Reactions of methane in dielectric-barrier discharges

The reactions of methane under the conditions of barrier discharges were studied in the mixtures: 1) 50% CH4+ 50% Ar, 2) 50%CH4+ 25%CO2+ 25% Ar, and 3) 50%CH4+ 50%CO2, under atmospheric pressure at about 50°C and about 300°C. Besides hydrogen, ethane was the main gaseous product of the reaction, with small additions of ethylene and acetylene. An increase of the overall methane conversion and conversion into C2 hydrocarbons was observed in cases where grains of quartz glass was packed in the discharge gap.