Abstract
The pyrolysis of methane in shock waves was studied using TOF mass spectrometry, IR laser absorption, and laser schlieren techniques. The experiments spanned the temperature range 2000-2700 degree K and the pressure range 20-160 kPa. The results indicate that ethylene and acetylene are formed as methane disappears. Computer simulations showed that a quantitative account for these results is afforded by mechanisms involving methyl radical chains. A set of rate constant expressions for one plausible mechanism was derived and shown also to be compatible with other studies of methane decomposition. Molecular-orbital estimates of likely reaction pathways also support this mechanism. It is inferred that methane combustion is accompanied by chain-reaction pyrolysis to a far greater degree than hitherto supposed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 857-868 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | [No source information available] |
State | Published - Jan 1 1975 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)