The kinetics of the combustion of trichloroethylene for low Cl/H ratios

A kinetic model has been developed for the combustion of trichloroethylene (TCE;) under low Cl/H ratio conditions. Flame species concentration profile s, measured for CH4/O-2/Ar flames, reveal that the most important reaction channels in the decomposition of TCE in the CH4/TCE/O-2/Ar flame are the di splacement by H atoms of Cl atoms from TCE, 1,1-dichloroethylene (DCE), and vinyl chloride. The displacement of Cl atoms from TCE by OH also contribut es to the decomposition of TCE, and leads to the production of 2,2-dichloro ethenol, a species unobserved in previous flame studies. Other species foun d in large concentrations in the present CH4/TCE/O-2/Ar flames, but not obs erved in previous TCE/O-2/Ar flame studies at higher chlorine-to-hydrogen r atios, are ketene, chloroketene, and dichloroketene. Finally, the presence of TCE catalyzes the formation of C-3-C-6 hydrocarbons. The presence of sig nificant concentrations of C3H3, C3H4, and C6H6 is consistent with "odd car bon species" mechanisms previously suggested for benzene formation in hydro carbon flames. (C) 1999 by The Combustion Institute.