Conversion method for gas streams containing hydrocarbons

A method for converting a gas stream containing hydrocarbons to a reaction product effluent containing molecules having at least one carbon atom, comprising the steps of:

• providing an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises,
• a housing having at least one interior surface and at least one exterior surface,
• a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are selectively movable in relation to each other and positioned within the housing so as to be spatially disposed a predetermined distance from each other,
• means for producing a plasma discharge between the first and second electrodes,
• means for passing the gas stream containing hydrocarbons between the first and second electrodes;
• and
• means for collecting a reaction product effluent from the housing;
• producing a plasma discharge between the first and second electrodes;
• introducing a gas stream containing hydrocarbons into the housing, wherein the gas stream is passed into the plasma discharge causing the hydrocarbons within the gas stream to be converted into reacted hydrocarbons having at least two carbon atoms;
• absorbing an absorbable reaction product produced by the reaction of the gas stream containing hydrocarbons with the plasma discharge;
• and
• collecting the reacted hydrocarbons as an effluent from the housing.