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High-temperature pyrolysis of toluene

Journal Article · · J. Phys. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100292a034· OSTI ID:6628546

The thermal decomposition of toluene has been investigated by two independent shock tube techniques: time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry and laser-schlieren densitometry. These studies cover the temperature range 1550-2200 K for pressures 0.2-0.5 atm. C/sub 2/H/sub 2/, C/sub 4/H/sub 2/, CH/sub 4/, and C/sub 7/H/sub 7/ were identified as major species along with lesser amounts of C/sub 2/H/sub 4/, C/sub 6/H/sub 2/, and C/sub 6/H/sub 6/. The laser-schlieren profiles require a dominance by CC scission to phenyl and methyl with a rate constant log k (s/sup -1/) = 12.95-72.6 (kcal)/2.3RT for 1600-2100 K and 0.5 atm. Such dominance is also required to produce the methane seen in the TOF spectra. A mechanisms is proposed which proposed an excellent description of density gradient and major species concentration profiles over this range.

Research Organization:
Univ. of New Orleans, LA
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-85ER13340; FG02-85ER13384
OSTI ID:
6628546
Journal Information:
J. Phys. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Phys. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 91:8; ISSN JPCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English