Dimerization of Methane through Microwave Plasmas

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j100139a025

Methane is converted to saturated and unsaturated C2 hydrocarbons in microwave plasma reactors at pressures from 10 to 100 Torr.The microwave power is coupled to the plasma through either an Everson or a Beenakker cavity, with the Beenakker cavity giving better results.The conversion of methane depends on the pressure, power input, and the flow rate and can be as high as 90percent.A simple kinetic model based on collision theory relates conversion to experimental variables.The selectivity to unsaturated C2 products varies from 0 to 50percent with the maximum selectivity occuring around 20percent methane conversion.The energy efficiency of utilizing microwave energy to drive the thermodynamically unfavorable reaction of methane dimerization ranges from 0.2percent to 3.3percent.