MS#070602 by Reviewer I

Detail Comments:

This work describes some of the variables employed in the production of

hydrogen and longer hydrocarbons from methane using dielectric barrier
discharge barrier in both non catalytic and catalytic (Cr/Zn) operation modes. It
reads easily, data appear analyzed in some detail, although its innovation is
limited. Several issues summarized below must be addressed.

• The temperature of the catalytic bed should be reported. In the absence

of this is difficult, if not impossible to explain any change in both methane
conversion and product selectivity.

• Methane decomposition under DBD conditions is not a selective process

since many radical reactions are taking place simultaneously. An attempt
should be made to rationalise the rates of formation of individual products
in terms of the radical concentration and specific reaction rates for
individual reaction.

• A critical issue in this process is the quantification of the amount of

carbon formed. A mass balance, including the unknown products, should
be made. A simple balance: C deposited = C inlet – C outlet will provide
an idea on the extent of carbon deposited.

• There are several sentences and words along the text to be clarified. As
probably English is not the mother language of author, revision by a
native speaker is also recommended.

Once these points should be addressed it can be recommended for publication

in the journal.
MS#070602 by Reviewer II

Detail Comments:

The manuscript should be revised before being published according to the

following questions and comments:
1. The applied power was given in W in the text (page 7) while it was in kW
in Figure 1. Please correct it.
2. The word “reused” should be replaced by either “regenerated” or
“reactivated’. It is very hard to follow the text in page 11 and Figures 6a
and 6b.
3. Figure 3b is very hard to see because the similar shades were used.
4. Figure 6 did not specify the studied conditions. Please add the studied
conditions in the figure.
5. Please explain how the catalyst was only able to enhance the hydrogen
selectivity.
6. Please explain why the activity of the catalyst was almost zero after the
third cycle in use.
7. It will be better to compare the energy consumption at different
residence times and with and without catalyst.
It is strongly recommended that the manuscript is needed to improve the
English. There are several grammatical errors.
MS#070602 by Reviewer III

Detail Comments:

The paper was studied in hydrogen production form methane in a

dielectric barrier discharge using oxide zinc and chromium as catalyst. The
author used the plasma method to produce hydrogen. The advantages of
this method are short operating time and (may ) low cost. However, the
hydrogen production from methane in the literature is well-known higher than
70%. The concentration is below than 40%. That is, the hydrogen is not main
product in this process. On the other hand, the hydrogen production was only
enhanced 10% in the presence of oxide zinc and chromium as catalyst. Which
role did the catalyst play in this system? How to improve their system to allow
hydrogen to become a main product did not show in the text by the author.
Hence, the objective of this paper is low.
Therefore, I don’t recommend it to publish in this Journal.