Chemistry Of Hydrocarbon Combustion

The scientific and economic importance of the high-temperature reactions of hydrocarbons in both the presence and absence of oxygen cannot be overemphasized. A vast chemical industry exists based on feedstocks produced by the controlled pyrolysis of hydrocarbons, while uncontrolled combustion in air is still among the most important sources of heat and mechanical energy. The detonation and explosion of hydrocarbon-oxidant mixtures can however, be a highly dangerous phenomenon which destroys lives and equipment. In order that control can be exerted over combustion processes, a complete description of hydrocarbon oxidation and pyrolysis is required. A major contribution to this is an understanding of the unstable intermediates involved and their reactions. The aim of this book is to review our knowledge of the chemistry of hydrocarbon combustion and to consider the data which are available for relevant reactions. Chapter 1 describes early studies in which the apparent complexity of the chemistry was established and the type of information required for a better understanding was defined. Experimental studies of the overall process which were carried out with the aim of establishing the sequence of stable chemical intermediates and some of the unstable species are described in Chapter 2. The limited nature of the information thus obtained showed that independent studies of individual reactions involving the unstable species were required. In Chapter 3 investigations specifically aimed at the determination of the kinetics of elementary reactions are discussed.

The Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Fuels is concerned with the chemical aspects of hydrofuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Topics covered include diagenesis and catagenesis, processing of natural gas and petroleum fractions, coal combustion, and chemicals that can be obtained from fuels. This book is comprised of 14 chapters and begins with a comprehensive treatment of the formation of fuels from accumulated organic matter, along with the organic geochemistry of coal, oil, and gas. The following chapters focus on the composition of hydrocarbon fuels and some of their important physical properties. Production and use of synthesis gas, alternate fuels from coal, and oxygenated fuels are considered. The remaining chapters deal with some of the chemistry of separation, refining, and use of hydrocarbon fuels. This monograph is written primarily for practicing scientists and engineers, fuel scientists, petroleum chemists, and those who are new to the field of fuel science and seek an introduction to fuel chemistry.

This book was written to bring together under one cover a detailed look at the chemistry (and some physics) of combustion of hydrocarbon fuels that will satisfy experts in the field, and at the same time allow the less well prepared student to understand the basic principles involved.

Superseding Gardiner's "Combustion Chemistry", this is an updated, comprehensive coverage of those aspects of combustion chemistry relevant to gas-phase combustion of hydrocarbons. The book includes an extended discussion of air pollutant chemistry and aspects of combustion, and reviews elementary reactions of nitrogen, sulfur and chlorine compounds that are relevant to combustion. Methods of combustion modeling and rate coefficient estimation are presented, as well as access to databases for combustion thermochemistry and modeling.

Work supported by the Office of Standard Reference Data, National Bureau of Standards, Naval Sea Systems Command, Department of the Navy, and Division of Conservation, Research and Technology, Energy Research and Development Administration.

The combustion properties of organic materials are used to assess their safety specifications. This knowledge is necessary to avoid potentially disastrous fires. The experimental determination of the combustion properties of a new organic compound is laborious and sometimes even impossible. This book describes methods for the determination and prediction of the combustion properties of organic compounds, along with some examples and exercises.