POSSIBILITY OF METHANE DECOMPOSITION IN A GAS DISCHARGE

O. V. Petrova , P. I. Porshnev , and S. A. Zhdanok

UDC 533.92

The possibility of using a gas discharge such as a 
corona discharge or a barrier discharge for decomposition of methane 
in different gaseous mixtures is investigated theoretically. The effect 
of preheating of the gas to a temperature of 1200 K on the degree 
of methane conversion in the discharge is studied. A kinetic model 
that describes the processes of methane decomposition and oxidation 
in CH4/CO2, CH4/H2O, and CH4/O2 
subxtures is developed. The effect of the discharge parameters and 
gas additives on the efficiency of methane decomposition is investigated. 
The optimum temperature of the mixture, particle lifetime, and initial 
concentration of oxygen for the production of hydrogen molecules are 
found.