Continuing studies in the design of a monoreagent chemical laser system employing nitrosyl cyanide
The reaction kinetics for the decomposition of nitrosyl cyanide (NCNO) were investigated in a shock tube by means of infrared emission analysis in an attempt to determine the rate constants associated with the proposed unimolecular reaction. Nitrosyl cyanide was diluted to 0.4% in argon so that the unimolecular decomposition pathway could be studied independently of other decomposition reactions. The temperature range of the study was 1420 to 1730K with the total pressure varying from 1 to 2 atm. Kinetic measurements were made by following the decay of emission of the upsilon 1 fundamental at 4.87 mu, upsilon 2 at 6.70 mu, and upsilon 3 at 12.02 mu. The reaction was shown to follow the unimolecular (free radical) pathway. The unimolecular rate constants for the Hinshelwood-Lindemann mechanism wer obtained from the emission-decay data and were converted into second order rate constants. The Arrhenius energy of activation is 28,992 plus or minus 2730 cal/mole. Theoretical calculations based on the RRKM and Slater integrals were completed by numerical computer analysis. The RRKM results were in excellent agreement with experimental data while the Slater results were not in agreement. This finding suggests that under the reported conditions, vibrational equilibrium is maintained during reaction.
- Research Organization:
- Air Force Inst. of Tech., Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (USA). School of Engineering
- OSTI ID:
- 7334265
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-023362; GEP/CH/75D-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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