Shock wave studies in nitrogen + hydrogen systems. Part 4.—Thermal decomposition of ammonia

Abstract

The decomposition of ammonia has been studied in shock waves over the temperature range 2000–3000°K by following the NH₃ concentration using the infra-red emission at 3µ and the NH concentration using the ultra-violet absorption at 3360Å. The ammonia dissociates by the reaction, NH₃+Ar→NH₂+H+Ar, with a rate constant of 10^12.60 exp(–83 kcal/RT) l. mole^–1 sec^–1 and NH is formed by the sequence, NH₂+NH₃→N₂H₃ N₂H₃→NH+NH₂. The first reaction is rate controlling and has an activation energy of ca. 27 kcal/mole.