2555.     ---------------.  [PADOVANI, C., AND FRANCHETTI, P.]  [Incomplete Oxidation of Methane With Oxygen and Air.]  Giorn. chim. ind. applicata, vol. 15, 1933, pp. 429-432; Chem. Abs., vol. 28, 1934, p. 2853.

        Reaction CH₄+½O₂→CO+2H₂+8 cal. is influenced markedly by the presence of catalysts such as Ni; for example, at 850°-950° with a space velocity of 500, virtually equilibrium conditions were obtained.  At 900°, less than 1% CH₄ remained in the reaction product.  CH₄ from petroleum cracking, as well as from illuminating gas, was used.  With reduced cost of O₂, the above reaction may become of interest in preparing H₂, NH₃ and alcohols.