High temperature pyrolysis of 1,5-cyclooctadiene and 4-vinylcyclohexene in shock waves

1,5-cyclooctadiene or 4-vinylcyclohexene mixture diluted with argon was heated to temperatures in the range 880–1230 K behind reflected shock waves. Profiles of IR-laser absorption were measured at 3.39 μm. From these profiles, rate constants k₁ and k₂ for the decyclization reactions 1,5-cyclooctadiene → biradical and 4-vinylcyclohexene → biradical were evaluated as k₁ = 5.2 × 10¹⁴ exp(?48.3 kcal/RT) s^?1 and k₂ = 3.5 × 10¹⁴ exp(?55.3 kcal/RT) s^?1, respectively. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High temperature pyrolysis of methane in shock waves. Rates for dissociative recombination reactions of methyl radicals and for propyne formation reaction

The pyrolysis of 2% CH₄ and 5% CH₄ diluted with Ar was studied using both a single–pulse and time–resolved spectroscopic methods over the temperature range 1400–2200 K and pressure range 2.3–3.7 atm. The rate constant expressions for dissociative recombination reactions of methyl radicals, CH₃ + CH₃ → C₂H₅ + H and CH₃ + CH₃ → C₂H₄ + H₂, and for C₃H₄ formation reaction were investigated. The simulation results required considerably lower value than that reported for CH₃ + CH₃ → C₂H₄ + H₂. Propyne formation was interpreted well by reaction C₂H₂ + CH₃ → P-C₃H₄ + H with ?? = 6.2 × ¹⁰12 exp(?17 kcal/RT) ^cm3 mol^?1 s^?1.     

Homogeneous pyrolysis of acetylacetone at high temperatures in shock waves

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of acetylacetone has been studied in a shock tube in the temperature range of 1120–1660 K. Detailed analyses of CO and H₂O formation data indicate that H₂O is formed by a four-center molecular channel, whereas CO is formed by the rapid dissociation of CH₃CO produced by the C? C bond dissociation of acetylacetone. The Arrhenius equations for H₂O and CH₃CO formation channels are ??₂ = 10^14.24±0.21 exp(?60,800 ± 1,220/RT)sec^?1 and ??₃ = 10^17.05±0.28 exp(?74,600 ± 1,680/RT) sec^?1, respectively. The results of the study suggest that the six-center molecular channel for the production of acetone and ketene is not important under the condition used in this investigation.     

Further experiments on pyrolysis of 2,2-dimethylpropane behind shock waves

Pyrolysis of a dilute mixture of neopentane (2,2-dimethylpropane) has been studied behind incident shock waves at an average pressure of 0.35 atm; the reaction was followed by absorption spectroscopy for H atoms. In the temperature range 1230–1455 K, the rate constant for dissociation of neopentane to t-butyl and methyl radicals is 1.1 E 13 exp(?62 kcal/RT) s^?1. These data and some of the literature results, between 1000 and 1450 K, can be fitted by an RRKM model of the hindered Gorin type, with five active internal rotors in the complex. To match our data with other literature data down to 800 K, a vibrational model was more satisfactory, but this did not fit very low pressure pyrolysis data in the 1000–1100 K range. Apparently, the VLPP data are too high because of heterogeneous processes or chain reactions.     

Nonisothermal effects in the process of soot formation in ethylene pyrolysis behind shock waves

The nonisothermal nature of hydrocarbon pyrolysis explains the differences in the critical temperatures of soot formation in the experimental studies of these processes. When reaction heats are taken into account, the critical temperatures become close to 1600 K for all the systems studied. The estimated standard enthalpy of carbon atom formation in the composition of soot particles is δH_{f, z}. ≈ 11 ±6 kJ/mol. A kinetic model is proposed for soot formation in ethylene pyrolysis that describes the experimental data. The calculated temperature of soot particles may differ substantially depending on the choice of a model for energy exchange in collisions.     

