Non-oxidative methane coupling into higher hydrocarbons was investigated in dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) conditions using a stationary catalytic bed (Cu/ZnO/Al2O3). The experiments were carried out at the frequency of about 6 kHz, at 240 degrees C, at the pressure of similar to 1220 hPa and with the overall gas flow rate 2 NL/h (0 degrees C, 1013 hPa). The effects of gas composition on the conversion, the effect of packing on the obtained products and activity of the catalyst under plasma conditions during long-term experiments were studied. Hydrocarbons from 2 to 5 atoms of carbon were identified in the outlet gas. It was found that in the presence of catalyst in plasma zone, overall methane conversion decreased, however the conversion towards ethane was higher, as compared to the process without packing. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.