Oxidation of methylamine

A detailed chemical kinetic model for oxidation of methylamine has been developed, based on theoretical work and a critical evaluation of data from the literature. The rate coefficients for the reactions of CH3NH2+ O2 -> CH2NH2/ CH3NH + HO2, CH3NH2+ H -> CH3+ NH3, CH3NH -> CH2NH2, and CH3NH + O2 -> CH2NH + HO2were calculated from ab initio theory. The mechanism was validated against experimental results from batch reactors, flow reactors, shock tubes, and premixed flames. The model predicts satisfactorily explosion limits for CH3NH2and its oxidation in a flow reactor. However, oxidation in the presence of nitric oxide, which strongly promotes reaction at lower temperatures, is only described qualitatively. Furthermore, calculated flame speeds are higher than reported experimental values; the model does not capture the inhibiting effect of the NH2group in CH3NH2compared to CH4. More work is desirable to confirm the products of the CH3NH + NO reaction and to look into possible pathways to NH3in methylamine oxidation.