[el worthy] 



PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANE 



103 



* Gases contaminated by air leak. 



The results were disappointing in that although formaldehyde 

 was formed with either metal at 700°C. and over the amounts were 

 insignificant. 



The small percentages of oxygen present in the initial gas may 

 partially account for the oxidation though it is evident from the 

 analyses that oxygen was also formed in the reaction, the final per- 

 centages being greater than the initial. 



At least 12 litres of methane were used in each experiment and 

 assuming 1 per cent, of the methane partially ozidized, 10 mgm. 

 formaldehyde should have been formed. Yet only one-hundredth of 

 that amount was found. 



The experiments were, therefore, discontinued. 



Summary 



Three possible methods of obtaining partial oxidation products 

 of methane from natural gas have been described. 



(1) Oxidation of methane by passage of natural gas and oxygen 

 over certain catalysts. 



(2) Oxidation by the action of the silent discharge on mixtures 

 of natural gas and oxygen. 



(3) The reaction between methane and carbon dioxide. 

 Traces of formaldehyde were found under certain conditions in 



each method but oxidation by ozone is the only one which might 

 repay further study. 



