Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of solid petn

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of PETN below its melting point has been investigated. Separatemonitoring of six product gases allowed individual initial rates of reaction and activation energies to be calculated. The activation energies for the production of both N2O and H2O are between 50 and 56 kcal·mol-1, pointing to a single process operant over the entire temperature range 363-408 K. The other four observed products have activation energies that are significantly higher. The activation energies for CO2 and N2 formation are 65-66 kcal·mol-1 while those for the production of CO and [NO+NO2] are 71-75 kcal·mol-1. Whether these values represent two or only one additional mechanism is not clear, however, for the 2σ width uncertainty limits overlap. The processes or process involved in the formation of CO2, N2, CO, and [NO+NO2] appear(s) to change at 373 K, as a dramatic drop in activation energies is observed at lower temperatures. © 1982 Combustion Institute.