Thermal Reactions of Methylene Chloride in Methane/Argon Mixtures

Abstract

Pyrolysis of methylene chloride-methane mixture (6.7% & 26.7%) in argon bath were studied over the temperature range of 1023-1323°K at atmospheric pressure, residence times ranging from 0.1 to 2 seconds, and the CH₂Cl₂:CH₄:Ar of 6.7:26.7:66.6 molar percent, respectively. Heterogeneous (reactor wall) reactions were (bund to be insignificant in reactors of lower surface to volume ratios (larger diameter). Major products analyzed at temperatures below 1173°K include C₂H₄, C₂H₆, CH₃Cl, C₆H₆, and HCl. Trace amounts (≤ 1%) of CCl₄, C₂H₂Cl₂, C₂HCl₃, C₂Cl₄ were identified at lower reaction temperatures ( < 1123°K). An initial elementary reaction mechanism (74 step) was developed and shown to fit the data very well.