methane conversion to more valued hydrocarbons and methanol using dielectric barrier discharge plasma

the experimental studies of methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons and methanol using a dielectric barrier discharge (dbd) reactor are presented in this article. the process is carried out at ambient atmospheric pressure and temperature. the dbd reactor is stimulated by an alternative voltage of 50 hz and amplitude of max.23kv. the examination of the effect of voltage and flow rates on methane conversion and product selectivity shows that methane conversion increases linearly by increasing voltage but the product selectivity are in most of the cases independent of voltage. introducing helium as a third body in methane –electron interaction enhanced methane conversion. when adding oxygen to the feed, the rate of methane conversion increased three times. in low partial pressure of oxygen in the feed and a threshold voltage of 12000 volts, the main product was methanol with a selectivity of 40% and a total yield of 1%.