The use of argon as a buffer gas for isolating of the reaction zone from chemical reactor walls for ethane conversion process was studied experimentally. Gas-phase conditions are ensured for realization of chemical processes in such reactors. Reagents are heated by radiation from a continuous CO2 laser. The value of ethane conversion changes upon variation in the flow rate of argon. Changing the laser generation wavelength in the range of 938-972 cm(-1) was shown to affect the degree of ethane conversion at close values of laser radiation power. It was found that ethane can be used instead of argon to form the reaction zone. (C) 2012 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.