NUCLEAR RADIATION-INDUCED CRACKING OF n-HEXADECANE

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · A.I.Ch.E. (Am. Inst. Chem. Engrs.)J.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690090608· OSTI ID:4129930

Guernsey, E O; Shaw, H; Smith, W E

A representative paraffin hydrocarbon in the gas oil range, n- hexadecane, was irradiated. In the vapor phase radioinduced cracking proceeded efficiently, and G values for radiation conversion of n-hexadecane were 200 to 1200 at temperatures near 750 deg F. Total conversions of nhexadecane were less than 3 wt% and were due only in part to the radiation effect. The distributions of products that were obtained were similar to those that result from thermal cracking of n-hexadecane. There were however significant increases in the yields of hydrogen, reductions in the yields of very light hydrocarbons, and small yields of high molecular weight products. At teraperatures above 850 deg F extensive thermal cracking obscured the effects of radiation. In liquid phase radioinduced cracking at 750 deg F conversions of n-hexadecane up to 15 wt% were obtained at liquid spaces velocities near 4 v/hr/v. In many exposures nearly one- half of the conversion was attributed to the direct utilization of radiation. The corresponding G values were 30 to 60. The products obtained were accounted for by adding together the products that would be expected from a radioinduced reaction producing primarily dimer, from radioinitiated chain propagated cracking, and thermally initiated chain cracking. The product distribution from these reactions can be changed by variation of the cracking temperature and/or radiation dose. (auth)

• Research Organization: Socony Mobil Oil Co., Princeton, N.J.
• NSA Number: NSA-18-003820
• OSTI ID: 4129930
• Journal Information: A.I.Ch.E. (Am. Inst. Chem. Engrs.)J., Journal Name: A.I.Ch.E. (Am. Inst. Chem. Engrs.)J. Vol. Vol: 9
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALKANES
ALKENES
CHEMISTRY
DECOMPOSITION
G-VALUE
HEXADECANE
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION DOSES
TEMPERATURE
VAPORS