Additive effect of hydrocarbons on OH radical production in H2 oxidation

Mixtures of hydrocarbons (methane, allene, propyne, propene, and propane)–H2–O2 highly diluted with argon were heated to a temperature ranging from 1200 to 1900 K behind reflected shock waves, and the additive effects of methane, allene, propyne, propene, and propane on OH radical production in H2 oxidation were studied by observing time-resolved UV-absorption (306.7 nm). It was found that, in H2 oxidation below 1500 K, the addition of these hydrocarbons prolonged the delay time of the onset of the rapid OH radical production. An analysis using reported kinetic modeling of C1–C4 oxidation gave valuable information for reactions between hydrocarbons and H, O atoms and OH radicals. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 50–55, 2005