Methane and n-butane oxidation with CO2 under radiofrequency plasmas of moderate pressures

Abstract
The oxidation of methane and n-butane with CO2 has been studied in 35 MHz electrical discharges, operated at variable gas flow rates (6-30 (STP) min-1), power densities (2-8 cal cm-3 s -1) and constant pressure of 20 torr. Evidence is presented that the primary step of the process is the rupture of a C-H bond and that the main route for the conversion of both methane and n-butane into CO is via the intermediate C2-hydrocarbons (C2H2, C 2H4, C2H6)