Shock-Tube Experiments on Inhibition of the Hydrogen—Oxygen Reaction

Abstract

The ignition of hydrogen—oxygen—argon mixtures containing small amounts of CH₄, C₂H₄, CF₃Br, and 1,2‐C₂F₄Br₂ was studied in a shock tube at 970°—1300°K. All four additives inhibited ignition of the gas mixture, higher temperatures being required to give ignition in a given time than when no inhibitor was present. The additives are consumed during the ignition, CH₄ and C₂H₄ being converted mainly to CO, CF₃Br to CF₃H, and C₂F₄Br₂ to C₂F₄ in the relatively rich mixture studied. The data have been correlated in terms of elementary chemical reactions. Pyrolysis of CF₃Br and C₂F₄Br₂ was studied to aid in the interpretation of the inhibition process.