Product Identification and Mass Spectrometric Analysis of n-Butane and i-Butane Pyrolysis at Low Pressure

The pyrolysis of n-butane and i-butane at low pressure was investigated from 823-1823 K in an electrically heated flow reactor using synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry. More than 20 species, especially several radicals and isomers, were detected and identified from the measurements of photoionization efficiency （PIE） spectra. Based on the mass spectrometric analysis, the characteristics of n-butane and i-butane pyrolysis were discussed, which provided experimental evidences for the discussion of decomposition pathways of butane isomers. It is concluded that the isomeric structures of n-butane and i-butane have strong influence on their main decomposition pathways, and lead to dramatic differences in their mass spectra and PIE spectra such as the different dominant products and isomeric structures of butene products. Furthermore, compared with n-butane,i-butane can produce strong signals of benzene at low temperature in its pyrolysis due to the enhanced formation of benzene precursors like propargyl and C4 species, which provides experimental clues to explain the higher sooting tendencies of iso-alkanes than n-alkanes.

Exploring the Low-Temperature Oxidation Chemistry of Cyclohexane in a Jet-Stirred Reactor:an Experimental and Kinetic Modeling Study

We report the investigation on the low-temperature oxidation of cyclohexane in a jet-stirred reactor over 500-742 K. Synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry （SVUV-PIMS） was used for identifying and quantifying the oxidation species. Major products, cyclic olefins, and oxygenated products including reactive hydroperoxides and high oxygen compounds were detected. Compared with n-alkanes, a narrow low-temperature window （-80 K） was observed in the low-temperature oxidation of cyclohexane. Besides, a kinetic model for cyclohexane oxidation was developed based on the CNRS model [Combust. Flame 160, 2319 （2013）], which can better capture the experimental results than previous models. Based on the modeling analysis, the 1,5-H shift dominates the crucial isomerization steps of the first and second O2 addition products in the low-temperature chain branching process of cyclohexane. The negative temperature coefficient behavior of cyclohexane oxidation results from the reduced chain branching due to the competition from chain inhibition and propagation reactions, i.e. the reaction between cyclohexyl radical and O2 and the de- composition of cyclohexylperoxy radical, both producing cyclohexene and HO2 radical, as well as the decomposition of cyclohexylhydroperoxy radical producing hex-5-en-l-al and OH radical.