Theoretical Kinetics Predictions for Reactions on the NH2O Potential Energy Surface.

Recent modeling studies of ammonia oxidation, which are motivated by the prospective role of ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel, have indicated significant discrepancies among the existing literature mechanisms. In this study, high-level theoretical kinetics predictions have been obtained for reactions on the NH2O potential energy surface, including the NH2 + O, HNO + H, and NH + OH reactions. These reactions have previously been highlighted as important reactions in NH3 oxidation with high sensitivity and high uncertainty. The potential energy surface is explored with coupled cluster calculations, including large basis sets and high-level corrections to yield high-accuracy (∼0.2 kcal/mol 2σ uncertainty) estimates of the stationary point energies. Variational transition state theory is used to predict the microcanonical rate constants, which are then incorporated in master equation treatments of the temperature- and pressure-dependent kinetics. For radical-radical channels, the microcanonical rates are obtained from variable reaction coordinate transition state theory implementing directly evaluated multireference electronic energies. The analysis yields predictions for the total rate constants as well as the branching ratios. We find that the NO + H2 channel contributes 10% of the total NH2 + O flux at combustion temperatures, although this channel is not included in modern NH3 oxidation mechanisms. Modeling is used to illustrate the ramifications of these rate predictions on the kinetics of NH3 oxidation and NOx formation. The present results for NH2 + O are important for predicting the chain branching and formation of NO in the oxidation of NH3 and thermal DeNOx.

Re-Examination of the N2O + O Reaction.

The reaction of N2O with O is a key step in consumption of nitrous oxide in thermal processes. It has two product channels, NO + NO (R2) and N2 + O2 (R3). The rate constant for R2 has been measured both in the forward and the reverse direction at elevated temperature and is well established. However, the rate constant for the N2 + O2 channel (R3) has been difficult to quantify and has significant error limits. The direct reaction on the triplet surface has a barrier of around 40 kcal mol-1, and it is too slow for the N2 + O2 channel to have any practical significance. Recently, Pham and Lin (2022) suggested an alternative low activation energy reaction path that involves intersystem crossing and reaction on the singlet surface. In the present work, we re-examined a wide range of experiments relevant for the N2O + O reaction through kinetic modeling, paying attention to the impact of artifacts such as impurities and surface reactions. Experimental results from shock tubes and batch reactors on the final NO yield in N2O decomposition, covering temperatures of 973-2200 K and pressures of 0.013-11.5 atm, support k3 ∼ 0, consistent with the high activation energy for reaction on the triplet surface and a low probability of ISC.

Probing High-Temperature Amine Chemistry: Is the Reaction NH3 + NH2 ⇄ N2H3 + H2 Important?

The reaction NH3 + NH2 ⇄ N2H3 + H2 (R1) has been identified as a key step to explain experimental results for pyrolysis and oxidation of ammonia. However, no direct experimental or theoretical evidence for the reaction has been reported. In the present work, the reaction was studied by ab initio theory and by reinterpretation of experimental data. We could not locate a transition state for R1 occurring as a direct process, but alternative mechanisms yielded an upper bound to k1 of 1.5 × 1013 exp(-58.9 kcal mol-1/RT) cm3 mol-1 s-1 over 1000-2500 K, several orders of magnitude lower than values applied in modeling. Consistent with the theoretical work, re-evaluation of NH3 pyrolysis data supported a very low value of k1. However, this finding opens up a novel unresolved issue. Current kinetic models cannot capture the NH3 oxidation behavior in a number of laminar flow reactor and jet-stirred reactor experiments without adopting an improbably high value for k1. Important oxidation steps might be underestimated or missing from mechanisms.

On the Rate Constant for NH2+HO2 and Third-Body Collision Efficiencies for NH2+H(+M) and NH2+NH2(+M).

