Experimental and kinetic modeling studies of 2-ethylfuran pyrolysis at low and atmospheric pressures

Abstract

The pyrolysis of 2-ethylfuran (EF2) in a flow reactor was studied by using synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry at 846 – 1319 K and at 30 and 760 Torr. Over 20 pyrolysis products were detected and measured. A detailed kinetic model was constructed by extending the reported comprehensive 2,5-dimethylfuran model to describe the pyrolysis of EF2 and validated against the current experimental results, including methyl, 2-furylmethyl, propargyl, acetylene , ethylene, propene , ketene, 2-vinylfuran, furan/vinylketene and benzene, etc. Rate of production analysis and sensitivity analysis indicate that the main reaction pathways of EF2 pyrolysis are H-abstraction reactions forming 1-(2-furyl)ethyl and 2-(2-furyl)ethyl, unimolecular decomposition reactions forming 2-furylmethyl, and H-addition reactions forming furan and vinylketene. The corresponding products, 2-vinylfuran, 2-furylmethyl and vinylketene, etc., are indicated to be the most key products in EF2 pyrolysis. Comparisons of the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis of EF2, 2-methylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran show that EF2 had a lower tendency to produce aromatic soot precursors.