Kinetic study of NO/sub x/ formation and removal processes in combustion streams. First quarterly technical progress report, June 6, 1982-August 31, 1982

The production of nitric oxide from combustion of hydrocarbon fuels with air has been recognized to be a serious potential health hazard. In dirtier fuels such as coal and oil shale, a major source of nitric oxide occurs due to the reactions of small hydrocarbon fragments with the nitrogen in the air. These reactions take place in the rich part of the combustion flame and are termed the Prompt-NO mechanism. However, the detailed reaction sequence and rates of these reactions are not well known. The purpose of this work is to directly measure key reaction rates of the CH radical and subsequent HCN reactions which form the basis for Prompt-NO production. During this initial Quarter, production and detection methods for CH were devised and tested, and preliminary rate measurements made for the reaction of CH + N/sub 2/ at 300 K.