In low-temperature flash photolysis of NH3/O2/N2 mixtures, the NH2 consumption rate and the product distribution is controlled by the reactions NH2 + HO2 → products (R1), NH2 + H (+M) → NH3 (+M) (R2), and NH2 + NH2 (+M) → N2H4 (+M) (R3). In the present work, published flash photolysis experiments by, among others, Cheskis and co-workers, are re-interpreted using recent direct measurements of NH2 + H (+N2) and NH2 + NH2 (+N2) from Altinay and Macdonald. To facilitate analysis of the FP data, relative third-body collision efficiencies compared to N2 for R2 and R3 were calculated for O2 and NH3 as well as for other selected molecules. Results were in good agreement with the limited experimental data. Based on reported NH2 decay rates in flash photolysis of NH3/O2/N2, a rate constant for NH2 + HO2 → NH3 + O2 (R1a) of k1a = 1.5(±0.5) × 1014 cm3 mol-1 s-1 at 295 K was derived. This value is higher than earlier determinations based on the FP results but in good agreement with recent theoretical work. Kinetic modeling of reported N2O yields indicates that NH2 + HO2 → H2NO + O (R1c) is competing with R1a, but perturbation experiments with addition of CH4 indicate that it is not a dominating channel. Measured HNO profiles indicate that this component is formed directly by NH2 + HO2 → HNO + H2O (R1b), but theoretical work indicates that R1b is only a minor channel. Based on this analysis, we estimate k1c = 2.5 × 1013 cm3 mol-1 s-1 and k1b = 2.5 × 1012 cm3 mol-1 s-1 at 295 K, with significant uncertainty margins.

Ab initio calculations and kinetic modeling of thermal conversion of methyl chloride: implications for gasification of biomass.

Limitations in current hot gas cleaning methods for chlorine species from biomass gasification may be a challenge for end use such as gas turbines, engines, and fuel cells, all requiring very low levels of chlorine. During devolatilization of biomass, chlorine is released partly as methyl chloride. In the present work, the thermal conversion of CH3Cl under gasification conditions was investigated. A detailed chemical kinetic model for pyrolysis and oxidation of methyl chloride was developed and validated against selected experimental data from the literature. Key reactions of CH2Cl with O2 and C2H4 for which data are scarce were studied by ab initio methods. The model was used to analyze the fate of methyl chloride in gasification processes. The results indicate that CH3Cl emissions will be negligible for most gasification technologies, but could be a concern for fluidized bed gasifiers, in particular in low-temperature gasification. The present work illustrates how ab initio theory and chemical kinetic modeling can help to resolve emission issues for thermal processes in industrial scale.

Inhibition and Promotion of Pyrolysis by Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Sulfanyl Radical (SH).

This study resolves the interaction of sulfanyl radical (SH) with aliphatic (C1-C4) hydrocarbons, using CBS-QB3 based calculations. We obtained the C-H dissociation enthalpies and located the weakest link in each hydrocarbon. Subsequent computations revealed that, H abstraction by SH from the weakest C-H sites in alkenes and alkynes, except for ethylene, appears noticeably exothermic. Furthermore, abstraction of H from propene, 1-butene, and iso-butene displays pronounced spontaneity (i.e., ΔrG° < -20 kJ mol-1 between 300-1200 K) due to the relatively weak allylic hydrogen bond. However, an alkyl radical readily abstracts H atom from H2S, with H2S acting as a potent scavenger for alkyl radicals in combustion processes. That is, these reactions proceed in the opposite direction than those involving SH and alkene or alkyne species, exhibiting shallow barriers and strong spontaneity. Our findings demonstrate that the documented inhibition effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on pyrolysis of alkanes does not apply to alkenes and alkynes. During interaction with hydrocarbons, the inhibitive effect of H2S and promoting interaction of SH radical depend on the reversibility of the H abstraction processes. For the three groups of hydrocarbon, Evans-Polanyi plots display linear correlations between the bond dissociation enthalpies of the abstracted hydrogens and the relevant activation energies. In the case of methane, we demonstrated that the reactivity of SH radicals toward abstracting H atoms exceeds that of HO2 but falls below those of OH and NH2 radicals.

