Possibility of a Point Explosion due to the Presence of UV Radiation and Mercury Vapor in the Reaction Medium for Oxidation of Organic Compounds on the Example of Propane

The influence of external factors on the process of low-temperature propane oxidation in the presence of vacuum ultraviolet (UV) radiation (λ = 100–200 nm) and mercury vapor was studied. The modeling of the process of low-temperature propane oxidation taking into account the above external factors was carried out within the framework of the mathematical theory of a point explosion in gases, which allowed consideration of the possibilities for the formation of shock fronts. For numerical computations, the computer program PTS Mathcad Prime 3.1 was used. The results obtained show the possibility of the formation of shock fronts because of the initiation of the process when the reaction medium is exposed to the vacuum UV radiation and mercury vapor and at a certain symmetry of the reaction vessel. The reflection of thermal radiation of the reaction medium and active particles by mercury atoms (vapors) because of their neutrality and focusing of thermal radiation to the center of the reactor because of the symmetry of the reaction vessel, allows one to apply the theory of thermal development of a chain process and to determine the values of parameters for the point explosion. The phenomenon is explained as the formation of a flame front during initiation in the center of the reaction vessel, and mercury vapor reflects the thermal radiation of the reaction to the center of the vessel. When the amount of energy is sufficient for a point explosion, a shock front is generated.