Conversion of methane to liquid products, hydrogen, and ammonia with environmentally friendly condition-based...

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 micromol/min, respectively, whereas the highest yield and production rate of NH3 was 8000 ppm (v/v) and 165.1 micromol/min, respectively. Particularly, the liquid products were collected on the plate and consisted of pyrrole, 2-methyl-1,4-pentadiene, c-amidopyridine, 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.