under the same conditions.  With increase of pressure the Fe₂O₃ and CuO curves increased in slope while the AgO curve decreased.  The same gas mixture yielded 30 mg. HCHO over AgO and over CuO catalysts, and 23 mg. over Fe₂O₃ under 100 atm. pressure at 350° and a gas flow of 10 l. per min.  The yield of CH₃OH over AgO tended to increase, over Fe₂O₃ and CuO to decrease, with increase of velocity of gas flow, while the yield of HCHO was less-affected over these catalysts.