Methanol conversion from methane and water vapor by electric discharge (Effect of electric discharge process on methane conversion)

The possibility of methanol conversion from a methane and water-vapor gas mixture was investigated for a new and highly efficient energy conversion system. Reforming process of methanol to hydrogen can be used for a low-temperature thermal energy utilization. Direct methanol production from methane and water-vapor mixture by spark or glowlike discharges has been achieved experimentally. High methanol production rate of 0.5% has been obtained by both discharges. The effects of reaction time, total pressure and ratio of gas mixture on the conversion efficiency have been clarified experimentally. The electric energy consumption for the methanol production by the spark discharge is 0.01 times smaller than that by the glow discharge. The methanol conversion process has also been analyzed theoretically by considering 104 elementary reactions. The result suggests that a very short period energy input such as a spark discharge can effectively produce methanol.