Oxidation of long chain hydrocarbons by means of low-pressure plasmas

Citation
G. Gambus et al., Oxidation of long chain hydrocarbons by means of low-pressure plasmas, ENERG FUEL, 15(4), 2001, pp. 881-886
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Environmental Engineering & Energy
Journal title
ENERGY & FUELS
ISSN journal
08870624 → ACNP
Volume
15
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
881 - 886
Database
ISI
SICI code
0887-0624(200107/08)15:4<881:OOLCHB>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
Oxidation of several liquid, long chain hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, are nes, and a light gas oil, LCGO, product of a coking process) has been studi ed by using a low-pressure high-voltage oxygen plasma. Olefins were readily oxidized to epoxides and carbonyl compounds, O(P-3) being the active speci es in the plasma. At long treatment times the saturated chains of the olefi ns also reacted to produce secondary alcohols and ketones. These compounds and tertiary alcohols, only when tertiary carbons were present, were obtain ed with alkanes. At 5 min 4-phenyl-1-butene showed reaction mostly on the o lefinic C=C, followed by oxidation of the aromatic ring. At 120 min the ole finic fraction oft;he compound was eliminated and the reaction of the satur ated -CH2-groups represented only 0.6% of the total conversion. LCGO, with a composition of 65.1% alkanes, 34.8% aromatics, and 3.1% olefins, was trea ted under similar conditions used for the model compounds. At 120 min the o lefinic fraction of the mixture was eliminated and the cetane number, a par ameter indicating the quality of fuel oils, was improved by 66% without any additional treatment.