A computational analysis of the alkane pyrolysis mechanism: Sensitivity analysis of individual reaction steps

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Abstract
The previously reported extensive mechanism for the pyrolysis of propane and n‐butane around 800 K is reexamined in the light of a recent reevaluation of the rate constant data base, and the sensitivity of model simulations to variations in the rate parameters is studied. The pyrolysis rates of butane and the product distribution of propane remain in good agreement with the available experiments, while the rate of propane and the product distribution of butane now show significant differences. The linear sensitivity analysis of the reaction matrix demonstrates an intimate coupling between initiation, hydrogen abstraction, radical decomposition, and recombination reactions as primarily responsible for the overall behavior of the mechanism. The role of unsaturated radicals in the self‐inhibition of the pyrolysis process is quantitatively established. The study of the sensitivity coefficients for butane product formation has permitted pinpointing those specific reaction steps in the mechanism which are most likely responsible for the remaining discrepancies between model and experiment. This particular example demonstrates the usefulness of sensitivity calculations for the isolation of reactions for which improvements in rate parameter values are needed.