SURFACE EFFECTS IN BUTANE OXIDATION

Abstract

The oxidation of butane is considerably affected by the nature of the vessel surface. With a silica vessel, vigorous combustion accompanied by multiple cool flames occurs between 280 °C and 320 °C. These reactions are strongly inhibited when the vessel walls are coated with metal oxides or metal halides. Higher pressures are required for ignition at all temperatures. Of the compounds studied, lead monoxide is the most effective inhibitor. The results suggest that in the antiknock action of lead tetraethyl the true inhibitor is lead monoxide.