Catalytic reactions

In a process for the removal of methane from a gas containing the same, by oxidation to carbon dioxide and water wherein said gas is passed with oxygen through a catalyst bed in which the catalyst comprises a porous refractory support having a platinum group metal deposited thereon, said oxidation involving bringing said gas to its ignition temperature followed by combustion of said gas in the presence of said catalyst, the improvement comprising utilizing, as the catalyst, one which consists essentially of an inert rigid unitary porous refractory ceramic honeycomb having deposited upon the surfaces which come into contact with the said gas a first layer of a catalytically active high surface area refractory metal oxide, a major proportion of which is selected from oxides of at least one of the metals of Group II, III and IV of the Periodic Table having atomic numbers not exceeding 40, and a second metallic layer deposited upon said first layer consisting essentially of an alloy of 35% by weight rhodium and 65% by weight platinum whereby the ignition temperature of the gas is reduced when compared with otherwise identical catalysts wherein the second metallic layer is (a) 100% platinum, (b) 100% rhodium or (c) alloys of 5% rhodium and 95% platinum;

• 20% rhodium and 80% platinum;
• or 50% rhodium and 50% platinum, the reduced temperature being in the range of 300.degree.-325.degree. C.