Oxidative synthesis of higher hydrocarbons from CO2 and CH4 by streamer discharges

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/cl.1996.749

An experimental investigation on oxidative synthesis of ethane and ethylene from CH₄ using CO₂ as an oxidant has been performed by streamer discharge reactions, which are initiated by an AC electric field. This gas discharge promotes the methane conversion to reach a high yield of C₂ hydrocarbons of 20% ～ 45% with a methane conversion of 25% ～ 80% and a conversion of carbon dioxide of 8% ～ 40%. The reactions for these conversions are: 2CH₄ + CO₂ → C₂H₆ + CO + H₂O and 2CH₄ + 2CO₂ → C₂H₄ + 2CO + 2 H₂O. A possible pathway of C₂ formation was also present in this letter.