Effects of Argon as a Coexistent Gas on Dehydrogenative Coupling of Methane in a Thermal Diffusion Reactor

Abstract

In order to increase the conversion of methane in dehydrogenative coupling of methane using a thermal diffusion reactor, the effects of coexistent inert gas have been tested. Argon is chosen as a coexistent inert gas which induces the concentration of methane in the reaction zone of the reactor without altering the temperature gradient. The methane conversion increased with increasing the molar fraction of argon of feed gas, and the maximum yield of gaseous hydrocarbons (mainly ethylene and acetylene)was obtained when the molar fraction of argon was 30%.