VOCs, ignition temperatures

Ignition Temperatures for Typical Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)... 

The temperature of the gas entering the catalyst bed must be above the catalytic ignition temperature. This temperature varies with catalyst and VOC, and is typically in the range of 300° to 900°F. Catalytic ignition temperatures for several compounds on precious metal catalysts are given in Table 13-6. 

We have performed similar experiments using other compounds such as chlorobenzene, acetonitrile, and thiophene in simulated VOC streams and see similar high conversions (>99%) and no apparent catalyst deactivation due to Cl, S, or N. The most important variable in these experiments is temperature. High conversions are realized for all cases when the catalyst is ignited, although sufficient fuel must be supplied to the catalyst to maintain the temperature above the extinction temperature. 

Ignition point of filled HDPE, or HDPE-based composites, would be about the same provided that the material does not contain active flame retardants. Indeed, filled or not filled, HDPE in the material would still melt and emit flammable VOC (volatile organic compounds), which would ignite at a certain temperature point, close to that one for neat HDPE. A difference would depend mainly on the amount of HDPE in the material and the size of the sample. 

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