Estimation of Rate Constants of Free Radical Reactions from Product Distribution in the Pyrolysis of Propane

Abstract

A set of rate equations for the pyrolysis of propane, where the cencentrations of free radical are eliminated was derived on the assumption that the rates of the initiation and termination reactiQns are much smaller than those of the propagation reactions. The rate constants of free radical reactions in the rate equations were estimated by Marquardt method from the product distribution in the pyrolysis of propane at temperatures from 700e to 7500C. The rate constant of deco position of propyl radical to propylene and hydrogen atom relative to that of decomposition to ethylene and methyl radical was O.797AvO.868. This value is cQmparable with the value of O.0775 in the literature, which was obtained experimentally from the phgto1ysis of aceto e, Similarly, the rate, constants of free radical reactions obtained, for example, from the iphotolysis can be compatied. with the results of pyrolysis.