3189.     ŠIMEK, B. G., COUFALIK, F., AND ZAMRZLA, E.  [Conversion of Methane in a Water-Gas Generator.]  Mitt. Kohlenforsch.-Inst. Prag, vol. 3, 1937, pp. 236-255; Hornicky Vestnik, vol. 19, 1937, p. 414; British Chem. Abs., 1938, B, p. 1004; Chem. Abs., vol. 32, 1938, p. 7701.

        Mixture of CH₄ (I) and steam (II) was passed over coke in a water-gas generator, starting at 1,200° and continuing to not lower than 1,000°.  By varying conditions and proportions of (II), products having H₂:CO ratios of 1.02-11.76 were obtained.  The most important factor in practicable water gas production from (I) was the temperature, which should be more than 1,100°.  Increasing the rate of introducing (I) did not hinder its utilization as long as the temperature was maintained but was a hindering factor at lower temperatures.  It is advantageous to use (I) and (II) in proportions required for making a product of H₂:CO=2.  Use of too much (II) hinders utilization of (I); smaller amounts of (II) increased decomposition of (I), giving finely divided C and a gas of higher H₂ content.  The use of (I) and (II) in a water-gas generator is more desirable than the usual process from both thermodynamic and heat economy viewpoints.  Tabulated data and methods of calculation.

        SIMIZU, J.  See abs. 3313.