Nonthermal Plasma Approach in Direct Methanol Synthesis from $CH_4$

Direct methanol synthesis from $CH_4$ and $O_2$ has been experimentally studied using pulsed discharge plasma in concentric-cylinder-type reactors. The methanol production becomes efficient with an increase in the average electric field strength of the reactor. A combination of the pulsed discharge and catalysts was tested and was proved to be effective in increasing both the production and selectivity of methanol. In the present stage, about 2% of $CH_4$ can be converted into other hydrocarbons, and a methanol yield of around 0.5% and selectivity of 38% can be obtained when a catalyst of $V_2$ $O_5$ + Si$O_2$ is combined with the pulsed discharge plasma