Water Vapor and Hydrogen Peroxide as Promoters of Acetylene Explosive Decay

Abstract

In this paper, we analyzed kinetic data using theoretical concepts regarding the dominant role of chain processes in gas combustion. It was concluded that water vapor and hydrogen peroxide vapor can have a promoting effect on the explosive decomposition of acetylene. This prediction contradicts earlier conclusions that were based on the thermal theory of combustion, which states that water can only exert a diluting effect on acetylene decomposition. Our statement was experimentally confirmed: at an ignition energy of 100 times lower than the initiation energy of the explosive acetylene decomposition at atmospheric pressure, it is possible to initiate it in the presence of water vapor and hydrogen peroxide. The obtained results do not contradict data in the literature and indicate that the acetylene explosiveness is largely determined by humidity.