Flow systems in the solar furnace and the photolysis of nitrosyl chloride

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports the design, construction, installation, testing, and use of various flow systems in a 2-ft-diam solar furnace. The flow system finally used is more complex than usual, since it was designed to handle a corrosive solution of nitrosyl chloride in carbon tetrachloride. In this flow system the focal spot of the furnace is contained in the center of a 15-mm-diam quartz tube through which solution is pumped at the rate of 500 ml per min. Alternatively the focal spot is in a free-falling stream of solution which impinges on a splash plate immediately after illumination. The flow system achieved two objectives. 1. 1. The separation of the photoproducts before appreciable back reaction occurred. 2. 2. Adequate temperature control without any cooling. The flow system was used to study the photolysis of nitrosyl chloride in carbon tetrachloride solution to form nitric oxide and chlorine. The results can be summarized and compared with those of the static system which was studied previously. Flow System Static System Average quantum yield 0.22 0.023 Average energy stored as percentage of available energy in the 3000–6300 A range 1.71 0.18 These results were obtained without optimization of various experimental parameters such as light intensity, flow rate, concentration, etc.