High temperature pyrolysis of novolac resin biomass composites

Composites of novolac resin (N.R.) and biomass derived from olive stones (OL.B.), in various proportions, were cured with hexamethylenetetramine (HTA) and pyrolyzed up to 900°C. The pyrolysis mechanism was monitored using TGA and gas chromatography. The pyrolysis regions, as well as important pyrolysis parameters of the materials used, were determined. Cured and pyrolyzed composites of N.R./OL.B. varied from 20/80 to 75/25, exhibiting at temperatures up to approx. 600°C lower weight losses than expected by the rule of mixtures, owing to additional cross linkages of lignin with HTA. This stabilization effect vanished during pyrolysis at higher temperatures because of the breaking of other chemical bonds, e.g. cross linkages. The release of CH₄ during the pyrolysis of OL.B. is derived from the lignin contained in OL.B. The other gases, CO, CO₂ and H₂, could be formed from celluose, hemicellulose and lignin which are the main components of OL.B. The use of N.R. in the initial mixture with OL.B. reduces the weight losses during pyrolysis compared with OL.B. alone. A heating rate of 10°C/min was necessary for the carbonization processes of OL.B. and its mixtures with N.R. in order to promote minimum weight loss of material and minimum pyrolysis time.     

Cyanogen pyrolysis and the CN + NO reaction behind incident shock waves

The reaction chemistry of C₂N₂? Ar and C₂N₂? NO? Ar mixtures has been investigated behind incident shock waves. Progress of the reaction was monitored by observing the cyano radical (CN) in absorption at 388.3 nm. A quantitative spectroscopic model was used to determine concentration histories of CN. From initial slopes of CN concentration during cyanogen pyrolysis, the rate constant for C₂N₂ + M → 2CN + M (1) was determined to be k₁ = (4.11 ± 1.8) × 10¹⁶ exp(?47,070 ± 1400/T) cm³/mol · s. A reaction sequence for the C₂N₂? NO system was developed, and CN profiles were computed. By comparison with experimental CN profiles the rate constant for the reaction CN + NO → NCO + N (3) was determined to be k₃ = 10^{(14.0 ± 0.3)} exp(?21,190 ± 1500/T) cm³/mol · s. In addition, the rate of the four-centered reaction CN + NO → N₂ + CO (2) was estimated to be approximately three orders of magnitude below collision frequency.     

Soot formation in the pyrolysis of benzene,methylbenzene, and ethylbenzene in shock waves

Soot formation in the pyrolysis of benzene, methylbenzene, and ethylbenzene and in the oxidative pyrolysis of benzene in shock waves has been investigated using an absorption-emission technique. Even in the presence of small amounts of oxygen, soot formation in the pyrolysis of these hydrocarbons is accompanied by a decrease in the temperature of the reacting mixture. The soot yield has been measured as a function of temperature over wide initial reactant concentration ranges. A new, larger value was obtained for the coefficient of light absorption by soot particles at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. A revised, substantially modified kinetic model is suggested for soot formation. This model has been verified against experimental data available from the literature on the time profiles of the concentrations of some key components at the early stages of pyrolysis and oxidation of various hydrocarbons in a wide range of process conditions. The model reproduces fairly well the time dependences of the soot yield and soot particle temperature measured in this study for benzene, methylbenzene, and ethylbenzene pyrolysis.     

Unified kinetic model of soot formation in the pyrolysis and oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in shock waves

The formation of soot particles in the pyrolysis and oxidation of various aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons in argon behind reflected shock waves has been investigated by computational and theoretical methods. The hydrocarbons examined include methane, ethane, propane (aliphatic hydrocarbons with ordinary bonds), acetylene, ethylene, propylene (aliphatic hydrocarbons with multiple bonds), benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene (simplest aromatic hydrocarbons). Soot formation in the pyrolysis and oxidation of both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons can be simulated in detail within a unified kinetic model. The predictive power of the unified kinetic model has been verified by directly comparing the calculated kinetic data for the formation of products and reactive radicals in the pyrolysis and oxidation of various hydrocarbons to the corresponding experimental data. In all calculations, all the kinetic parameters of the unified kinetic model were strictly fixed. A good quantitative fit between the data calculated via the unified kinetic model and experimental data has been attained.     

