The Thermal Decomposition of Methane. I. Kinetics of the Primary Decompositionto C2H6 + H2; Rate Constant for the Homogeneous Unimolecular Dissociation of Methane and its Pressure Dependence

Abstract

The pyrolysis of methane has been studied in a static system at temperatures of 995, 1038, 1068, and 1103 K and pressures from 25 to 700 Torr. It was concluded that the initial stages of the reaction can be described by a simple homogeneous, nonchain radical mechanism:[Formula: see text]Initial rates of reaction were measured, based on analysis of hydrogen, ethane, and ethylene, and k1 was found to be pressure dependent and homogeneous. Quantitative agreement was obtained with values of k1 calculated by R.R.K.M. theory. Values of A∞ = 2.8 × 1016 s−1 and E∞ = 107.6 kcal/mol were obtained, the latter appreciably greater than the value of E0 = 103 kcal/mol used in the calculations. Comparison of previous shock-tube and flow-system data at temperatures up to 2200 K showed good agreement with values of k1 obtained by extrapolation of the present R.R.K.M. calculations. It was concluded that in all previous studies, the initial dissociation was in its pressure-dependent region. Estimates were also made of the rate constant for the reverse of [1] and showed fair agreement with recent experimental measurements.