Effect of Ethanol, Dimethylether, and Oxygen, When Mixed with Acetylene, on the Formation of Soot and Gas Products

The purpose of this research work is to analyze the effect of ethanol, dimethylether (DME), and oxygen on the formation of gas and soot products when mixed with acetylene and reacted under different conditions, the influence of the oxygenated compounds' molecular structure, and the impact of the origin of the carbon and oxygen in the different reacting compounds. Experiments have been carried out in a quartz flow reactor in the temperature interval of 975-1475 K, and gas and soot products have been identified and quantified. Experimental data have been interpreted in terms of a literature detailed gas phase kinetic model. Results show that the presence of ethanol and DME in the reacting mixtures results in a diminution of the production of soot compared to the pyrolysis of pure acetylene; less soot is produced in the pyrolysis of acetylene DME mixtures. The source of C and O is a key factor, being directly related to the soot-forming tendency of the molecules and the different bonds in the molecules. The concentrations of CO, CO2, and the rest of the gaseous compounds found in the outlet stream are related to the different reaction pathways which occur depending on either the presence of the oxygenated compounds or O-2.