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U.S. Department of Energy
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Aromatics oxidation and soot formation in flames

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7107737· OSTI ID:7107737

The research reported here is concerned with the kinetics and mechanisms of aromatics oxidation and soot formation in flames. The scope includes detailed measurements of profiles and stable and radical species concentrations and soot-particle number concentration and size distribution through the reaction zone of low-pressure flat premixed flames. Intermediate species identifications and net reaction rates calculated from the profile measurements are used to test postulated reaction mechanisms. The aromatics oxidation work is focused mainly on benzene, and the soot formation work is primarily concerned with the particle inception or nucleation stage. Particular objectives are to identify and to determine rate constants for the main benzene oxidation reactions in flames, and to characterize the soot precursor species and the mechanisms and kinetics of the transition from molecules to nascent soot particles. To these ends stable and radical species concentrations and soot particle size and concentrations are measured as functions of distance or time through the reaction zone of low-pressure premixed flat flames. From the data, net reaction rates are calculated and possible reaction mechanisms are identified and subjected to critical testing and kinetics evaluation. 64 refs., 29 figs., 3 tabs.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/ER
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-84ER13282
OSTI ID:
7107737
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/13282-7; ON: DE90008950
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English