The kinetics of the system carbon-hydrogen-methane

Abstract

In a study of the kinetics of the system carbon-hydrogen-methane, the methane formation rate was determined at pressures up to 40 atm and in the temperature range 650 to 870°C, and the methane decomposition rate a t pressures up to 20 atm and in the temperature range 850 to 725°C. The rate of methane formation, expressed as gram moles per minute per gram of carbon originally in the bed, can be expressed by the equation

Formula

where k₁, k₂, k₃, k₄, and k₅ are constants and p_H2 and P_Ch4 are the partial pressures, in atmospheres, of the hydrogen and methane respectively. A mechanism has been suggested which involves the formation of >CH₂ groups on the carbon surface.