The cool-flame combustion of decane
Three approaches have been used to elucidate the mechanism of combustion of decane in the cool-flame region. First, measurements have been made of cool-flame and ignition parameters. These show a well defined change in activation energy at about 530 K. Second, analytical studies have been made of the effect of increasing temperature on the combustion products. These indicate that hydroperoxide formation ceases and that C 10 O-heterocycles become the predominant products at 500-530 K; the relative amounts of decanal and decanone do not however change. Finally, small amounts of hydrogen bromide have been added. These cause the complete conversion of hydroperoxides into decanones even at low temperatures; no lower carbonyl compounds are formed above 500 K. This work has led to two principal conclusions. One, which is shown by all three methods of study, is that the cool-flame combustion of decane involves two distinct mechanisms with a transition at 500-530 K. The other is that the selectivity of initial oxidative attack on decane remains low over the whole of the slow combustion and cool-flame regions between 440 and 680 K, suggesting that hydroxyl radicals are the main attacking species throughout.