THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RADIATION ON THE LOW-TEMPERATURE OXIDATION OF PROPANE

The effect of gamma radiation on the partial oxidation of proppane with oxygen was studied in a Pyrex glass tubular reactor. Experimental runs were made in an out of a Co/sup 60/ source which provided a gamma field of about 250,000 roentgens per hous; at feed gas temperatures of 350, 375, and 395 deg C; at residence times in the reactor of 2, 5, and 10 sec; and at mole ratios of propane to oxygen of 3:1, 5:1, and 10:1. Peroxides, methanol, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde were found by mass spectrograph analysis to occur in significant effect on the yileds of each. Other products detected in at least some runs include ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, s of 5:1 generally increased the yields of peroxides, methanol, amounts of oxides of carbon at the following conditions: contace times less than 6 to 8 sec, and temperatures of 375 deg C and expecially 250 deg C. The aldehyde yields in particular were increased in some cases by as much as 100 to 200%. (auth)