The role of back-mixing in the decomposition of methane

Mechanisms proposed by Roscoe and Thompson as well as by Dean were used to investigate the influence of back-mixing on the decomposition of methane. I ncreasing degrees of back-mixing were simulated by decreasing numbers of ve ssels in series. It is shown that back-mixing has a significant effect on t he decomposition of methane; the rate may be increased by more than one ord er of magnitude. The results are important for the simulation of chemical v apor deposition of carbon from methane. This process is usually performed i n how reactors at reduced pressure and low dow rates, which implies that ba ck-mixing or axial dispersion have to be considered. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.