Distribution of Electrical Field Energy for Conversion of Methane to C 2 Hydrocarbons via Dissymmetrical Electric Field Enhanced Plasma

Abstract

Direct conversion of methane into C 2 hydrocarbons through alternating current electric field enhanced plasma was studied under room temperature, atmospheric pressure and low power conditions. The distribution of electrical field intensity and distribution of energy were calculated with software that was developed by us according to the charge simulation method. The results indicated that the energy of tip of electrode was 0.36 J/mm 3 and it was higher than the methane dissociation energy (0.0553 J/mm 3). The methane located at this area can be activated easily. The higher-energy particles produced by dissociation collided with molecules around them and initiated consecutive reactions between free radicals and molecules. The method was proved to be valided and could be taken as a basis for the electrical field study concerned.