3677.     WHEELER, R. V., AND WOOD, W. L.  Pyrolysis of Methane.  Fuel, vol. 7, 1928, pp. 535-539; Chem. Abs., vol. 23, 1929, p. 3212.

        Study of the thermal decomposition of CH₄ has been made.  The results obtained agree, in general, with those of Fischer (abs. 954).  C₆H₆ is formed at 875°-1,100°, the optimum temperature (for the apparatus used) being about 1,050° with a yield of 0.2 gal. per 1,000 cu. ft.  Quartz, porcelain, and Cu reaction tubes were all without catalytic effect on the decomposition.  With an Fe tube only C and H₂ are formed.  Dilution of the CH₄ with N₂ has little effect on the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons obtained at 1,000°, but dilution with H₂ rapidly decreases the yields.  The apparatus is described and illustrated.