Conversion of Methane to Liquid Products, Hydrogen, and Ammonia with Environmentally Friendly Condition-Based Microgap Discharge

Abstract

The conversion of methane to liquid products, hydrogen (H₂), and ammonia (NH₃) was investigated experimentally using microgap discharge plasma at an environmentally friendly condition. The experimental results indicated that H₂ and NH₃ were detected as the main gas products. The highest yield and production rate of H₂ was 14.4% (v/v) and 2974.6 μmol/min, respectively, whereas the highest yield and production rate of NH₃ was 8000 ppm (v/v) and 165.1 μmol/min, respectively. Particularly, the liquid products were collected on the plate and consisted of pyrrole, 2-methyl-1,4-pentadiene, α-amidopyri-dine, 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, methylpyrazine, 1-hexyne, 1,4-heptadiene, and polycyclic organic compounds. Some liquid products were the intermediates of drug, flavor, dye, and organic synthesis, as well as edible flavor. The collection efficiency in mass and energy efficiency were 26.3% at once and 22.9 g/kWh, respectively. The whole reaction process was considered to be in line with green chemistry principles.