PHOSGENE FORMATION FROM 1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE OXIDATION

The high-temperature oxidation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane can, under cer tain conditions, form the highly toxic byproduct phosgene. Potential r outes of phosgene formation during the high temperature post-flame oxi dation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane are investigated. These include photol ysis reactions, heterogenous wall reactions, reactions of carbon monox ide and molecular chlorine, and high temperature oxidation reactions. Experiments using both extractive and in situ measurement techniques, along with chemical kinetic studies, indicate that phosgene is formed directly in the gas phase as a product of 1,1,1-trichloroethane oxidat ion. We measured up to 29% conversion of 1,1,1-trichloroethane to phos gene at an injection temperature of 1160K and a residence time of 0.1 s. The chemical kinetic model suggests that 1,1,1-trichloroethane conv ersion to phosgene is strongly dependent on temperature and is weakly dependent on initial concentration, equivalence ratio, and residence t ime.