Validation of a thermal decomposition mechanism of formaldehyde by detection of CH2O and HCO behind shock waves

The thermal decomposition of formaldehyde was investigated behind shock waves at temperatures between 1675 and 2080 K. Quantitative concentration time profiles of formaldehyde and formyl radicals were measured by means of sensitive 174 nm VUV absorption (CH₂O) and 614 nm FM spectroscopy (HCO), respectively. The rate constant of the radical forming channel (1a), CH₂O + M → HCO + H + M, of the unimolecular decomposition of formaldehyde in argon was measured at temperatures from 1675 to 2080 K at an average total pressure of 1.2 bar, k_1a = 5.0 × 10¹⁵ exp(‐308 kJ mol^?1/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. The pressure dependence, the rate of the competing molecular channel (1b), CH₂O + M → H₂ + CO + M, and the branching fraction β = k_1a/(kA_1a + k_1b) was characterized by a two‐channel RRKM/master equation analysis. With channel (1b) being the main channel at low pressures, the branching fraction was found to switch from channel (1b) to channel (1a) at moderate pressures of 1–50 bar. Taking advantage of the results of two preceding publications, a decomposition mechanism with six reactions is recommended, which was validated by measured formyl radical profiles and numerous literature experimental observations. The mechanism is capable of a reliable prediction of almost all formaldehyde pyrolysis literature data, including CH₂O, CO, and H atom measurements at temperatures of 1200–3200 K, with mixtures of 7 ppm to 5% formaldehyde, and pressures up to 15 bar. Some evidence was found for a self‐reaction of two CH₂O molecules. At high initial CH₂O mole fractions the reverse of reaction (6), CH₂OH + HCO ? CH₂O + CH₂O becomes noticeable. The rate of the forward reaction was roughly measured to be k₆ = 1.5 × 10¹³ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 157–169 2004     

Low temperature pyrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose

Unlike the common high temperature pyrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) targeting activated carbon, this study investigates the pyrolytic behaviour of plain CMC at low temperatures ranging between 260 and 300 °C. Preliminary experiments were conducted using differential scanning calorimetry to define the temperature range necessary for the process. Low-temperature pyrolysis was then simulated using thermogravimetric analysis under inert atmosphere. Investigations reveal that a minimum holding temperature of 260 °C is required for an isothermal process, at which pyrolysis is terminated after around 26 min. Increasing exposure temperature reduces pyrolysis time. Within the range of the investigated sample and CMC particle size, no significant effects could be measured regarding the decomposition behaviour. The resulting char was further analysed using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Visual inspection was conducted using scanning electron microscopy. Upon pyrolysis, originally longitudinally shaped CMC was found to be converted into spherical particles of functionalised amorphous carbon with an average particle size of 41 µm.     

Formation of H and D atoms in pyrolysis of 1,3-butadiene and 1,3 butadiene-1,1,4,4,-d4 behind shock waves

Highly dilute mixtures of 1,3-butadiene and 1,3-butadiene-1,1,4,4-d₄ were pyrolyzed behind reflected and incident shock waves, respectively. Concentrations of H and D atoms were measured by resonance absorption spectroscopy. In the early stages of the reaction, nearly equal amounts of H and D were formed from CD₂CHCHCD₂, indicating that loss of H from C₂ followed by loss of D from C₁ is a more important reaction than breaking of the central C? C bond. Overall, rate constants for atom-forming reactions are much slower than rate constants for disappearance of butadiene in earlier experiments, suggesting that most of the butadiene disappears by processes that do not involve H or D atoms or by radicals that produce them rapidly.     

Thermal decomposition of ammonia in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of ammonia was studied by means of the shock-tube and vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy monitoring the concentration of atomic hydrogen. The rate constants of both the initiation reaction and the consecutive reaction were determined directly as and respectively.     

Thermal decomposition of ethane in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of ethane was studied behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range 1200–1700 K and over the pressure range 1.7?2.5 atm, by both tracing the time variation of absorption at 3.39 μm and analyzing the concentration of the reacted gas mixtures. The mechanism to interpret well not only the earlier stage of C₂H₆ decomposition, but also the later stage was determined. The rate constant of reactions, C₂H₆ → CH₃ + CH₃, C₂H₆ + C₂H₃ → C₂H₅ + C₂H₄, C₂H₅ → C₂H₄ + H were calculated. The rate constants of the other reactions were also discussed.     

