Conversion of hydrocarbon gases in dielectric barrier discharge in the presence of water

The conversion of C₁–C₄ hydrocarbons into gaseous and liquid products in a dielectric barrier discharge plasma in the presence of water has been studied. The formation of a deposit on the electrode surface is prevented by introducing water in the liquid state into a gaseous hydrocarbon stream, a finding that has been confirmed by IR spectroscopic study of the electrode surface. Hydrogen and C₂₊ hydrocarbons have been detected among the gaseous products of conversion, the liquid products being represented by C₆–C₁₀₊ alkanes. The total liquid products have amounted to 13.4, 26.0, or 36.6% for the methane, propane, or n-butane conversion, respectively. A 10% propane or butane admixture to methane increases the yield of the liquid products to make 22.0 and 31.7% for the methane–propane and the methane–butane mixture, respectively.