Could an expert please explain why alkanes are more prone to spontaneous combustion than aromatics? Thank you
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Could an expert please explain why alkanes are more prone to spontaneous combustion than aromatics? Thank you
Generally, alkanes are more easily oxidized than aromatics, and oils with a high content of alkanes have a lower auto-ignition point.
The lowest oil temperature at which spontaneous combustion can occur is called the autoignition point. Alkanes are more easily oxidized than aromatics; therefore, oils with a high content of alkanes have a lower autoignition point. However, their flash point is higher than that of oils with the same viscosity but a higher content of naphthenes and aromatics. Among similar hydrocarbons, as the relative molecular mass increases, the auto-ignition temperature decreases, while the flash point and ignition temperature increase. For hydrocarbons with the same number of carbon atoms, the order of their autoignition points is: alkanes, aromatics.