Non-oxidative methane conversion assisted by corona discharge

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 104; pp. 265 - 270
• Main Authors: Beloqui Redondo, A., Troussard, E., van Bokhoven, J.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-12-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Corona discharge; Electrode coating; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Methane conversion; Methane to acetylene; Plasma; Plasma; Electrode coating; Methane to acetylene; Corona discharge; Methane conversion; Methane; Gold; Stability; Hydrogen; Ethylene; Ethane; Acetylene; Propene; Energy conservation; Stainless steel; Corona effect; Propane
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2012.05.021

This paper provides experimental parameters in the non-oxidative conversion of methane in a corona discharge to produce acetylene selectively. Conversion of 28% with 76% selectivity to acetylene was obtained using 8.2W (10,900V, 14.5MΩ), 6mm distance between electrodes, 3.6mL/min pure methane flow, and a reactor initial temperature of 297K. A considerable increase in the stability of the reaction was obtained after coating the stainless steel electrodes with gold, presumably due to a decrease in the rate of catalytic carbon formation. The energy efficiency reached 26.2kWh/kg C2H2. In addition to acetylene, hydrogen, ethane, ethylene, propane and propene were produced.
► Non-oxidative conversion of methane in a corona plasma discharge. ► High acetylene yield and discharge stability. ► Optimized power, flow rate, inlet gas, electrode distance and reactor temperature. ► Stability of plasma reactor improved by gold coated electrodes.