2341.     MUNGEN, R., AND KRATZER, M. B.  Partial Combustion of Methane With Oxygen.  Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 43, 1951, pp. 2782-2787.

        Partial combustion of CH₄ with O₂ at 300 p.s.i.g. has been studied on a pilot-plant scale.  The independent variables given primary attention were the O₂:C feed ratio, the preheat temperatures of the feed streams, and the space velocity.  The reaction is assumed to proceed in 2 steps – a primary reaction when CO₂ and H₂O are the main products of the reaction of CH₄ and O₂ followed by reforming of CH₄ with CO₂ and H₂O to CO and H₂.  The reforming reaction appears to be the rate-controlling step in the process.  Equilibrium was not attained under the conditions employed.  The calculated final reaction temperatures ranged from 2,000°-2,500° F.  The partial combustion of CH₄ with O₂ under assumed commercial conditions was shown to be a practical method of supplying feed gas to the hydrocarbon synthesis process.

        MURAKAMI, T.  See abs. 1483.