Slow Combustion of Methane at Elevated Pressures

Methane was partially oxidized with oxygen in a batch reactor at pressures of 1700 and 3400 atm and temperatures of 270–480°C. Residence times ranged from 0 to 60 min. Water, methanol, formaldehyde, acetone, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were produced in every reaction. In addition, ethanol was formed at high temperatures under nonisothermal conditions and formic acid was detected in reactions at 3400 atm. Products analyses were made with a two-column gas chromatograph.