Additive effect of hydrocarbons on OH radical production in H 2 oxidation

Mixtures of hydrocarbons (methane, allene, propyne, propene, and propane)–H 2 –O 2 highly diluted with argon were heated to a temperature ranging from 1200 to 1900 K behind reflected shock waves, and the additive effects of methane, allene, propyne, propene, and propane on OH radical production in H 2 oxidation were studied by observing time‐resolved UV‐absorption (306.7 nm). It was found that, in H 2 oxidation below 1500 K, the addition of these hydrocarbons prolonged the delay time of the onset of the rapid OH radical production. An analysis using reported kinetic modeling of C 1 –C 4 oxidation gave valuable information for reactions between hydrocarbons and H, O atoms and OH radicals. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 50–55, 2005