Oxidation of contaminative methane traces with radio-frequency discharge

Further developments in oxidation of methane traces with radiofrequency discharge

“…Nominal residence times (based on room temperature and the actual volume of active discharge-see ref. 1) for typical conditions are presented in Table I. Since the electrode size does not have much effect on the degree of methane oxidation (1), a large electrode diameter can be used to minimize the production of nitric oxides in the presence of nitrogen.…”

“…~0.1% and thereby give an iodometric response equivalent to 0.01-0.03% of O3, the range of our results. If nitrogen emerged from the reactor as NO and if [O3] ~0.01%, this NO would be entirely converted to NO9 by the fast reaction (&300 = 1.65 X 10-14 cm3/s): 03 + NO = N02 + 02 (1) or to higher oxides (6). We may therefore exclude the possibility that O3 and NO were both present.…”

“…The basic apparatus and reactor have been described in detail (1,2). A mixture of dry air or dry oxygen and methane is formed in a dynamic dilution system (Figure 1) and metered into the reactor.…”

“…We have now extended that work to air, which contains methane traces, and report the formation of NO* in air which is so treated. An analysis of the thin film which forms on the reactor wall (1) is also given.…”