Heterogeneous reactions in the photochlorination of propane

✍ Scribed by Bruno Boval; J. M. Smith

• Publisher: American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Year: 1970
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 722 KB
• Volume: 16
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0001-1541
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.690160409

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

An experimental study of the photochlorination of propane was undertaken to assess the significance of heterogeneous termination steps (wall reactions). Data were obtained in 2‐ and 10‐mm. I.D. tubular flow reactors with varying oxygen concentrations. The results indicated that homogeneous terminations were dominant in the large reactor, and heterogeneous ones were dominant in the small unit. A kinetic scheme which explained the data was proposed. It included two parallel termination steps: a second‐order homogeneous reaction between C~3~H~7~. and oxygen and a first‐order heterogeneous reaction between C~3~H~7~. and the reactor wall.

Even though the data were taken in the laminar flow regime, the rate of reaction was a function of Reynolds number for the 10‐mm. reactor. Kinetic factors may explain these results, but the reasons are not clear. More research in this area is needed.

Data taken in the 10‐mm. reactor packed with quartz cylinders gave results similar to those for the 2‐mm. reactor. This provided confirming evidence for the proposed scheme of parallel, heterogeneous and homogeneous termination steps.