The effects of plasma chemistry an the conversion of methane were stud
ied using a dielectric barrier discharge reactor at ambient temperatur
es. A dielectric barrier discharge reactor generates a nonequilibrium
plasma when a sufficiently high voltage is applied across the reactor'
s electrodes. Methane molecules are activated at this temperature and
coupled to farm C-2 hydrocarbons, higher hydrocarbons, and hydrogen. T
he study on the effect of voltage, residence time and third bodies on
methane conversion and product selectivity shows that methane conversi
on initially increases with increasing voltage and residence time abov
e the breakdown voltage, and product selectivities are essentially ind
ependent of the voltage. Production of hydrogen during the reaction li
mits olefin production. Methane conversion also increases when helium
and ethane are in the feed stream. Helium and ethane bath appear to be
more easily activated than methane and enhance methane activation and
conversion.