2496.     ---------------.  [ODELL, W. W.]  Re-Forming Natural Gas in Water-Gas Generators, With Substantially Complete Elimination of Entrained Carbon.  Bureau of Mines Rept. of Investigations 2973, 1929, 10 pp.; Chem. Abs., vol. 24, 1930, p. 710.

        When steam and a hydrocarbon gas are admitted to the incandescent fuel bed of a standard water-gas generator, a re-formed gas is produced, which is comprised chiefly of H₂, CO, and CH₄.  When the amount of steam is too low, C resulting from the cracking of the hydrocarbons is entrained in the gas.  A higher temperature is required to crack CH₄ than the higher hydrocarbons.  The composition of the re-formed gas can be controlled, and the specific gravity and heating value can be adjusted as necessary.  Increased air blasting (increased temperatures) decreases CH₄ content and increases H₂.  The low limit is about 10% CH₄ and 60% H₂, giving a gas of 350 B.t.u. heating value.  Relative amounts of steam and hydrocarbon influence the H₂:CO ratio.  The low limit is substantially the same as that for water gas, 1.2:1; the upper limit without entrained C is about 3:1.  Less heat is required for the generation of a unit vol. of reformed gas than straight water gas; hence less generator fuel is used.  Gas making capacity is increased materially by a blow run.  Gives operating data.