The hydropyrolysis of naphthalene was studied using two separate pieces of flow apparatus. One was operated at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range 1033 - 1173 K, on which the majority of the work was performed, and the other at high pressure, 70 atmospheres of hydrogen, and 1033 - 1073 K. A detailed description of the construction and operation of both pieces of apparatus is given. The following products were identified and quantitatively measured: dihydronaphthalene, indene, toluene, benzene, ethene, ethane, and methane. A number of polynuclear aromatic compounds were also identified but not quantified. The results revealed a complex situation involving back reaction, the involvement of the reactors surface, and the autocatalytic production of benzene and the gaseous products (ethene + ethane + methane). However, a relatively simple explanation was proffered. Its salient features are: (i) the initial formation of polynaphthalenes that may then condense to form liquid droplets - some of which are deposited on the reactor surface; (ii) the subsequent regeneration of naphthalene from these polymeric species, probably through reaction with H<SUP>.</SUP> radicals; (iii) the production of benzene and gaseous products by a radical branching mechanism. It is shown how this may involve polynaphthalene species with benzyne and acetylene acting as branching agents; (iv) the production of graphite-like compounds as a consequence of the liberation of benzene and gaseous products from polynaphthalenes; (v) the production of carbon clusters from liquid droplets of polymers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:638653 |
| Date | January 1991 |
| Creators | Rhodes, J. A. |
| Publisher | Swansea University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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