Premium
Conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons in AC nonequilibrium plasmas
Author(s) -
Thanyachotpaiboon K.,
Chavadej S.,
Caldwell T. A.,
Lobban L. L.,
Mallinson R. G.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690441014
Subject(s) - methane , non equilibrium thermodynamics , plasma , environmental science , physics , chemistry , thermodynamics , nuclear physics , organic chemistry
Abstract The effects of plasma chemistry on 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 form 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 both appear to be more easily activated than methane and enhance methane activation and conversion.