Methane conversion to H2 and higher hydrocarbons using non-thermal plasma dielectric barrier discharge reactor

The use of Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) reactors has been proposed as an alternative solution to the World's stranded gas challenge due to their ability to perform reactions, such as direct conversion of methane to H-2 and higher hydrocarbons (> C-1), at room temperature. An optimisation study varying plasma power (10-50 W) and residence time (3.82-19.08 s) was performed using a DBD reactor with no catalyst. The effects of additives including water vapour, nitrogen, and hydrogen were also explored. The optimum conditions for methane conversion (36.5%) without additives at ambient temperature (20 degrees C) were found to be maximum at 50 W and 19.08 s, resulting in a H-2 yield of 13.9%. The key finding from the additive study was that the addition of 10% N-2 resulted in an increase in conversion (37.6%) and an increase in H-2 yield (14.5%), at 50 W and 19.08 s.