Critical Phenomena in the Oxidation and Self-Inflammation of Hydrocarbons

MESSRS. NEUMANN and Aivazov direct attention1 to the negative temperature coefficient of the combustion of hydrocarbon mixtures under certain conditions; this phenomenon, which has also been referred to by Pease2 and by Beatty and Edgar3, seems well established. The explanation given in the letter is a formal presentation of the views which have been put forward in various communications dealing with hydrocarbon combustion, the peroxide theory and knock in engines. The step A B is the normal process whereby the hydrocarbon is oxidised to aldehyde.