A pyrolysis study on C4–C8 symmetric ethers.

Pyrolysis of diethyl (C 4), di-n-propyl (C 6), di-isopropyl (C 6) and di-n-butyl (C 8) ethers were studied in a jet-stirred reactor between 720 and 1140 K, at 10 atm with an initial ether mole fraction of 0.1%. Major common pyrolysis products were observed to be CO, CH 4 , H 2 , and C 2 H 4. All ethers produced the n/2 alcohol and olefin as products of molecular reaction to a small extent. Under pyrolysis conditions at 10 atm, hydrogen abstraction reactions by H atoms and CH 3 radicals were found to be important. Acetylene and benzene were formed for all ethers when T > 1000 K. A kinetic mechanism is used to represent these results. This study shows that there is need of systematic studies in determining site specific rate constants of important fuel related reactions of ethers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]