Sampling of Gas-Phase Intermediate Pyrolytic Species at Various Temperatures and Residence Times during Pyrolysis of Methane, Ethane, and Butane in a High-Temperature Flow Reactor

Air pollution in many major cities is endangering public health and causing deterioration of the environment. Particulate emissions (PM) contribute to air as they carry toxic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on their surface. Abatement PM requires continuous strict emission regulation and, parallel, development fuels with reduced formation PM. Key processes are decomposition hydrocarbon synthesis potential precursors that lead benzene rings thereafter growth PAHs eventually Methane, ethane butane important components natural gas liquefied petroleum gas, also widely used transportation, industrial power generation. This paper reports a quantitative investigation intermediate gaseous species present during pyrolysis methane, laminar flow reactor. The aimed further understanding process these subsequent aromatic rings. were carried out tube reactor under conditions within temperature range 869–1213 °C. premixed nitrogen carrier at fixed carbon atom concentration 10,000 ppm, pyrolysed oxygen-free conditions. Intermediate collected from different residence times using specially designed high-temperature ceramic sampling probe arrangements quench freeze reactions entry probe. Identification quantification chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). During methane pyrolysis, it was observed acetylene increased, suggesting ring formed via cyclo trimerisation acetylene. With all three fuels, disappeared higher temperatures times, those converted into than benzene, for example naphthalene. It increasing chain length lowered which fuel breakdown occurred affected relative abundance species.