Plasma conversion of methane, alkanes, and CO-fed mixtures into light olefins

The use of a low-cost heavy alkane feedstock co-fed with either methane hydrogen in a plasma was studied. Experiments were presented in which the direct, one-step conversion of methane to ethylene, propylene, and other light hydrocarbons takes place. Relative percentages in the output mixture range up to 42% for ethylene, to 68% for ethane, and to 48% for acetylene. Results were also presented for combined methane + hydrogen, alkane + methane, and alkene + hydrogen feedstocks.