The tendency of various single-component hydrocarbons to release soot
from a laminar diffusion flame was investigated using experimental res
ults obtained by the authors and other investigators. The hydrocarbon
compounds considered include alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics and
polyaromatics. It was found that the structure of hydrocarbon molecule
s is one of the principal factors governing their sooting tendency in
laminar diffusion flames. The ring is by far the most important molecu
lar or submolecular structure and fused cyclic molecules are the most
prolific sooters. In the case of non-aromatic hydrocarbons, secondary
structural influences that tend to increase the sooting tendency are t
he length of the main chain or ring circumference (in terms of carbon
atoms) and the number, position and length of side-chains.