Oxidation of Gaseous Alkane Mixtures in Dielectric Barrier Discharge

The oxidation of propane–butane and propane–methane mixtures in dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma to the corresponding hydroxyl and carbonyl compounds has been studied. As a result, both compounds undergo conversion, but the hydrocarbon with a higher molecular weight has a higher oxidation rate. The main pathways of n-butane molecule dissociation under the action of DBD plasma are proposed, based on a comparative analysis of experimental data, calculations of electron energy losses, and fragmentation variants of electronically excited ethane and propane molecules.