| abstract |
A methane-containing gas is produced by reaction of the vapour of paraffinic hydrocarbons having an average of from 4-15 carbon atoms per molecule with steam in a bed of nickel catalyst wherein the temperature of the hydrocarbon vapour on entering the bed is at least 350 DEG C., the maximum temperature of the bed is maintained at from 550 DEG to 600 DEG C. and no carbon deposition occurs on the catalyst. Preferably the catalyst temperature does not exceed 575 DEG C. The process may be used in conjunction with any of the inventions disclosed in Specifications 969,637,981,726, 994,278, 1,000,309, 1,018,382 and 1,033,764 (all being patents of Addition to Specification 820,257). |