| 摘要 |
In a method of producing methane-containing gases from predominantly paraffinic hydrocarbons containing an average of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms per molecule, by passing the hydrocarbons with steam through a bed of catalyst, the temperature of the bed is maintained below 400 DEG C., preferably between 250 DEG and 390 DEG C. The catalyst may comprise reduced nickel supported on alumina, e.g. the one described as catalyst E in Example I of Specification 969,637. The bed temperature may be controlled by passing a fluid, e.g. air, or the hydrocarbon/steam feed mixture, through tubes in the catalyst, and the reaction temperature may be controlled by recirculating a portion of the product gas. Steam in the proportion of 1.3 parts by weight to 1 of hydrocarbon average 2 to 5 carbon atoms per molecule, or 1 part by weight to 1 of hydrocarbon where the average is 2 to 4. Two specific examples, employing commercial butane and pentane respectively, are described.
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