Rate constant and thermochemistry for K + O2 + N2 = KO2 + N2.

The addition reaction of potassium atoms with oxygen has been studied using the collinear photofragmentation and atomic absorption spectroscopy (CPFAAS) method. KCl vapor was photolyzed with 266 nm pulses and the absorbance by K atoms at 766.5 nm was measured at various delay times with a narrow line width diode laser. Experiments were carried out with O2/N2 mixtures at a total pressure of 1 bar, over 748-1323 K. At the lower temperatures single exponential decays of [K] yielded the third-order rate constant for addition, kR1, whereas at higher temperatures equilibration was observed in the form of double exponential decays of [K], which yielded both kR1 and the equilibrium constant for KO2 formation. kR1 can be summarized as 1.07 × 10(-30)(T/1000 K)(-0.733) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1). Combination with literature values leads to a recommended kR1 of 5.5 × 10(-26)T(-1.55) exp(-10/T) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1) over 250-1320 K, with an error limit of a factor of 1.5. A van't Hoff analysis constrained to fit the computed ΔS298 yields a K-O2 bond dissociation enthalpy of 184.2 ± 4.0 kJ mol(-1) at 298 K and ΔfH298(KO2) = -95.2 ± 4.1 kJ mol(-1). The corresponding D0 is 181.5 ± 4.0 kJ mol(-1). This value compares well with a CCSD(T) extrapolation to the complete basis set limit, with all electrons correlated, of 177.9 kJ mol(-1).

Temperature and Pressure Dependence of the Reaction S + CS (+M) → CS2 (+M).

Experimental data for the unimolecular decomposition of CS2 from the literature are analyzed by unimolecular rate theory with the goal of obtaining rate constants for the reverse reaction S + CS (+M) → CS2 (+M) over wide temperature and pressure ranges. The results constitute an important input for the kinetic modeling of CS2 oxidation. CS2 dissociation proceeds as a spin-forbidden process whose detailed properties are still not well understood. The role of the singlet-triplet transition involved is discussed.

Glyoxal Oxidation Mechanism: Implications for the Reactions HCO + O2 and OCHCHO + HO2.

A detailed mechanism for the thermal decomposition and oxidation of the flame intermediate glyoxal (OCHCHO) has been assembled from available theoretical and experimental literature data. The modeling capabilities of this extensive mechanism have been tested by simulating experimental HCO profiles measured at intermediate and high temperatures in previous glyoxal photolysis and pyrolysis studies. Additionally, new experiments on glyoxal pyrolysis and oxidation have been performed with glyoxal and glyoxal/oxygen mixtures in Ar behind shock waves at temperatures of 1285-1760 K at two different total density ranges. HCO concentration-time profiles have been detected by frequency modulation spectroscopy at a wavelength of λ = 614.752 nm. The temperature range of available direct rate constant data of the high-temperature key reaction HCO + O2 → CO + HO2 has been extended up to 1705 K and confirms a temperature dependence consistent with a dominating direct abstraction channel. Taking into account available literature data obtained at lower temperatures, the following rate constant expression is recommended over the temperature range 295 K < T < 1705 K: k1/(cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)) = 6.92 × 10(6) × T(1.90) × exp(+5.73 kJ/mol/RT). At intermediate temperatures, the reaction OCHCHO + HO2 becomes more important. A detailed reanalysis of previous experimental data as well as more recent theoretical predictions favor the formation of a recombination product in contrast to the formerly assumed dominating and fast OH-forming channel. Modeling results of the present study support the formation of HOCH(OO)CHO and provide a 2 orders of magnitude lower rate constant estimate for the OH channel. Hence, low-temperature generation of chain carriers has to be attributed to secondary reactions of HOCH(OO)CHO.

Oxidation of reduced sulfur species: carbon disulfide.

