BRANCHED

CHAIN REACTION

Kinetics of branched chain

reaction
A
A+R
R

K1
K2

K3

R
P+R
Destruction

d[R]/dT = k1 [A]- k2[R][A]+ k2[R][A]-k3[R]

Assuming steady state approximation for the chain carrier, i.e.
d[R]/dT=0
[R]= k1 [A]/k2[A](1-)+k3
[R]= k1 [A]/k2[A](1-)+kw+ kg
= 1 non branched or stationary chain reaction
= branched chain or non stationary chain reaction

Contents
Introduction
Type of chain reaction
Kinetics of branched chain reaction
Example of branched chain reaction
Dependence of reaction on temperature and pressure
Factors Affecting Explosion Limit
References
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Introduction
Chain reaction :- A chain reaction is a sequence of
reactions where a reactive product or by-product causes
additional reactions to take place.
The main steps of chain reaction are the following:
Initiation
propagation
1) chain branching
2) chain transfer
Termination
Type of chain reaction:
1) branched chain reaction
2)Unbranched chain reaction
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Example of branched chain

reaction
The hydrogen oxygen reaction: 2H2(g) + O2(g) 2H2O(g)
1)H2+ wall

k1

H + H + wall

k2

2)H + O2

3)O +H2
4)OH + H2

k3
k4
k5

5)H + O2 + M
6)H + wall

k6
k7

7)O + wall
8)OH + wall

k8

(Initiation)

OH + O

(Branching)

OH + H

(Branching)

H + H2O

(Propagation)

HO2 + M
H-wall
O-wall
OH-wall

(Termination)
(Termination)
(Termination)
(Termination)

Dependence of reaction on
temperature and pressure
Very low pressure
First explosion limit ( Higher pressure)
Second explosion limit
Third explosion limit

Temperature
surface/volume ratio
Overall pressure

T/K
7

Log p/Pa

References
Physical Chemistry, P. W. Atkins, 8 th edition ,toipc kinetics
of chain reaction pg. 830-834.
Chemical kinetics by G. Pannetier& P.Souchay ,pg.211212.
Principles of Chemical Kinetics,2 th Edition,pg.136

THANK
YOU
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