PYROLYSIS OF METHYLENE CHLORIDE IN METHANE/NITROGEN BATH USING A FLOW REACTOR

Abstract

Reactions of methylene chloride and methane in nitrogen bath were studied in tubular flow reactors of different diameters (4, 10, and 16 mm ID) over a temperature range of 750 to 1042°C at atmospheric pressure. The concentration ratio of methylene chloride/methane/nitrogen was kept constant at 1:4:10. Acetylene, ethylene, benzene, carbon, and hydrochloric acid were the major products for residence times of 0.08 to 2-5 sec at temperatures above 950°C. Stable chlorinated hydrocarbons detected at lower temperatures (<900°C) include chloromethane, trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. Significant wall effect was observed for surface to volume (S/V) ratios of greater than 10cm^-1. The impact was unimportant at lower S/V (4, and 2.5cm^-1’) ratios.

KEYWORDS:

• Methylene chloride
• Pyrolysis
• Thermal Decomposition
• Flow reactor.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. TAVAKOLI

To whom correspondence should be addressed.

J.A. DONEY

Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.