Thermal explosion in a binary homogeneous mixture

Abstract

Self-heating processes in binary homogeneous mixtures are studied based on the analysis of phase trajectories on the heating rate–temperature plane. The proposed approach allows determining the characteristic regions of exothermic reactions in the parametric diagram of the Todes criterion versus the Semenov criterion. Generalized strict criteria for the degeneration of thermal explosion are determined for reactions with low activation energy and reactions with a low thermal effect for any reaction orders. An approximating formula describing the dependence of the Todes criterion on the Semenov criterion is derived for calculating the critical conditions of thermal explosion up to its complete degeneration for reaction orders higher (or equal to) one. A criterion for the applicability of the classical thermal explosion theory as a special case of the proposed model is found. A diagram of the critical parameters in the introduced new variables is considered to predict and control the self-heating kinetics of mixtures.