THE OXIDATION REACTIONS OF ACETYLENE AND METHANE,

Abstract

The high temperature oxidation reactions of acetylene and methane were studied in shock waves using two techniques. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used to determine the concentration of reactants, intermediates and products at 50 microsec. intervals throughout the reaction. In another apparatus the chemiluminescent radiation emitted by CH and C2 and the ionization accompanying the oxidation was monitored. The oxidation of acetylene proceeds by fast chain branching reactions. The oxidation is accompanied by chemi-ionization. The C3H3+ion was observed in abundance early in the reaction. A cyclic structure is proposed for this ion. The oxidation of methane is characterized by an induction period which is followed by fast chain branching reactions. A mechanism involving a straight chain reaction to produce an intermediate which itself takes part in chain branching reactions is suggested. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0604493

Entities

People

  • G. B. Kistiakowsky
  • G. P. Glass
  • H. Niki
  • V. Mitchell

Organizations

  • Harvard University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acetylenes
  • Alkynes
  • Chain Reactions
  • Chemical Reactions
  • High Temperature
  • Ionization
  • Mass Spectrometers
  • Oxidation
  • Radiation
  • Shock Waves
  • Spectrometers

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Chemistry (specifically Chemical Fluorescence)
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics