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Mechanisms of ignition in the catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons on noble metals

Conference ·
OSTI ID:126254
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)

The ignition of catalytic oxidation of alkanes on noble metals is controlled by C-H bond scission on an oxygen covered surface. We have studied the ignition-extinction behaviour of methane, ethane, propane, iso-butane, ethylene and propylene in air over Pt and other noble metals foils at atmospheric pressure. The results show a common trend in the ignition-extinction behaviour of the alkanes which correlates well with C-H bond strengths and also a decrease in alkane ignition temperatures with increasing fuel to air ratios as expected if adsorbed O blocks alkane adsorption. This indicates that at low temperatures, alkane adsorption is inhibited by oxygen, while with olefins the opposite trend is observed. This is in contrast to our observations of selective oxidation of hydrocarbons at higher temperatures where adsorbed oxygen apparently assists reaction of the alkanes.

OSTI ID:
126254
Report Number(s):
CONF-950402--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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