THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF NORMO-DECANE IN THE PRESENCE OF STEAM AT ABOUT 720-DEGREES-C

The thermal degradation of n-decane in a plug reactor is studied at about 720-degrees-C. Products not exclusively of primary type were all titrated using a gas phase capillary chromatography method. The major primary products are ethylene, methane, propene and hydrogen. Ethylene selectivity is approximately 35% at lower passage times (40 to 160 ms). A chain radical-based theoretical mechanism has been used to account for all reaction products qualitatively and to represent the associated stoichiometries for the degradation of initial alcane.