PATENTS

      167.            BELCHETZ, A.  (M. W. Kellogg Co.).  Preparation of Hydrogen-Carbon Oxide Mixtures and Catalytic Reactions Thereof.  United States Patent 2,577,563, Dec. 4, 1951.  Chem. Abs., vol. 46, 1952. p. 2271.

CO and H₂ are produced by oxidation at 1,650° F. of CH₄ or other hydrocarbon gases over Fe, Cu, Co, or Ni oxides.  The catalytic material serves as a heat transfer agent and in the reduced form at 600° F. as the fluidized catalyst for the hydrogenation of CO.  Spent catalyst from the oxidation of CH₄ and hydrogenation of CO is regenerated at 1,850° F. in a common catalyst oxidation zone.  Montmorillonite-type clays, such as Ittawamba clay, containing 5% Fe₂O₃ and 1.3% TiO₂, are satisfactory as catalysts after activation with H₄S at room temperature followed by roasting at 1,000°-1,400° F., at which temperature the sulfide is converted to the oxide.