Production of Methanol from Methane by an Impulse Discharge on the Water Surface
Masato Mukawa
Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aza Aoba 6-6-05, Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
Takafumi Tanno
Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aza Aoba 6-6-05, Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8579, Japan.
Satoru Iizuka *
Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aza Aoba 6-6-05, Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8579, Japan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Production of methanol from methane was investigated by a low pressure impulse discharge on the surface of the water without using catalysis.
Methane was introduced above the water surface and mixed with steam generated by the heat supplied by the discharge. Discharge parameters were changed for optimizing the methanol production. Gaseous hydrocarbons such as ethane, ethylene and acetylene were produced except methanol. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were also observed. The major product was carbon monoxide. Decomposition rate of methane, methanol selectivity, and energy efficiency for methanol production were 51.5%, 22%, and 0.14 L/kWh, respectively. The maximum of energy efficiency was 0.19 L/kWh at the methane flow rate of 10 sccm.
The control of methane dissociation was a key factor for the methane conversion. Water surface discharge system developed here is quite effective for the methanol production.
Keywords: Methanol, methane, impulse discharge, water surface, steam