SHOCK-TUBE PYROLYSIS OF CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS - FORMATION OF SOOT

Soot formation during the pyrolysis of chlorinated methanes, their mixtures with methane, and chlorinated ethylenes were studied behind reflected shock waves by monitoring the attenuation of an He-Ne laser beam. An additional single pulse shock tube study was conducted for the pyrolysis of methane, methyl chloride and dichloromethane. The experiments were performed at temp. 1300-3000K, pressure 0. 4-3. 6 bar and total carbon atom concentrations (1-5) multiplied by 10**1**7 atoms/cm**3. The amounts of soot produced in pyrolysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons are larger than those from nonchlorinated counterparts. The sooting behavior and product distribution can be generally explained in terms of chlorine catalysed chemical reaction mechanisms. The pathway to soot from chlorinated methanes and ethylenes with high H:Cl ratio and for chlorinated hydrocarbons with low H:Cl ratio is explained.