Formation of aromatic compounds by cyclopentadiene moieties in combustion processes

• Main Author: Kim, Do Hyong
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Subjects: engineering, environmental
• ISBN: 9780542243158; 0542243156

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) formation and growth from cyclopentadiene (CPD) moieties have been investigated using a laminar flow reactor and molecular modeling. The resonance-stabilized cyclopentadienyl radical is readily formed in flames and can participate in PAH growth to soot by reaction with the pi bonds of aromatic species. Both CPD pyrolysis and computational results indicate that formation of indene and benzene is favored at low temperatures (below 750°C) and formation of naphthalene is favored at high temperatures. Reaction pathways from CPD have further been extended to PAH formation from the reaction of CPD and aromatic compounds with different types of pi bonds. Results indicate that, while the major products from the pyrolysis of CPD, acenaphthylene, styrene and phenanthrene mixtures are from the reaction of CPD to itself rather than to these aromatic compounds with different pi bonds, CPD does add to these compounds to produce larger PAH.
Polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) formation from chlorinated phenols has also been studied. In combustion exhaust gas, chlorinated phenols can produce dioxin as well as PCNs. PCN and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) congener product distributions were consistent with proposed pathways involving phenoxy radical coupling at unchlorinated ortho-carbon sites. Tautomerization of the phenoxy radical coupling and subsequent fusion via H2O loss results in PCDF formation. Competing with this reaction pathway, CO elimination and subsequent fusion via hydrogen and/or chlorine loss was found to produce PCNs. PCDF isomer distributions were found to be weakly dependent to temperature, whereas PCN isomer distributions were found to be more temperature sensitive with selectivity to particular isomers decreasing with increasing temperature.
Results of this research contribute to a better understanding of chemical mechanisms involved in the formation of toxic byproducts and soot in combustion systems.