The high-pressure pyrolysis of saturated and unsaturated C7 hydrocarbons

Pyrolysis experiments on n-heptane, 1-heptene and 1,6-heptadiene have been performed using the UIC High-Pressure Shock Tube (HPST) at pressures relevant to diesel combustion systems. The experimental pressures for these experiments ranged from 25 to 50 atm and temperatures varied from 1000 to 1350 K with reaction times ranging from 1 to 3 ms. Dilute reagent mixtures ∼100 ppm were prepared in bulk argon and shock heated to study the stable intermediates. The experimental data has been used to develop and validate an updated kinetic model for the pyrolysis of saturated and unsaturated C7 hydrocarbons. The experimental results and their implication on increased NO emissions from biodiesel blends will also be discussed.