Abstract
Analysing the experimental results reported in the first paper of this series, we proposed a mechanism on which the incomplete combustion between methane and oxygen occurs.The almost equivalant moles of methane and oxygen react, at first, forming water, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.This reaction proceeds very rapidly and the ratio of the reacted oxygen reaches to almost 100% and a same equilibrium as attained in water gas reaction is brought about among these four com- ponents formed in the reaction.As this first step of reaction being remarkably exothermic, in the second step the unreacted methane is decomposed by the heat of the first reaction probably into radicals, which are easily converted to acetylene.
Based on this mechanism, we made some considerations on the combustion mechanisms hitherto proposed by other authers, and as a result of them we have pointed out that so me conclusions made by them should be revised.Also, reliable explanations could be given on the difference between the experimental results and the theoretical composition in equilibrium.
