An Experimental Study of 2-Propanol Pyrolysis Chemistry.

Area of Science:

• Chemical Kinetics
• Combustion Science
• Reaction Mechanism Elucidation

Background:

• Understanding alcohol pyrolysis is crucial for fuel combustion and chemical synthesis.
• 2-Propanol (isopropyl alcohol) is a relevant C3 alcohol with complex decomposition pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the pyrolysis of 2-propanol under various temperature and pressure conditions.
• To measure the production of key stable intermediate species during pyrolysis.
• To validate and refine existing kinetic models for C3-C4 alcohol combustion.

Main Methods:

• Pyrolysis experiments conducted in a rapid compression facility (RCF).
• Temperatures: 965–1193 K; Pressures: 4.4–10.0 atm; Times: 2–47 ms.
• Species analysis using fast-gas sampling and gas chromatography (GC).

Main Results:

• Significant dehydration leading to propene and H atom abstraction forming methane and acetone were identified as major pathways.
• Experimental results showed low sensitivity to pressure changes, indicating high-pressure reaction limits.
• Good overall agreement between experimental data and a C3-C4 alcohol kinetic mechanism was observed.

Conclusions:

• The kinetic model accurately captured 2-propanol pyrolysis for most conditions.
• Discrepancies noted in 2-propanol consumption at 1193 K and ethane production at 965 K suggest areas for model improvement.