Acetylene synthesis by methane pyrolysis on a tungsten wire

Acetylene synthesis conditions in methane pyrolysis on a tungsten wire heating element have been investigated. At high temperatures, methane pyrolysis yields a large amount of carbon black as small particles and carbon filaments. Carbon black practically does not form when methane is diluted with helium. At methane concentrations of 10–15% and coil temperatures of 1800–2000°C, 80% methane conversion and 80% acetylene selectivity have been attained at a contact time of a few hundredths of a second. Changing from pure methane to natural gas in the specified temperature range exerts no effect on the methane conversion and acetylene selectivity. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the reaction ceases on the gas temperature is decreased below 800°C.