Chemical synthesis using electrically augmented flames and diffuse discharges

Abstract

An electrically augmented flame burner in which a high-voltage, low-current ac discharge was superimposed on a propane-air flame seeded with potassium carbonate has been used for the synthesis of various chemicals in the gas phase. Maximum concentrations of 7.65% by volume of acetylene and 2.25% by volume of ethylene were obtained from rich augmented flames, and concentrations of up to 3% nitric oxide from lean flames. Similar discharges have been established in air by turning off the fuel supply to an augmented flame, and in argon, nitrogen, and oxygen by gradually replacing the air in such a discharge with these gases. Seeding with potassium carbonate was necessary at all times to maintain a stable discharge. Propane has been converted to acetylene and ethylene in an argon discharge and to acetylene, hydrogen cyanide, and cyanogen in a nitrogen discharge. Nitric oxide and traces of ozone were produced in other experiments on nitrogen and oxygen discharges.