Evaluation of the reaction rate constants for the gas-phase Al-CH4–air combustion chemistry

The most likely reaction pathways and reaction products in the Al-CH₄-O₂-N₂ system are investigated using density functional theory and ab initio calculations. The B3LYP functional with extended 6–311+G(3df,2p) basis set as well as the CBS-QB3 composite method are mainly utilised. Theoretical analysis of corresponding reaction rate constants is also performed with the use of simple theoretical models. A critical overview of current knowledge on combustion-relevant reactions with aluminium compounds is given. On the basis of critical comparison of available experimental kinetic data with theoretical calculations, the approximations for rate constants for 44 reversible elementary reactions involving Al-containing species are recommended for use in combustion issues.