Conversion of methane to hydrogen via pulsed corona discharge

Experiments were conducted to develop a pulsed corona discharge system for the conversion of methane to hydrogen at 1 atm without using a catalyst. The corona discharge was energized by 10-12 μsec wide voltage pulses at a repetition rate of about 1-1.5 kHz. The conversion of methane was ≤ 50.8% producing the 70% yield of hydrogen. The effect of argon on the discharge of methane was studied. Under pulse corona plasma production, the activation and conversion of methane could be achieved via collision of methane molecular with energetic electrons. The mechanism for an efficient production of hydrogen could be due to the strong intensity of electric field near the surface of inner electrode.