Self-ignition of a lean mixture of n-pentane and air over a wide range of pressures

The shock-tube technique is used to measure the ignition delay time of a lean ((phi)=0.5) mixture of n-pentane and air in a wide range of temperatures from 867 to 1534 K and pressures from 11 to 530 atm. The previously developed detailed kinetic model of ignition of hydrocarbons [Kinet. Catal. (2005), in press] is used to interpret the experimental data. The kinetic model includes mechanisms of ignition at high and low temperatures and a mechanism of ignition in the range of intermediate (1000–1200 K) temperatures. Each of these mechanisms is analyzed. The effect of the mixture pressure on the ignition at a temperature of 1000–1100 K is demonstrated.