Conversion of methane in a coaxial microwave torch

A microwave coaxial plasmatron (microwave torch) is used as a plasmachemical converter of methane into hydrogen and hydrocarbons. The measured energy cost of methane decomposition is close to its minimum theoretical value. Such a low energy cost is unsurpassed for reactors operating at atmospheric pressure. A model of the plasmachemical converter is constructed. The results of calculations in the frame-work of this model agree well with experimental data.