Abstract:

The coupling of methane in the presence of oxygen under pulse corona plasma was examined under normal pressure and at ambient temperature. Experimental results show that composition and distribution of C2 products in the presence of oxygen is similar to that in the absence of oxygen. With increasing energy input to the plasma reactor, methane conversion, oxygen conversion and C2 yield were enhanced. Increasing the O2/CH4 ratio gave higher conversions of methane and oxygen. The yield of C2 products increased slightly only in the range of O2/CH4 ratio less than 0.16 when feeding with a mixture of methane and oxygen. If oxygen is introduced at the end of the methane plasma, a higher C2 yield and lower CO yield can be obtained and CO2 can not be detected in the product.

Key words: Coupling of methane, Pulse corona plasma, In the presence of oxygen