AN INVESTIGATION OF THE GAS-PHASE OXIDATION OF ACETALDEHYDE BY MEANS OF A RAPID-SCANNING MASS SPECTROMETER

Abstract

A mass spectrometer equipped for continuous sampling and capable of producing 60 spectra per second has been used to follow the oxidation of acetaldehyde at temperatures in the region of 250 °C. In normal slow oxidation peracetic acid was formed and then decomposed into carbon dioxide, methanol, and water. Under flame conditions peracetic acid built up in an autocatalytic manner during the induction period and vanished suddenly at the onset of the flame. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed. Temperature surges during cool and hot flames are estimated.