Formation and destruction of hydrogen cyanide from atmospheric and fuel nitrogen in rich atmospheric-pressure flames. [Direct sampling of natural flame ions into a mass spectrometer]

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Combust. Flame; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-2180(76)90022-5· OSTI ID:7238940

Morley, C

A novel method involving direct sampling of natural flame ions into a mass spectrometer has been used to measure the concentrations of HCN, NH/sub 3/ and NO in atmospheric-pressure flames. It is found that HCN is formed from N/sub 2/ in the reaction zone of rich hydrocarbon flames and is subsequently completely oxidized within the flame, in part to NO. This corresponds to Fenimore's 'prompt NO'. The amount of HCN formed is proportional to the N/sub 2/ concentration, but is not very dependent on the nature of the fuel (CH/sub 4/, C/sub 2/H/sub 4/ and C/sub 2/H/sub 4/) or on the temperature (between 2000 and 2560 K). It varies strongly with the equivalence ratio and is greater, the richer the flame. In contrast to N/sub 2/, nitrogen compounds in the fuel, whatever their nature (NO, NH/sub 3/, CH/sub 3/CN or pyridine), are converted quantitatively to HCN in the reaction zone of rich hydrocarbon flames. The subsequent disappearance of HCN within the flame has been studied, and between 2300 K and 2560 K the rate is consistent with the reaction CN + OH ..-->.. NCO + H being the rate-limiting step with a rate constant of approximately 1 X 10/sup -10/cm/sup 3/ molecule/sup -1/s/sup -1/, although other mechanisms may be important at lower temperatures.

• Research Organization: Shell Research Ltd., Chester, Eng.
• OSTI ID: 7238940
• Journal Information: Combust. Flame; (United States), Journal Name: Combust. Flame; (United States) Vol. 27:2; ISSN CBFMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201 -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
400800* -- Combustion
Pyrolysis
& High-Temperature Chemistry
AMMONIA
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION KINETICS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
FLAMES
FUEL-AIR RATIO
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROCYANIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
KINETICS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
NITRIC OXIDE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
SPECTROSCOPY
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
YIELDS