Propane has good refrigeration properties, and it does not degrade the ozone as chlorofluorocarbons do. However, its flammability makes it hazardous for refrigeration applications. This project investigated the kinetics of propane oxidation in the presence of fire suppression agents. This was done experimentally in a tubular plug flow reactor and theoretically using the Chemkin kinetic modeling software package. The kinetic model was shown to accurately predict trends in species concentrations as a function of temperature, but discrepancies exist due to reactions occurring outside the reaction zone in the experimental setup. The results of this work show that the decomposition products of CFI (specifically iodine) significantly limit propane oxidation above 750 degrees Celsius. From these results, it can be concluded that both CFI and iodine should be investigated further to determine if they could be used with propane in refrigeration applications.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Rouba, Jason John
• Sienkiewicz, Seth Eric
• Scherpa, Thomas Christopher

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 00D071M

Advisor

• Barnett, Jonathan R.
• Thompson, Robert W.

Year

• 2000

Date created

• 2000-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright