Conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons in AC nonequilibrium plasmas

The effects of plasma chemistry an the conversion of methane were studied using a dielectric barrier discharge reactor at ambient temperatures. A dielectric barrier discharge reactor generates a nonequilibrium plasma when a sufficiently high voltage is applied across the reactor's electrodes. Methane molecules are activated at this temperature and coupled to farm C-2 hydrocarbons, higher hydrocarbons, and hydrogen. The study on the effect of voltage, residence time and third bodies on methane conversion and product selectivity shows that methane conversion initially increases with increasing voltage and residence time above the breakdown voltage, and product selectivities are essentially independent of the voltage. Production of hydrogen during the reaction limits olefin production. Methane conversion also increases when helium and ethane are in the feed stream. Helium and ethane bath appear to be more easily activated than methane and enhance methane activation and conversion.