The Interaction of Nitrogen Monoxide with Pyrolysed Polyacrylonitrile

  • David R. Cooper

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

Abstract

The object of the work described herein has been to
in­vestigate the interaction between nitrogen
monoxide (NO) and pyrolysed acrylonitrile copolymer (PAN.P). This interaction has been established
and studied in some detail over the tem­perature range 250 to 700°c. At the same time the
feasibility of using PAN.P based catalysts for the removal of small quantities of NO, produced by
the internal combustion engine, has been investigated.

The initial work was concerned with depositing a film of polyacrylonitrile from solution onto a pelletised alumina support and converting this into a supported PAN.P catalyst having optimum NO removal activity.

Kinetic studies indicated that at soo⁰c, 5,170 x 10-10 moles s-1m-2 of NO were removed when using 3,300 ppm NO in nitrogen flowing at 1000 cm3min-l through lOg of supported PAN.P. The NO removal rate increased with temperature giving activation energies between 33.9 and
39.9 kJ mole-1. The reaction appeared to be first order in concentration of NO and in surface area. Surface area
measurements which were vital, involved the construction of a semi-micro B.E.T. apparatus.

The activity of PAN.P was examined in the presence of other gases using both dynamic and static conditions. NO was not reduced by carbon monoxide in any significant quantity in the presence of PAN.P. Whilst activity persisted in the presence of oxygen, degradation occurred to an extent which renders the PAN.Pin its present form commercially unaccep­table
A detailed analysis of reaction products and an examination of various properties of PAN. Pare
reported. These results are used in a discussion of possible mechanisms of reaction
Date of AwardOct 1974
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Aston University

Keywords

  • nitrogen monoxide
  • pyrolysed polyacrylonitrile

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