ETHANE AND PROPANE COPYROLYSIS WITH PROPE NE

Thermal decomposition of the ethane-propene and propane-propene mixtur es (5-25%) was studied in the range of 750-825 degrees C and reaction time 0.2-1.6 sec. The pyrolysis of ethane is strongly inhibited by the presence of propene while the inhibiting effect on the high temperatu re propane pyrolysis is slight and only for large amounts of propene i nto the mixture (over 15%). The yield of ethene is only slightly modif ied by propene in the pyrolysis of propane at high severities. The typ e and concentration of chain-carrying radicals ape modified significan tly only when the propagation of alkane decomposition occurs predomina ntly through hydrogen atoms which are changed into less reactive radic als in reactions with propene. The bimolecular reaction: C3H6 + C3H8 - -> 2C(3)H(7) for the pyrolysis of propane-propene mixtures was confirm ed.