Shock-initiated exothermic reactions. IV. The oxidation of carbon monoxide

Reflected shocks have been used to process mixtures of CO with O2 or N2O or NO in the presence of argon. Results for CO-O2 mixtures led to the value of 19.4 kcal/mole for the activation energy of the rate controlling reaction during the induction period to explosion. The presence of a small amount of hydrogen caused a marked decrease in the ignition delay and it is estimated that about 600 p.p.m. were sufficient for this effect to be significant. The ignition period to explosion of CO-N2O mixtures appeared to be governed by the rate of N2O decomposition. The measured value of the activation energy indicates that energy transfer from CO to NzO molecules has occurred. The influence of H2 on this system is reported also. No reaction was induced in CO-KO-Ar mixtures.