Propagation of Isothermal Flame in the Low-Pressure Thermal Decomposition of Nitrogen Trichloride

The inhibition and promotion of isothermal NCl₃ flame by NOCl and H₂, respectively, are explained. The crossover from the isothermal mode of flame propagation to the thermal one is analyzed for NCl₃–He mixtures. Calculations based on a kinetic mechanism taking into account energy chain branching are performed, and qualitative agreement between the calculated and observed data is demonstrated. The one-dimensional problem of chain–thermal flame propagation by a chain reaction involving a nonlinear-branching step has two solutions corresponding, one corresponding the isothermal mode of flame propagation and the other corresponding to the chain–thermal one. Nonlinear chain branching shortens the time needed for thermal ignition and increases the flammability of the combustible mixture.