Influence of hydrogen addition on methane coupling in a moderate pressure microwave plasma

In this paper, the effect of hydrogen addition on methane coupling in a microwave moderate pressure (55 mbar and 110 mbar) plasma reactor has been studied. The use optical emission spectroscopy allowed determination rotational temperature heavy particles showed it to be range 3000–4000 K. Due high discharge dominant product was acetylene concluded that process is mainly through thermal decomposition with key role H radicals. It revealed can increase both conversion ethylene yield selectivity. With CH4:H2 ratio 1:1, increased from 31.0% 42.1% 34.0% 48.6% (110 mbar), when compared pure plasma. Respectively, 14.4% 25.3% 20.1% mbar). Moreover, decreased output problematic soot-like product. These results indicate simple yet effective method increasing selectivity desirable products reforming CH4.