Shock-initiated exothermic reactions. IV. The oxidation of carbon monoxide

Abstract

Reflected shocks have been used to process mixtures of CO with O₂ or N₂O or NO in the presence of argon. Results for CO-O₂ mixtures led to the value of 19.4 kcal/mole for the activation energy of the rate controlling reaction during the induction period to explosion. The presence of a small amount of hydrogen caused a marked decrease in the ignition delay and it is estimated that about 600 p.p.m. were sufficient for this effect to be significant. The ignition period to explosion of CO-N₂O mixtures appeared to be governed by the rate of N₂O decomposition.   The measured value of the activation energy indicates that energy transfer from CO to N_zO molecules has occurred. The influence of H₂ on this system is reported also. No reaction was induced in CO-KO-Ar mixtures.