Thermal decomposition of propane in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of propane was studied behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range 1100–1450 K and the pressure range 1.5–2.6 atm, by both monitoring the time variations of absorption at 3.39 μm and analyzing the concentrations of the reacted gas mixtures. The rate constants of the elementary reactions were discussed from the results. The rate constant expressions, k₁ = 1.1 × 10¹⁶ exp (?84 kcal/RT) s^?1 and k₄ = 9.3 × 10¹³ exp(?8 kcal/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, of reactions C₃H₈ → CH₃ + C₂H₅ and C₃H₈ + H → n-C₃H₇ + H₂ were evaluated, respectively.     

Thermal decomposition of vinylacetylene in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of vinylacetylene (C₄H₄) was studied behind reflected shock waves using both a single-pulse method (reaction time between 0.8 and 3.3 ms) and a time-resolved UV-absorption method (230 nm). The studies were done over the temperature range of 1170–1690 K at the total pressure range of 1.3–2.3 atm. The mechanism was used to interpret both the early and late stages of vinylacetylene decomposition at the high temperatures. It was confirmed that C₄H₄ dissociation proceeded through the following three channels. The rate constant expression of reaction (1) was determined as k₁ = 6.3 × 10¹³ exp(?87.1 kcal/RT) s^?1. The rate constants of the succeeding reactions (chain reaction, C₄H₄ + H → i-C₄H₃ + H₂ and C₄H₄ + H → C₂H₂ + C₂H₃ and decomposition reactions of free radicals, i-C₄H₃ + M → C₄H₂ + H + M) were confirmed or estimated. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The high temperature pyrolysis of ethylbenzene

The thermal decomposition of ethylbenzene has been investigated behind reflected shock waves over the temperature and pressure ranges of 1350–2080 K and 0.25–0.5 atm using a 1.6% C₈H₁₀ ? Ne mixture. Major products of the pyrolysis are C₇H₈, C₇H₇, C₆H₆, C₄H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₂, and CH₄; C₈H₈ appears throughout the temperature range as a minor product. Comparison of the product profiles obtained by time-of-flight mass spectrometry and the results of model calculations strongly supports the initiation step of β C? C bond homolysis for C₈H₁₀ dissociation. A 51 kinetic step reaction mechanism with 24 species was formulated to model the temperature and time dependence of the major products observed in our experiments.     

Autocatalytic waves in the nitric acid–formaldehyde system

Propagating reaction fronts generated in the autocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde by nitric acid have been investigated. The experimental values of the wave velocity ν and those of the maximal reaction rate r_m at a given spatial coordinate have been described by the formulae ν = 2(Dk[CH₂(OH)₂]₀)^1/2 and r_m = 0.247 × k[CH₂(OH)₂]₀², respectively, (D and k constants). Similarities and differences to other nitric acid oxidations have been discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Isomerization of cyclopropane to propylene in shock waves

Cyclopropane mixtures diluted with argon were heated to temperatures in the range 1100–1450 K behind incident and reflected shock waves. The rate of isomerization of cyclopropane to propylene was measured by tracing the time variation of absorption at 3.39 μm. The rate constant expression k = 4.60 × 10¹⁴ exp (−62.5 kcal/RT) s⁻¹ was determined, in accord with extrapolation from lower-temperature experiments.     

Thermal decomposition of 1-butyne in shock waves

1-Butyne diluted with Ar was heated behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range of 1100–1600 K and the total density range of 1.36 × 10^?5?1.75 × 10^?5 mol/cm³. Reaction products were analyzed by gas-chromatography. The progress of the reaction was followed by IR laser kinetic absorption spectroscopy. The products were CH₄, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, allene, propyne, C₄H₂, vinylacetyiene, 1,2- butadiene, 1,3-butadiene, and benzene. The present data were successfully modeled with a 80 reaction mechanism. 1-Butyne was found to isomerize to 1,2-butadiene. The initial decomposition was dominated by 1-butyne → C₃H₃ + CH₃ under these conditions. Rate constant expressions were derived for the decomposition to be k₇ = 3.0 × 10¹⁵ exp(?75800 cal/RT) s^?1 and for the isomerization to be k₄ = 2.5 × 10¹³ exp(?65000 cal/RT) s^?1. The activation energy 75.8 kcal/mol was cited from literature value and the activation energy 65 kcal/mol was assumed. These rate constant expressions are applicable under the present experimental conditions, 1100–1600 K and 1.23–2.30 atm. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.