Natural gas is not only playing an increasing important role in energy and chemicals supplies in 21st century but is also the second most important component of the greenhouse gases. Clean and direct conversion of methane to C 2 hydrocarbons (ethane, ethene and acetylene) through AC and DC plasma catalysis enhanced by electric field was studied at low temperature ranging from 50?℃ to 100?℃, atmospheric pressure and low power conditions. The influence of form of the electrode, distance between the electrodes, voltage, diameter of reactor, flow of inlet methane, N 2/CH 4(mole) and 20 catalysts were tested under low temperature plasma. The results indicated that best form of the electrode was plate; the better distance between the electrode was 5mm; the appropriate voltage was 38V(AC);the apparent diameter of reactor was 17mm, the likely flow range flux of inlet methane was 60—80?ml·min -1 , the suitable ratio of N 2/CH 4 (mole) was 0.5—1.0.The yield of C 2 hydrocarbons was the highest on V 2O 5,ZnO(5%)/ZSM-5-38 catalyst, the yield of ethene was the highest on La 0.8 Sr 0.2 CrO 3,ZnO catalyst. The results are better than those obtained through conventional reaction of oxidation coupling of methane.
