HEAT RELEASE KINETICS IN THE REACTION OF DECANE WITH NITRIC-ACID

The kinetics of the reaction of decane with nitric acid (25.07-75.53 % ) at 57.8 to 119 degrees C in an acid-decane-gas triphasic system was studied. The main contribution to the rate of heat release is made by the oxidation of decane with nitrogen dioxide in the organic phase pro ceeding via the mechanism of a degenerate branched-chain reaction. Nit ration plays the role of a chain termination reaction. The acid phase is the source of NO2, whose content increases with oxidation. The equi librium of the nitrogen dioxide distribution in the triphasic system w as analyzed. The kinetic law of the reaction, the dependences of the r eaction constants of the initial and catalytic stages on temperature a nd the acid phase composition were determined. The results allow one t o calculate the rate of heat release in the decane-HNO3 system under a ny conditions of the process.