Pyrolysis and oxidation of decalin at elevated pressures: A shock-tube study

Ignition delay times and ethylene concentration time-histories were measured behind reflected shock waves during decalin oxidation and pyrolysis. Ignition delay measurements were conducted for gas-phase decalin/air mixtures over temperatures of 769-1202 K, pressures of 11.7-51.2 atm, and equivalence ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0. Negative-temperature-coefficient (NTC) behavior of decalin autoignition was observed, for the first time, at temperatures below 920 K. Current ignition delay data are in good agreement with past shock tube data in terms of pressure dependence but not equivalence ratio dependence. Ethylene mole fraction and fuel absorbance time-histories were acquired using laser absorption at 10.6 and 3.39 mu m during decalin pyrolysis for mixtures of 2200-3586 ppm decalin/argon at pressures of 18.2-20.2 atm and temperatures of 1197-1511 K. Detailed comparisons of these ignition delay and species time-history data with predictions based on currently available decalin reaction mechanisms are presented, and preliminary suggestions for the adjustment of some key rate parameters are made. (C) 2013 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.