A detailed chemical kinetic model for oxidation of CS2 has been developed, on the basis of ab initio calculations for key reactions, including CS2 + O2 and CS + O2, and data from literature. The mechanism has been evaluated against experimental results from static reactors, flow reactors, and shock tubes. The CS2 + O2 reaction forms OCS + SO, with the lowest energy path involving crossing from the triplet to the singlet surface. For CS + O2, which yields OCS + O, we found a high barrier to reaction, causing this step to be important only at elevated temperatures. The model predicts low temperature ignition delays and explosion limits accurately, whereas at higher temperatures it appears to overpredict both the induction time for CS2 oxidation and the formation rate of [O] upon ignition. The predictive capability of the model depends on the accuracy of the rate constant for the initiation step CS2 + O2, which is difficult to calculate due to the intersystem crossing, and the branching fraction for CS2 + O, which is measured only at low temperatures. The governing reaction mechanisms are outlined on the basis of calculations with the kinetic model.

Rate constant and branching fraction for the NH2 + NO2 reaction.

The NH2 + NO2 reaction has been studied experimentally and theoretically. On the basis of laser photolysis/LIF experiments, the total rate constant was determined over the temperature range 295-625 K as k1,exp(T) = 9.5 × 10(-7)(T/K)(-2.05) exp(-404 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). This value is in the upper range of data reported for this temperature range. The reactions on the NH2 + NO2 potential energy surface were studied using high level ab initio transition state theory (TST) based master equation methods, yielding a rate constant of k1,theory(T) = 7.5 × 10(-12)(T/K)(-0.172) exp(687 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), in good agreement with the experimental value in the overlapping temperature range. The two entrance channel adducts H2NNO2 and H2NONO lead to formation of N2O + H2O (R1a) and H2NO + NO (R1b), respectively. The pathways through H2NNO2 and H2NONO are essentially unconnected, even though roaming may facilitate a small flux between the adducts. High- and low-pressure limit rate coefficients for the various product channels of NH2 + NO2 are determined from the ab initio TST-based master equation calculations for the temperature range 300-2000 K. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the measured overall rate constant but tend to overestimate the branching ratio defined as ß = k1a/(k1a + k1b) at lower temperatures. Modest adjustments of the attractive potentials for the reaction yield values of k1a = 4.3 × 10(-6)(T/K)(-2.191) exp(-229 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and k1b = 1.5 × 10(-12)(T/K)(0.032) exp(761 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), in good agreement with experiment, and we recommend these rate coefficients for use in modeling.

Predicted thermochemistry and unimolecular kinetics of nitrous sulfide.

The geometry of N(2)S was obtained at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(T + d)Z level of theory and energies with coupled-cluster single double triple (CCSD(T)) and basis sets up to aug-cc-pV(6 + d)Z. After correction for anharmonic zero-point energy, core-valence correlation, correlation up to CCSDT(Q) and relativistic effects, D(0) for the N-S bond is estimated as 71.9 kJ mol(-1), and the corresponding thermochemistry for N(2)S is Δ(f)H(0)(∘)=205.4 kJ mol(-1) and Δ(f)H(298)(∘)=202.6 kJ mol(-1) with an uncertainty of ±2.5 kJ mol(-1). Using CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(T + d) theory the minimum energy crossing point between singlet and triplet potential energy curves is found at r(N-N) ≈ 1.105 Å and r(N-S) ≈ 2.232 Å, with an energy 72 kJ mol(-1) above N(2) + S((3)P). Application of Troe's unimolecular formalism yields the low-pressure-limiting rate constant for dissociation of N(2)S k(0) = 7.6 × 10(-10) exp(-126 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 700-2000 K. The estimated uncertainty is a factor of 4 arising from unknown parameters for energy transfer between N(2)S and Ar or N(2) bath gas. The thermochemistry and kinetics were included in a mechanism for CO/H(2)/H(2)S oxidation and the conclusion is that little NO is produced via subsequent chemistry of NNS.

Reactions of SO3 with the O/H radical pool under combustion conditions.

