THE OXIDATION, IGNITION, AND DETONATION OF FUEL VAPORS AND GASES: I. A REACTION CHAMBER ADAPTED TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT OF ANTIKNOCKS ON THE RAPID OXIDATION OF FUEL VAPOR AT HIGH TEMPERATURES

Abstract

Slow combustion experiments by conventional laboratory methods show that metallic dopes such as the iron and nickel carbonyls and tetraethyl lead act as antioxidants in respect of the liquid paraffins present in engine fuel, the effect being especially marked at high temperatures. Such an effect failed to account for the results of certain engine experiments which could be interpreted only on the assumption that the metallic dopes promoted oxidation of the 'end gas' which is known to be the seat of knock.The inconsistencies mentioned justified an investigation of conventional laboratory methods of measuring rate of oxidation. This led to the design of a small scale flow method reaction chamber in which a typical paraffin, such as pentane, containing iron carbonyl in small concentration and mixed with air in combining proportions could be oxidized to final products, without explosion, in a time of exposure of one second or less at temperatures rising to 700 °C. Oxidation of the doped pentane was to the final products, carbon dioxide and steam, at all temperatures of reaction, rate of formation of carbon monoxide being barely measurable. On the other hand, the oxidation of pentane alone was accompanied by a profuse liberation of aldehyde, reaching a maximum rate at about 400 °C. and giving a negative temperature coefficient of reaction over the range 400° to 500 °C. Oxidation of the pentane alone occurred at a much lower rate, over the high temperature range, than when it contained iron carbonyl in the usual small proportion ([Formula: see text] of 1%).The new reaction chamber was used less successfully in demonstrating the effect of tetraethyl lead to promote the oxidation of pentane owing to difficulties arising from the properties of lead. A measurable promoting effect was, nevertheless, obtained at all temperatures of reaction.The text has been restricted to an account of the development of a novel type of reaction chamber and to oxidations of pentane necessary for the purpose. The chamber is of more general application.