Theory of branching reactions with chain interaction

Abstract

A number of branching schemes involving quadratic interactions is examined using the methods of non-linear stability theory. A critical value for the branching factor is derived exactly for a chain thermal explosion involving radical-radical termination and self-heating. A self-inhibited branching scheme is shown to exhibit oscillatory behaviour and a resemblance to the CO + O₂ kinetic scheme, where many successive glows have been observed, is pointed out.