The reactions of SO3 with H, O, and OH radicals have been investigated by ab initio calculations. For the SO3 + H reaction (1), the lowest energy pathway involves initial formation of HSO3 and rearrangement to HOSO2, followed by dissociation to OH + SO2. The reaction is fast, with k(1) = 8.4 x 10(9)T(1.22) exp(-13.9 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) (700-2000 K). The SO3 + O --> SO2 + O2 reaction (2) may proceed on both the triplet and singlet surfaces, but due to a high barrier the reaction is predicted to be slow. The rate constant can be described as k(2) = 2.8 x 10(4)T(2.57) exp(-122.3 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) for T > 1000 K. The SO3 + OH reaction to form SO2 + HO2 (3) proceeds by direct abstraction but is comparatively slow, with k(3) = 4.8 x 10(4)T(2.46) exp(-114.1 kJ mol(-) 1/RT) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) (800-2000 K). The revised rate constants and detailed reaction mechanism are consistent with experimental data from batch reactors, flow reactors, and laminar flames on oxidation of SO2 to SO3. The SO3 + O reaction is found to be insignificant during most conditions of interest; even in lean flames, SO3 + H is the major consumption reaction for SO3.

Thermal dissociation of SO3 at 1000-1400 K.

The thermal dissociation of SO3 has been studied for the first time in the 1000-1400 K range. The experiments were conducted in a laminar flow reactor at atmospheric pressure, with nitrogen as the bath gas. On the basis of the flow reactor data, a rate constant for SO3 + N2 --> SO2 + O + N2 (R1b) of 5.7 x 10(17) exp(-40000/T) cm3/(mol s) is derived for the temperature range 1273-1348 K. The estimated uncertainty is a factor of 2. The rate constant corresponds to a value of the reverse reaction of k1 approximately 1.8 x 10(15) cm6 mol(-2) s(-1). The reaction is in the fall-off region under the investigated conditions. The temperature and pressure dependence of SO2 + O (+N2) was estimated from the extrapolation of low temperature results for the reaction, together with an estimated broadening parameter and the high-pressure limit determined recently by Naidoo, Goumri, and Marshall (Proc. Combust. Inst. 2005, 30, 1219-1225). The theoretical rate constant is in good agreement with the experimental results. The improved accuracy in k(1) allows a reassessment of the rate constant for SO3 + O --> SO2 + O2 (R2) based on the data of Smith, Tseregounis, and Wang (Int. J. Chem. Kinet. 1982, 14, 679-697), who conducted experiments on a low-pressure CO/O2/Ar flame doped with SO2. At the location in the flame where the net SO3 formation rate is zero, k2 = k1[SO2][M]/[SO3]. A value of 6.9 x 10(10) cm3 mol(-1) s(-1) is obtained for k2 at 1269 K with an uncertainty a factor of 3. A recommended rate constant k2 = 7.8 x 10(11) exp(-3065/T) cm3 mol(-1) s(-1) is consistent with other flame results as well as the present flow reactor data.

Formation and destruction of CH2O in the exhaust system of a gas engine.

A computational study of chemical reactions occurring in the exhaust system of natural gas engines has been conducted, emphasizing the formation and destruction of formaldehyde. The modeling was based on a detailed reaction mechanism, developed for describing oxidation of C1-C2 hydrocarbons and formaldehyde. The mechanism was validated against data from laboratory flow reactors and from the exhaust system of a full-scale gas engine. A parametric study of the exhaust system chemistry was performed, investigating the effect of temperature, stoichiometry, pressure, and exhaust gas composition. The results indicate a complex interaction between unburned hydrocarbons (UHC), formaldehyde, and nitrogen oxides. Above 850 K, partial oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons may occur, resulting in net formation or net destruction of CH2O depending on the unburned hydrocarbons/CH2O ratio and the reaction conditions. At the typical unburned hydrocarbons/CH2O ratio of 1.0-1.5% for gas engines, net formaldehyde formation may occur in the exhaust system if temperatures above 850 K are reached.