Abstract: A method of transforming a normally gaseous composition containing at least one hydrogen source, at least one oxygen source and at least one carbon source into a normally liquid fuel, wherein said gaseous composition consists at least in part of carbon dioxide as said carbon source and said oxygen source, and of methane as said hydrogen source and as a second carbon source; the method comprising the steps of feeding the composition into a reactor including a first electrode means, a second electrode means and at least one layer of a normally solid dielectric material positioned between the first and the second electrode means; submitting the composition within the reactor in the presence of a normally solid catalyst to a dielectric barrier discharge, wherein said normally solid catalyst is a member selected from the group of zeolites, aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophosphates, metalloaluminophosphates and metal oxides containing OH groups; and controlling the dielectric barrier discharge to convert the gaseo

Abstract: A method of transforming a normally gaseous composition consisting essentially of methane into a material comprising a major portion, at least, of hydrocarbons containing at least two carbon atoms; the method comprising the steps of feeding the composition into a reactor including a first electrode means, a second electrode means and at least one layer of a normally solid dielectric material positioned between the first and the second electrode means; submitting the composition within the reactor in the presence of a normally solid catalyst to a dielectric barrier discharge; and controlling the dielectric barrier discharge to convert the normally gaseous composition into the material comprising a major portion, at least, of the hydrocarbons containing at least two carbon atoms.

Abstract: In a discharge reactor with a low-current gas discharge, an inlet gas made of a CH4—CO2 gas mixture is converted into a synthesis gas having an H2—CO gas mixture which has a higher energy content than the inlet gas. For a predeterminable synthesis gas volume ratio R=H2/CO, the requisite CO2 proportion in the inlet gas can be derived from a function curve (f) or calculated according to V=−4.76·R3+37.57·R2−99.13·R+105.39.

Abstract: A method of cracking a hydrocarbon composition having a normal boiling range beginning at a temperature of at least about 200° C., includes the steps of providing the hydrocarbon composition in a reactor including a first electrode mechanism, a second electrode mechanism and at least one layer of a normally solid dielectric material positioned between the first and the second electrode mechanisms. The hydrocarbon composition within the reactor is exposed to a dielectric barrier discharge, and the dielectric barrier discharge is controlled to convert the hydrocarbon composition into products having normal boiling points of below about 200° C.

Abstract: In an electrical discharge reactor for facilitating chemical reactions, power consumption and yield of chemical reactions are optimized, and heat dissipation is improved, by filling an interspace between a first electrode (1) and a second electrode (2) of the discharge reactor with a block (4) of rigid, open-pored dielectric material. The material preferably has a porosity of 80-90%. The skeleton of the block can consist of glass, quartz or ceramic. The diameter of the pores in the block, in which micro-discharges occur, represents an effective gap width that is critical for the progress of the silent discharge. The diameter of the pores can, for example, be between 0.05 millimeters and 0.2 millimeters to optimize power consumption. As a safeguard against breakdown, a barrier layer (5) of a nonconductive, solid material can be provided between the electrodes (1, 2). To facilitate a reaction of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to form methanol and water, or to facilitate a reaction of CO.sub.2 and CH.sub.

Abstract: So that fuels can be produced efficiently from an undesirable greenhouse gas, the gas is subjected, together with a catalyst gas, preferably nitrogen or nitrous oxide, and a hydrogen-containing gas or vapour, to a silent electric discharge in a 1st reactor (4). In the process, excited or ionized atoms and/or molecules are formed which are converted, in a catalyst reactor (8) comprising a copper-containing 1st catalyst (8'), to H.sub.2 and possibly CO. Via an expansion valve (9), a liquid (13) separates from a fuel in a liquid vessel (11). Gases escaping from the liquid vessel (11) are passed over a thermal reactor (14) containing a 2nd catalyst (15) and expanded via an expansion valve (16). In a downstream liquid vessel (11') CH.sub.3 OH, for example, separates as the desired liquid fuel (13'). The 1st reactor (4) and the thermal reactor (14) may be combined in a container comprising a plurality of reaction chambers which are parallel to one another.

Abstract: The high-power radiator includes a discharge space (12) bounded by a metal electrode (8), cooled on one side, and a dielectric (9) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture, both the dielectric (9) and also the other electrode situated on the surface of the dielectric facing away from the discharge space (12) being transparent for the radiation generated by quiet electric discharges. In this manner, a large-area UV radiator with high efficiency is created which can be operated at high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.

Abstract: The high-power radiation source for visible light includes a discharge space (4) bounded by dielectrics (1, 10) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture. Adjacent to the dielectrics (1,10) are luminescent coatings (5,11). Both the dielectric (1,10) and the electrode (6,12) situated on the surfaces of the dielectrics facing away from the discharge space (4) are transparent to the radiation generated by the dark electrical discharges. In this way, a large-area radiation source with high efficiency is provided which can be operated with high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.

Abstract: The high-power radiator includes a discharge space (4) bounded by dielectrics (1, 2) and filled with a noble gas or gas mixture and electrodes (5, 6). The electrodes (5, 6) are transparent to the radiation produced by silent electrical discharges and are, situated on the surfaces of the di-electrics facing away from the discharge space. In this manner, a large-area UV radiator with high efficiency is produced which can be operated with high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.

Abstract: The high-power radiator comprises a discharge space (12) bounded by a metal electrode (8), cooled on one side, and a dielectric (9). The discharge space (12) is filled with a noble gas or gas mixture. Both the dielectric (9) and the other electrode situated on the surface of the dielectric (9) facing away from the discharge space (12) are transparent for the radiation generated by quiet electric discharges. In this manner, a large-area UV radiator with high efficiency is created which can be operated at high electrical power densities of up to 50 kW/m.sup.2 of active electrode surface.

Abstract: A method and device for removing solid or liquid particles contained in suspension in a gas stream by an electric field, wherein the gas stream flow is directed past ion sources which simultaneously act as field electrodes. The suspended particles are thereby changed in a bipolar manner, such that approximately half of the particles are positively charged and the other half negatively charged, and are forced by the electric field to migrate across the gas stream into a preferred neutralization zone where they are concentrated, discharged, partially agglomerated and coagulated. Subsequently, the particle-enriched and particle-depleted partial gas stream thus formed are separated and treated further in accordance with operating requirements. Thereby the remaining gas stream maximally loaded with particles is fed into a particle-removal device where their withdrawal occurs.