Plasma methane conversion in the presence of dimethyl ether using dielectric-barrier discharge

An experimental investigation was conducted to convert methane in the presence of dimethyl ether (DME), using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure and 100 degrees C. The co-feed of DME induces an increase in methane conversion, from 18.22 % to 38.46 %. The major products include C-2 and C-3 hydrocarbons, methoxy-containing oxygenates (methyl ethyl ether (MEE), dimethoxymethane (DMM), and dimethoxyethane (DMET)) and syngas (CO and H-2). The selectivity of prod-acts changes with the CH4/DME feed ratio. The larger the CH4/DME feed ratio, the higher the selectivity of light hydrocarbons. The highest selectivity of all the oxygenates is observed for a CH4/DME feed ratio of 1:1.