2176. ------. [MAYLAND, B. J.] (Phillips Petroleum Co.). Method of Reforming Natural Gas to Produce Synthesis Gas. United States Patent 2,622,089, Dec. 16, 1952; appl. filed Sept. 5, 1947. Serial No. 772,460; 1 claim (Cl. 252-373). Chem. Abs., vol. 47, 19

PATENTS

2176. ------. [MAYLAND, B. J.] (Phillips Petroleum Co.). Method of Reforming Natural Gas to Produce Synthesis Gas. United States Patent 2,622,089, Dec. 16, 1952; appl. filed Sept. 5, 1947. Serial No. 772,460; 1 claim (Cl. 252-373). Chem. Abs., vol. 47, 1953, p. 2964.

By using a high-space velocity of natural gas, CO₂ and H₂O through the reformer, a given mol. ratio of H₂:CO is produced using less than the theoretical concentration of CO₂. The preferred temperature is 1,300°-1,800° F., preferred pressure is atmospheric, space velocity 200-1,000 vol. of gas per vol. catalyst per hr. measured at 70° F. and at atmospheric pressure. The upper limit of space velocity is set by the lowest practicable conversion per pass for any given application. The upper limit of space velocity also depends upon the specific apparatus, the catalyst, and the desired extent of conversion. Reduced Ni oxide is a suitable catalyst. By adjusting the steam and CO₂ in the feed, the mol. ratio of H₂:CO may vary from 6.3:1 to 1:1.