The reaction of hydrocarbons and steam at 1400 to 1800 degrees F. over a nickel catalyst to produce carbon oxides and hydrogen, followed by the water gas shift reaction at 800 degrees F. over an iron oxide catalyts, has been utilized commercially in this country on a large scale since 1930 to produced hydrogen containing 1.0 to 1.5% methane and 1.5 to 2% carbon monoxide. Calculations with available equilibrium data indicate that above 1500 deg F.methane and steam can produce hydrogen containing less than 0.1% methane without the use of excessive quantities of steam. A commercial plant has recently been placed in operation which produced hydrogen of the following analysis from propane and steam.