Dimethyl ether（DME） conversion with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma and rotary corona discharge (RCD) plasma was investigated.The obvious differences in reaction results were found.From the point view of product distribution

conversion of dimethyl ether and energy consumption

with RCD plasma DME conversion was higher and was hardly affected by the residence time of dimethyl ether

and hydrogen

carbon monoxide and unsaturated hydrocarbons with RCD plasma were more than those with DBD plasma.There was no liquid product with RCD plasma

but the liquid product obtained with DBD plasma consisted of aldehydes

alcohols and methoxy-containing organic compounds

for instance

formaldehyde

methyl alcohol

dimethoxy ethane and so on.Moreover

most compositions of liquid product were methoxy-containing compounds

and the liquid product selectivity was as high as 32.23%.However

energy consumption for the reaction with DBD plasma was more than that with RCD plasma.RCD plasma could obtain stronger pulses of voltage and current which were attributed to convergence of energy for discharge.